John Henry Marsalis (May 9, 1904 – June 26, 1971) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from Colorado from 1949 to 1951.[1]

John H. Marsalis
From 1949's Pictorial Directory of the Eighty-First Congress
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951
Preceded byJohn Edgar Chenoweth
Succeeded byJohn Edgar Chenoweth
Personal details
BornMay 9, 1904
McComb, Pike County, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedJune 26, 1971 (aged 67)
Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.
Resting placeRoselawn Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Mississippi, University of Colorado Law School

Early life and education

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Born in McComb, Pike County, Mississippi, Marsalis attended the public schools of McComb, Mississippi.[1] He moved with his parents to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1922, reportedly for the benefit of his father's health.[1][2] He graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1923[2] and enrolled as a student at the University of Mississippi in 1925 and 1926. He graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 1934.[1]

Career

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He was admitted to the bar on March 14, 1935, and commenced the practice of law in Pueblo, Colorado. He was an investigator in district attorney's office in Pueblo in 1935 and 1936.[1]

Military service

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He entered the United States Army on May 11, 1942, assigned to the Weather Squadron, United States Army Air Forces, and was discharged on June 16, 1945.[1] He was a sergeant while running for office in November 1944.[3]

Political career

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Marsalis was elected district attorney, tenth judicial district of Colorado, in 1944 and took oath of office while on furlough on January 9, 1945. He assumed his duties upon release from Army and served until December 1948.[1]

Marsalis was elected as a Democrat to the 81st Congress (January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1950 to the 82nd Congress and for election in 1952 to the 83rd Congress.[1]

He was appointed city attorney on December 15, 1952, and served in that capacity until elected district judge, tenth judicial district of Colorado, in November 1954. He served in that office until his retirement on February 28, 1962.[1]

Personal life

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He was unmarried.[2] He lived in Pueblo, Colorado, where he died June 26, 1971. He was interred in Roselawn Cemetery.[1]

Electoral history

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1948 United States House of Representatives elections[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John H. Marsalis 65,114 51%
Republican John Chenoweth (Incumbent) 63,312 49%
Total votes 128,426 100%
Democratic gain from Republican
1950 United States House of Representatives elections[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Chenoweth 58,831 52%
Democratic John H. Marsalis (Incumbent) 55,110 48%
Total votes 113,941 100%
Republican gain from Democratic
1952 United States House of Representatives elections[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Chenoweth (Incumbent) 84,739 58%
Democratic John H. Marsalis 62,025 42%
Total votes 146,764 100%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j
    • United States Congress. "John H. Marsalis (id: M000144)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  2. ^ a b c Congress, United States (1949). Official Congressional Directory. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 17.
  3. ^ "Soldier Elect Sheriff", Fort Collins Express-Courier, Fort Collins, Colorado, November 30, 1944, page 13. (subscription required)
  4. ^ "1948 Election Results" (PDF).
  5. ^ "1950 Election Results" (PDF).
  6. ^ "1952 Election Results" (PDF).
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 3rd congressional district

1949–1951
Succeeded by