John Joseph Allen Jr. (November 27, 1899 – March 7, 1995) was the U.S. representative from California's 7th congressional district from January 3, 1947 to January 3, 1959. He is the last Republican to represent

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

and Berkeley in Congress. He served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1959 to 1961, helping to lay the groundwork for the future Department of Transportation. He retired to McCall, Idaho in 1970, where he later served as mayor from 1988 to 1992. During this time he was America's oldest mayor.

Early life and education

John J. Allen Jr. was born to John J. Allen Sr., an Alameda County Judge, in Oakland, California, on November 27, 1899. Allen Jr. graduated from public high school and while studying at Berkeley joined the United States Navy as an Apprentice seaman during World War I.

Career

After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1922, Allen Jr. was admitted to the California State Bar and commenced practice. Between 1923–1943 Allen Jr. served as a member of the Oakland Board of Education, serving several terms as president. He also served as the President of the California State School Trustees Association from 1936–1938, and as a member of the County Republican Central Committee from 1936–1944. In 1942, during World War II, Allen Jr. returned to the Navy, this time serving as a Lieutenant commander. He was discharged in 1945. After his military service, Allen Jr. served as the Vice-Chairman for the State Commission on School Districts, and in 1946 ran for Congress in California's 7th Congressional District after the retirement of Congressman John H. Tolan. Allen Jr. beat Democrat Patrick W. McDonough by 13,520 votes. Allen voted in favor of the

Civil Rights Act of 1957 The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first federal civil rights legislation passed by the United States Congress since the Civil Rights Act of 1875. The bill was passed by the 85th United States Congress and signed into law by President Dwigh ...

. After his unsuccessful re-election bid, Allen Jr. was appointed as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation on January 5, 1959, serving until 1961.

Later life

After his political career ended in 1961, John J. Allen Jr. resumed the practice of law until his retirement in 1969. He resided in McCall, Idaho, and at the age of 87 he was elected Mayor of McCall, serving until his death in 1995.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, John J. Jr. 1899 births 1995 deaths 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American lawyers Idaho Republicans Lawyers from Oakland, California Mayors of places in Idaho Military personnel from California People from McCall, Idaho Politicians from Oakland, California Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California School board members in California UC Berkeley School of Law alumni United States Navy officers United States Navy personnel of World War I United States Navy personnel of World War II United States Under Secretaries of Commerce