John C. Kleczka

John Casimir Kleczka (May 6, 1885 – April 21, 1959) was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin. He was the first Polish American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

John C. Kleczka
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 4th district
In office March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923
Preceded by	William J. Cary
Succeeded by	John C. Schafer
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
In office 1909–1911
Personal details
Born	John Casimir Kleczka May 6, 1885 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died	April 21, 1959(1959-04-21) (aged 73) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Marquette University

Early life

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kleczka attended the parochial schools. He was graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1905. He took postgraduate courses at Catholic University at Washington, D.C., and at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1909 and commenced practice in Milwaukee.

Political and law career

He served in the Wisconsin State Senate 1909–1911.[1] He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912. He served as commissioner of the circuit court of Milwaukee County 1914–1918. He was a major judge advocate in the United States Army Reserves after the First World War.

Kleczka was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-sixth and Sixty-seventh congresses (March 4, 1919 – March 4, 1923) as the representative of Wisconsin's 4th congressional district.[2] He did not seek renomination in 1922 but returned to the practice of law.

After retirement, Kleczka was elected circuit court judge in 1930 and served until his retirement due to ill health in 1953. He was appointed a conciliation judge and court commissioner by the circuit judges in 1957 and served until his death.

Death

He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, April 21, 1959.[3] He was interred in St. Adalbert's Cemetery.

Notes

1. "Biographical Sketches". Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. State of Wisconsin. 1909. p. 1096. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Google Books.
2. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1921,' Biographical Sketch of John Klecza, pg. 243
3. "Judge Kleczka, Milwaukee, Dies". The Capital Times. Milwaukee. AP. April 22, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved July 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

Sources

• United States Congress. "John C. Kleczka (id: K000260)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by William J. Cary	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 4th congressional district March 4, 1919 – March 4, 1923	Succeeded by John C. Schafer