BABKA, JOHN JOSEPH (16 Mar. 1884-22 Mar. 1937) was a leader in Cleveland's Czech community who served a single term in Congress. Born in old NEWBURGH, he was the son of Bohemian immigrants Frank and Mary Babka. He completed his education at night while working in a foundry, graduating from Cleveland Law School (see CLEVELAND STATE UNIV.) and being admitted to the bar in 1908. After serving as special counsel for the Ohio Attorney General in 1911-12, he became an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cuyahoga County from 1912-19. A Democrat, Babka was elected to the 66th Congress in 1918 and defeated for reelection in 1920. He also served as a delegate to Democratic national conventions in 1920 and 1932. He became president of the League of Czech Democratic Clubs in 1934. He was appointed deputy superintendent of buildings and loans in 1935 to assist in liquidating the City Savings & Loan Co. Buried in Calvary Cemetery, Babka was survived by his wife and 3 children: Mrs. Virginia Tomasch, Mrs. Hortense Horak, and John J., Jr. His widow, Marie H. Babka, served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in the late 1940s and a member of the Electoral College in 1948. John J. Babka, Jr., was also a state representative in the early 1940s.
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