John Joseph Allen Jr. (November 27, 1899 – March 7, 1995) was the U.S. representative from

California's 7th congressional district California's 7th congressional district is a United States congressional district in California. Ami Bera, a Democrat, has represented the district since January 2013. Currently, it encompasses southern Sacramento County, part of Yolo Coun ...

from January 3, 1947 to January 3, 1959. He is the last Republican to represent Oakland and

Berkeley Berkeley most often refers to: *Berkeley, California, a city in the United States **University of California, Berkeley, a public university in Berkeley, California * George Berkeley (1685–1753), Anglo-Irish philosopher Berkeley may also refer ...

in Congress. He served as

Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation A United States Under Secretary of Commerce is one of several positions in the United States Department of Commerce, serving under the United States Secretary of Commerce. History In June 1939, Edward J. Noble was appointed the first Under Secret ...

under President

Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...

from 1959 to 1961, helping to lay the groundwork for the future Department of Transportation. He retired to

McCall, Idaho McCall is a resort town on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, United States. Named after its founder, Tom McCall, it is situated on the southern shore of Payette Lake, near the center of the Payette National Forest. The population was 2,991 ...

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

joined the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

as an

Apprentice seaman Constructionman Apprenticevariation Fireman Apprenticevariation Airman Apprenticevariation Seaman Apprenticeinsignia Collarinsignia Seaman apprentice is the second lowest enlisted rate in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and ...

during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

Career

After graduating from

UC Berkeley School of Law The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (commonly known as Berkeley Law or UC Berkeley School of Law) is the law school of the University of California, Berkeley, a public research university in Berkeley, California. It is one of 1 ...

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 World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Allen Jr. returned to the Navy, this time serving as a

Lieutenant commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding ran ...

. 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 John Harvey Tolan (; January 15, 1877 – June 30, 1947) was an American lawyer and politician who served six terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1935 to 1947. Biography Born in St. Peter, Minnesota, Tolan attended the public ...

. Allen Jr. beat

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

Patrick W. McDonough by 13,520 votes. Allen voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. 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

, 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