John Lesinski Sr.

John Lesinski Sr. (January 3, 1885 – May 27, 1950) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He was the father of John Lesinski Jr., who succeeded him in the United States House of Representatives.

John Lesinski Sr.
Frontispiece of 1951's John Lesinski, Late a Representative from Michigan
Member of the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's 16th congressional district
In office March 4, 1933 – May 27, 1950
Preceded by	None (District created)
Succeeded by	John Lesinski Jr.
Personal details
Born	John Lesinski (1885-01-03)January 3, 1885 Erie, Pennsylvania
Died	May 27, 1950(1950-05-27) (aged 65) Dearborn, Michigan
Political party	Democratic
Children	9 (including John Lesinski Jr.)
Education	Detroit Business University
Occupation	Lumber and building supply Home building

Early life

Lesinski was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on January 3, 1885, and his parents moved their family to Detroit, Michigan three months later.[1] He attended the school of St. Albertus Roman Catholic Church, SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, and Detroit Business University.[1]

Start of career

He engaged extensively in the building and real estate business in Detroit; established lumber and supply companies in Hamtramck and Dearborn areas of Detroit.[1] He was president of the Polish Citizens’ Committee of Detroit from 1919 to 1932,[1] and was credited with recruiting thousands of Polish-Americans and Polish-Canadians to join the military and fight against the Axis during World War I.[2] In addition, he was state commissioner in charge of the sale of bonds which raised funds for rebuilding Poland when the country was re-formed following World War I,[1] for which he was awarded the Polonia Restituta by the Polish Government.[1] He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1936, 1940, and 1944.[1] He was also a delegate to the Democratic State conventions in 1936, 1940, and 1944.[1]

Congress

In 1932, Lesinski was elected as a Democrat and the first person to represent Michigan's 16th congressional district to the 73rd United States Congress, and was reelected to the eight succeeding Congresses, serving in the U.S. House from March 4, 1933 until his death.[1]

He served as chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions in the 74th through 79th Congresses;[3] of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization in the 79th Congress,[3] and of the Committee on Education and Labor in the 81st Congress.[3]

Lesinski died in Dearborn, Michigan on May 27, 1950, and was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.[1]

Family

Lesinski was married three times.[2] His first wife, Stella died in 1919,[2] and his second wife, Barbara, died in 1937.[2] His third wife Estelle Geisinger, survived him.[2]

Lesinski was the father of nine children, seven of whom survived to adulthood—Joan, John, Maxine, Delphine, Raymond, Beverly, and Edwin.[2]

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)

References

1. John Lesinski, Late a Representative from Michigan, p. 5.
2. "Rites Set For Lesinski Wednesday", p. 4.
3. John Lesinski, Late a Representative from Michigan, p. 54.

Sources

Books

• John Lesinski, Late a Representative from Michigan. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. 1951.

Newspapers

"Rites Set For Lesinski Wednesday". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. May 28, 1950 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• United States Congress. "John Lesinski Sr. (id: L000251)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• John Lesinski at The Political Graveyard
• John Lesinski Sr. at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by None	United States Representative for the 16th Congressional District of Michigan 1933 – 1950	Succeeded by John Lesinski Jr.