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Blatnik, Jr., John Anton

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Chisholm
Chisholm, MN

Senate 1941-46 (District 60)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus

Counties Served:  St. Louis

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 08/17/1911 Date of Death: 12/17/1991
Birth Place: Chisholm, Minnesota Birth County: St. Louis Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Male Religion:  Not Reported
City of Residence (when first elected):  Chisholm

Occupation (when first elected):  High School Chemistry Teacher, Chisholm/Educational Administrator, St. Louis County Schools

EDUCATION

Chisholm Public Schools; Elementary School;
Chisholm High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1929
University of Chicago; Attended College; Summer 1938
State Teachers College, Winona; B.E.; With Distinction, June 1935
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Attended Graduate School; Minneapolis Campus, Public Administration, 1941-42

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

U.S. Executive BranchUnited States Civilian Conservation Corps, Minnesota (Superior National Forest) ??/??/1935 to ??/??/1937
School Board/AdministrationSt. Louis County, Minnesota (Assistant Superintendent of Schools) ??/??/1939 to ??/??/1941
MilitaryUnited States Army Air Forces/Corps and the Office of Strategic Services (World War II, Served Overseas, Yugoslavia and Italy; Lieutenant and Captain, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal Recipient) 08/??/1942 to 01/??/1946
U.S. Representative8th Congressional District, MinnesotaElected01/03/1947 to 12/31/1974

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (while in office); Gisela Hager (married on April 9, 1955; divorced); Evelyn Castiglioni (second wife)
Children: Three children (with his first wife, after he left office): Thomas H., Stephanie, and Valerie
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was of Yugoslavian ancestry.

"He championed liberal politics." (Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 1991)

He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party when he served in the United States Congress.

The John A. Blatnik bridge between between Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin was named after him in September 1971.

He died, from heart failure, at home in Forest Heights, Maryland.

Legislative Session: 54th (1945-1946) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/3/1942 Term of Office: 1/5/1943 to 1/6/1947
District: 60 Residence: Chisholm
Counties Represented: St. Louis
Occupation: High School Chemistry Teacher, Chisholm/Educational Administrator, St. Louis County Schools
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: "He championed liberal politics." (Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 1991)
Committees:
Corporations
Crime and Crime Prevention
Drainage
Labor
Public Institutions and Buildings
Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
Telephone and Telegraph
Legislative Session: 53rd (1943-1944)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/3/1942 Term of Office: 1/5/1943 to 1/6/1947
District: 60 Residence: Chisholm
Counties Represented: St. Louis
Occupation: High School Chemistry Teacher, Chisholm/Educational Administrator, St. Louis County Schools
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: "He championed liberal politics." (Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 1991)
Committees:
Corporations
Crime and Crime Prevention
Drainage
Labor
Public Institutions and Buildings
Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
Telephone and Telegraph
Session Notes: He was on active military duty during the 1943 session.
Legislative Session: 52nd (1941-1942) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/1940 Term of Office: 1/7/1941 to 1/4/1943 (Special Election)
District: 60 Residence: Chisholm
Counties Represented: St. Louis
Occupation: High School Chemistry Teacher, Chisholm/Educational Administrator, St. Louis County Schools
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: "He championed liberal politics." (Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 1991)
Committees:
Corporations
Crime and Crime Prevention
Drainage
Labor
Public Institutions and Buildings
Soldiers Bonus and Soldiers Home
Telephone and Telegraph
Session Notes: "In 1940, at the age of 29, he became the youngest member ever elected to the Minnesota State Senate." ("John A. Blatnik, 80, Congressman Who Promoted Public Works Bills." New York Times, 12/19/1991) His election date is uncertain due to the special election.

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books By
John A. Blatnik, Recorded Interview by Joseph E. O’Connor, February 4, 1966, John F. Kennedy Library Oral History Program.


Articles & Books About
Lambert, Bruce. "John A. Blatnik, 80, Congressman Who Promoted Public Works Bills (Obituary)." New York Times, December 19, 1991.

Haas, Cliff. "Former Rep. John Blatnik Dies (Obituary)." Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 1991. - Portions of the article are missing.

Shaffer, David. "Ex-8th District Rep. John Blatnik Dies at 80 (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 18, 1991.

"Blatnik, John Anton, (1911 - 1991)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.


Archive Collections
Blatnik, John Anton, 1911-1991: Guide to Research Collections - From the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
John A. Blatnik Congressional Papers, 1889-1991 (bulk 1947-1974) - Available in the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections


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