John Christian Kunkel

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John Christian Kunkel (September 18, 1816–October 14, 1870) was a Whig and Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. He was the grandfather of John Crain Kunkel.

John Christian Kunkel was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (later Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania). In 1839, he studied law at the Carlisle Law School. He was admitted to the Dauphin County bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Harrisburg. He served in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1844, 1845, and again in 1850, and was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1851 to 1853. He served as speaker in 1852 and 1853.

Kunkel was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress. He was chairman of the United States House Committee on Militia during the Thirty-fourth Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1858. He is interred at Harrisburg Cemetery.


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Preceded by
Ner Middleswarth		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district
1855-1859		 Succeeded by
John W. Killinger