J. Irving Whalley

"John Whalley" redirects here. For the 17th-century English Member of Parliament, see John Whalley (MP).
Irving Whalley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th district
In office
January 3, 1963  January 3, 1973
Preceded by Ivor Fenton
Succeeded by John Saylor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office
November 8, 1960  January 3, 1963
Preceded by Douglas Elliott
Succeeded by Robert Corbett
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 36th district
In office
January 3, 1955  August 18, 1960[1]
Preceded by Fred Hare
Succeeded by Stanley Stroup
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Somerset County district
In office
January 1, 1951  November 30, 1954
Personal details
Born September 14, 1902
Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
Died March 8, 1980 (aged 77)
Pompano Beach, Florida
Political party Republican
Occupation Mechanic, Salesman, Businessman

John Irving Whalley (September 14, 1902 March 8, 1980) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Early life and business activities

J. Irving Whalley was born in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania. He took his first job at age 10 in a Windber, Pennsylvania grocery store. By age 14 he was working at the local Ford garage.

Twelve years later he owned the dealership, after having worked as a mechanic, salesman, bookkeeper, delivery man and driving instructor. Whalley purchased a second dealership three years later, and would open or acquire 11 more before World War II. He eventually established a chain of 13 automobile dealerships in central and western Pennsylvania.

Public service

Whalley campaigned on issues related to the automotive industry. He fought against taxes that were considered unfair to new car buyers. Whalley also secured support for improvements to the Pennsylvania turnpike and campaigned for better highways everywhere.

He was a member of advisory board of Johnstown College branch of the University of Pittsburgh. He was chairman of the Somerset County Redevelopment Authority and the Windber Planning Commission. He served as a member of the Windber School Board from 1935 to 1947. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, representing one of Somerset County's at-large seats, from 1951 to 1954. He also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1955 to 1960, representing the 36th district. He was appointed by President Richard Nixon to serve as delegate to United Nations for the 1969 session.

U.S. House of Representatives

He was elected as a Republican to the Eighty-sixth Congress, originally by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Doug Elliott. He was subsequently reelected to the five succeeding Congresses. He retired in 1972. The following year, Whalley pleded guilty to obstruction of justice, was fined $11,000 and served three years probation. He had been accused of taking staff salary kickbacks, but said the money was used for office purposes only.[2]

Later

He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1981. Whalley died at the age of 77 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown.

References

  1. Cox, Harold. "Pennsylvania Senate- 1959-1960" (PDF). Pennsylvania State Legislature: Members, Districts and Party Affiliations by Session, 1790 - 2004. Wiles University. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ivor Fenton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district

19631973
Succeeded by
John Saylor
Preceded by
Douglas Elliott
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district

19601963
Succeeded by
Robert Corbett
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Fred Hare
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 36th District
19551960
Succeeded by
Stanley Stroup