Joseph J. Yosko Explained

Joseph J. Yosko
Office:Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 18th district
Term Start:1949
Term End:1958
Predecessor:Carleton T. Woodring
Successor:Fred B. Rooney
Office1:Hearing Examiner
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Term Start1:1934
Term End1:1936
Office2:Administrative Director
Pennsylvania Auditor General
Term Start2:1936
Term End2:1940
Office3:Director of Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation
Bureau of Disbursements
Pennsylvania Treasurer
Term Start3:1940
Term End3:1944
Office4:Executive Director
Pennsylvania Auditor General
Term Start4:1944
Term End4:1948
Office5:President
Young Democrats of America
Pennsylvania Chapter
Term Start5:1940
Term End5:1942
Birth Date:November 1, 1903
Birth Place:Jeanesville, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Party:Democrat
Spouse:Gertrude Reynolds
Alma Mater:Moravian College
National University School of Law

Joseph J. Yosko was an American politician who represented the Lehigh Valley in the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 18th district as a Democrat from 1949 until his death in 1958. He also served in numerous department offices starting in 1934.[1]

Early life

Yosko was born in Jeanesville, Pennsylvania on November 1, 1903, to Michael and Mary Yosko. While he was still a child his family moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Yosko attended a Parochial school. He served a four-year Apprenticeship to become a machinist at the Bethlehem Steel corporation. He then returned to school and got his high school diploma from Bethlehem High school and attended Moravian College. Then he attended Penn State Dickinson Law before transferring to National University School of Law where he earned his Legum Doctor.

Career

Upon completing his law degree he worked as a clerk for Northampton County District Attorney's office and worked for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. He then worked as State Senator Warren R. Roberts' secretary, introducing him to his political career. He worked as the Hearing Examiner for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue from 1934 to 1936. He then served as the administrative director for the Pennsylvania Auditor General from 1936 to 1940. He then served as Director of Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation for the Bureau of Disbursements for the Pennsylvania Treasurer from 1940 to 1944. Returning to the Auditor General's office, he served as executive director from 1944 to 1948. He was the state president for the Young Democrats of America from 1940 to 1942. Yosko served as the state chairman for the Democratic Registration Campaign Committee in 1947, was the District Vice-chair Democratic State Committee, Executive Director Democratic Society of Pennsylvania and the Chairman of the Bethlehem Democratic committee. He also served as Secretary of the Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers. Yosko would be elected to the State Senate in 1949 and served for 9 years and 10 months until his death on September 19, 1958. His vacancy would be filled by Fred B. Rooney following a special election.

Personal life

Yosko spoke at the 1952 commencement for Bethlehem Catholic High School awarding the award for proficiency In stenography to Jean M. Puraell.[2] Yosko married Gertrude Née Reynolds.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joseph J Yosko . . 2 April 2023.
  2. Web site: The Catholic Standard and Times, Volume 57, Number 38, 20 June 1952 . . 2 April 2023.