John M. Zwach Explained

John M. Zwach Sr.
Birth Date:February 8, 1907
Birth Place:Gales Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, U.S.
Death Place:Lucan, Minnesota, U.S.
State:Minnesota
District:6th
Term Start:January 3, 1967
Term End:January 3, 1975
Predecessor:Alec G. Olson
Successor:Richard Nolan
Office2:Minnesota Senate Majority Leader
Term Start2:January 6, 1959
Term End2:January 2, 1967
Predecessor2:Archie H. Miller
Successor2:Stanley W. Holmquist
Office3:Member of the Minnesota State Senate
Term Start3:January 7, 1947
Term End3:January 2, 1967
Successor3:Carl Jensen
Office4:Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Term Start4:January 8, 1935
Term End4:January 6, 1947
Party:Republican
Occupation:School Principal
Teacher
Alma Mater:University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Spouse:Agnes
Children:5, including Barbara

John Matthew Zwach Sr. (February 8, 1907  - November 11, 1990) was an American farmer, rural school teacher, and politician. Zwach was most notably a U.S. Representative from Minnesota, serving four terms from 1967 to 1975. He also served for several terms in the Minnesota legislature.

Biography

Zwach was born in Gales Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, the son of Austrian immigrants. He attended the public schools and graduated from Milroy High School in 1926. He then received a teaching certificate from Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato) in 1927 and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1933. He worked as a school teacher and superintendent for fourteen years and was also an active farmer.

State legislature

Zwach served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1934 to 1946. He was a member of the Minnesota Senate from 1946 to 1966 and was the majority leader from 1959 to 1966, leading the Conservative Caucus in the nonpartisan body. He was also a member of the Interim Agriculture Commission, 1955 - 1957.

Congress

He was elected as a Republican to the 90th, 91st, 92nd and 93rd congresses, (January 3, 1967  - January 3, 1975). He was not a candidate for reelection in 1974.

Retirement and death

He was a resident of Lucan, Minnesota until his death on November 11, 1990. He was buried at St. Michael's Cemetery.

Family

His daughter, Barb Sykora, served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007.

References