Summary
John Joseph McGrath (July 23, 1872 – August 25, 1951) was a U.S. Representative from California for three terms from 1933 to 1939.
John J. McGrath | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th district | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – March 4, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur M. Free |
| Succeeded by | Jack Z. Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Joseph McGrath July 23, 1873 Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | August 25, 1952 (aged 79) San Mateo, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
Biography edit
Born in Limerick, Ireland, he immigrated to the United States at the age of seventeen, living initially in Chicago. He studied law briefly and worked as a salesman and sales manager for many years, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1896.
In California he served as postmaster of San Mateo from 1916 to 1925, and as a justice of the peace in San Mateo County from 1928 to 1932.
Congress edit
In 1932 he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, defeating incumbent Arthur M. Free in the 8th district, which ran from San Mateo County south across Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties. He served three full terms from 1933 to 1939, but was defeated for reelection in 1938 by Republican Jack Z. Anderson.
Later career and death edit
Subsequently, he served as commissioner for immigration and naturalization in San Francisco from 1939 to 1940 before retiring. He died in 1951 in San Mateo.
Electoral history edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John J. McGrath | 65,455 | 56.9% | |||
| Republican | Arthur M. Free (Incumbent) | 49,487 | 43.1% | |||
| Total votes | 114,942 | 100.0% | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John J. McGrath (Incumbent) | 107,325 | 100.0% | |
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John J. McGrath (Incumbent) | 78,557 | 57.6% | |
| Republican | Alonzo L. Baker | 57,808 | 43.4% | |
| Total votes | 136,365 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Z. Anderson | 84,084 | 55% | |||
| Democratic | John J. McGrath (Incumbent) | 68,681 | 45% | |||
| Total votes | 152,765 | 100% | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Z. Anderson (Incumbent) | 148,180 | 96.7% | |
| Communist | Elizabeth Nichols | 5,186 | 3.3% | |
| Democratic | John J. McGrath (write-in) | 37 | 0.1% | |
| Total votes | 153,403 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
References edit
- United States Congress. "John J. McGrath (id: M000457)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.