John J. Blaine

"John Blaine" redirects here. For those of a similar name, see John Blain (disambiguation).

John James Blaine
United States Senator from Wisconsin
In office March 4, 1927 – March 4, 1933
Preceded by	Irvine Lenroot
Succeeded by	Francis R. Duffy
Personal details
Born	May 4, 1875(1875-05-04) Wingville, Wisconsin
Died	April 16, 1934(1934-04-16) (aged 58) Boscobel, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican

John James Blaine (May 4, 1875 – April 16, 1934) was the 24th Governor of Wisconsin and a United States Senator. He served as Mayor of Boscobel, on the Grant County Board of Supervisors, Wisconsin Attorney General, and in the Wisconsin State Senate. He was born in Wingville, Grant County, Wisconsin and died in Boscobel, Wisconsin, where he was buried.

Blaine was the Republican Governor of Wisconsin from 1921 to 1927. In 1926, he defeated the Progressive Republican senator Irvine Lenroot in the primary, winning the general election with 55% of the vote against a weak Democratic candidate and strong Independent and Socialist Party candidates.

Blaine was the only senator to vote against ratification of the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which was approved 85-1. He is also the author of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, which had prohibited intoxicating liquors.

In 1932, Blaine was defeated in the Republican primary by John B. Chapple, who was then defeated in the general election by F. Ryan Duffy, as part of massive Democratic victories in the national elections that year.

References

There is some argument as to where Blaine was raised: It is said that he was born in Wingville, WI, and some sources actually credit Iowa County as his place of rearing; however, it is known that his parents resided in Boscobel, WI, during all/most of his childhood. The family lived in the former John Barnett residence, on Superior Street; and during his adult life he built his own home in the same city, which is now the Mike Reynolds property on East Oak Street. He lived in that home during his entire political career, and until his death in 1934. It is possible that his birthplace was simply the home of a relative.

The Blaine Theatre and Gymnasium in Boscobel were built in the late-1930's, and dedicated in Blaine's name; as was the former five-span steel bridge which crossed the Wisconsin River, one-mile to the North of the city. The theatre and gymnasium are still functional, and used to this day; but the Blaine Bridge was replaced in 2000, by a new structure.

External links

• Obituary "James J. Blaine, former US senator and governor", Fennimore Times, April 18, 1934.
• John J. Blaine at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Political offices
Preceded by Emanuel L. Philipp	Governor of Wisconsin 1921–1927	Succeeded by Fred R. Zimmerman
United States Senate
Preceded by Irvine L. Lenroot	United States Senator (Class 3) from Wisconsin March 4, 1927 – March 4, 1933 Served alongside: Robert M. La Follette, Jr.	Succeeded by F. Ryan Duffy