John B. Pelletier

John B. Pelletier
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 44th district
In office
January 7, 1935 - November 29, 1946
Preceded byClare Woolwine
Succeeded byEdward E. Elliott
Personal details
Born(1884-09-22)September 22, 1884
DiedNovember 29, 1946(1946-11-29) (aged 62)
PartyDemocratic
EducationRicker Classical Institute
Bates College
Boston University School of Law
Institute for Religious Science and Philosophy

John B. Pelletier (born September 22, 1884 - November 29, 1946) was a Canadian-born[1] American politician who served in the California State Assembly for the 44th district from 1935 to 1946.[2] He immigrated to the United States in 1895.[3]

Pelletier is notable for the fact that, in 1934, he was a "bum" on Skid Row in Los Angeles when master lobbyist Arthur Samish cleaned him up and successfully ran him for the State Assembly.[4] He was one of two dozen "EPIC Democrats" elected to the state legislature in 1934.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Vassar, Alexander C. (2011). Legislators of California (PDF). Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  2. ^ "Join California - John B. Pelletier". joincalifornia.com.
  3. ^ Jordan, Frank C. (1942). California Blue Book, 1942. Sacramento: California State Printing Office. p. 67. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  4. ^ Samish, Arthur H.; Thomas, Bob (1971). The Secret Boss of California: The Life and High Times of Art Samish. New York: Crown Publishers.
  5. ^ "Olson Wins Over Cobb in State Senate Race, but G.O.P. Majority Assured". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. November 8, 1934. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Greg (1992). The Campaign of the Century. New York: Random House. p. 545–546.