Frank William Towey Jr.

Frank W. Towey Jr.
Frank W. Towey Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from New Jersey's 12th district
	In office; January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	Frederick R. Lehlbach
Succeeded by	Robert Kean
Personal details
Born	November 5, 1895; Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	September 4, 1979 (aged 83); Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	College of the Holy Cross (BA); Fordham University (LLB)

Frank William Towey Jr. (November 5, 1895 – September 4, 1979) was an American lawyer and politician. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served as the United States representative from New Jersey's 12th congressional district for one term from 1937 to 1939.^[1]

Background

Towey was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. After attending Manresa Hall Grammar School and St. Peter's Preparatory School, Towey went on to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1916. Towey then attended the Fordham University School of Law, graduating in 1919.^[2] He was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in the United States Army in September 1918, and he served until he was honorably discharged in January 1919.^[2] He was admitted to the bar in 1920 and started his law practice in Newark, New Jersey.

Politics

In 1936, the Democrat Towey decided to run for the House of Representatives seat for New Jersey's 12th congressional district. He was set to face eleven-term incumbent Republican Frederick R. Lehlbach. In a very close election, Towey beat the incumbent Lehlbach, capturing 54,688 votes in comparison to his 54,363, giving Towey a 49.9%-49.6% victory.^[3] Towey would only serve one term in the House of Representatives. In the 1938 House elections, Towey faced Republican challenger Robert W. Kean, a member of the New Jersey Kean political family. Towey lost to Kean by a nearly 14% margin.^[4]

Towey resumed his law practice in Newark. From 1940 to 1947, he served as a member of the state's Selective Appeal Board. In 1943, he became assistant to the United States Attorney General, remaining in this position until 1955.^[2]

Death

Towey died in Montclair, New Jersey, on September 4, 1979, at the age of 83.^[1] His ashes were interred in Acacia Memorial Park, near Seattle, Washington.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Frank William Towey Jr. Profile". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Frank William Towey Jr. Profile". United States Congress. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
^ John L. Moore, ed. (1994). Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly. p. 1543. ISBN 0-87187-996-4. pg. 1181
^ Moore (1994), pg. 1186

External links

United States Congress. "Frank William Towey Jr. (id: T000323)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Frank William Towey Jr. at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Frederick R. Lehlbach	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 12th congressional district 1937–1939	Succeeded by Robert Kean