Biography

09/24/1886 - 03/28/1965

John James McClure (R9) Delaware County 1929-1936

Early Life:

John James McClure, born September 24, 1886, Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; son of William James and Sabina McClay McClure; Swarthmore Preparatory School, 1905; attended, Swarthmore College, left institution, to take care of his deceased father’s business interests, 1907; president, McClure and Company, Pennsylvania Paving Company, Chester Materials Company; vice president, director, Consumers Ice and Coal Company; treasurer, director, Allison Steel Products Company; director, Cambridge Trust Company, First National Bank of Chester; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1929-1936; married, Alice Jennings McClure, daughter, Marjorie Holmes McClure Hotchner; died, March 28, 1965 (aged 78), Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; interment, Chester Rural Cemetery, Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, 32nd degree Mason, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Pennsylvania Politics: 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 9th district, Delaware County, 1929-1936; lost reelection 1936, Weldon Brinton Heyburn. 

Legacy:

On November 23, 1933, McClure along with 69 associates were found guilty in federal court of vice and rum running. Sentenced, 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine but did not serve one day nor pay the fine because of the repeal of the 18th Amendment, United States Constitution. Trial occurred after repeal had been voted on. His appeal to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals was upheld on this technicality and came within the decision of the United States Supreme Court that all liquor prosecutions pending on the date of repeal of prohibition were to be thrown out. 

After conviction, an effort was made to remove him, Pennsylvania Senate, effort failed. Lost, reelection, Weldon Brinton Heyburn, due to public outcry over his protected status and ability to avoid imprisonment, 1936. 

In the 1960 presidential campaign, Richard Nixon stopped his motorcade as it moved down Providence Avenue in front of McClure's house and went up to the porch to shake McClure's hand.  

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Old Chester, PA: Biographical Sketches: John J. McClure (oldchesterpa.com)

John James McClure (1886-1965) - Find a Grave Memorial