John J. Allen Jr.

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John J. Allen Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 7th district
In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	John H. Tolan
Succeeded by	Jeffery Cohelan
Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation
In office January 5, 1959 – January 20, 1961
Preceded by	Louis S. Rothschild
Succeeded by	Clarence D. Martin Jr.
Member and President of the Oakland Board of Education
In office 1923–1943
Mayor of McCall, Idaho
In office 1988–1992
Personal details
Born	November 27, 1899 Oakland, California
Died	March 7, 1995(1995-03-07) (aged 95) McCall, Idaho
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1942–1945
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Battles/wars	World War I World War II

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.^[1] He is the last Republican to represent Oakland and Berkeley in Congress.^[2]

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.

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.^[1]

After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1922, Allen Jr. was admitted to the California State Bar and commenced practice. Between 1923 and 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 to 1938, and as a member of the County Republican Central Committee from 1936 to 1944.^[1]

In 1942, during World War II, Allen Jr. returned to the Navy, this time serving as a Lieutenant commander. He was discharged in 1945.^[1]

After his military service, Allen Jr. served as the vice-chairman for the State Commission on School Districts,^[1] 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.^[3] Allen voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[4]

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.

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.^[2]