J. Irving Whalley was born in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania to Isabella (née Ashurst) and James H. Whalley, both English immigrants.[1][2] 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 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, and was a high-ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee. He retired in 1972.[4]
The following year, Whalley was accused of taking staff salary kickbacks, but said the money was used for office purposes only. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice, was fined $11,000 and served three years probation.[5]
^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.
