John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr.

Biographical Information

The Honorable John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr. was born May 10, 1925 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin.  He was the son of and John C. and Elinor (Gallun) Pritzlaff, Sr.  A 4 year 9 month old John Pritzlaff was noted with his parents and older sisters at 580 Bradford Street in the 1930 federal census of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin but entry for the entire family was crossed through and another entry was found for the family in Chenequa, Waukesha Co., Wisconsin (unfortunately indexed Pretzraff).  John's father's business was wholesale hardware.

"John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr."  The Arizona Republic, May 5, 2005, p. B 11 notes that he attended Milwaukee Country Day School and then went on to graduate from St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts in 1943.  He then spent 18 months at Princeton University "before enlisting in The United States Army Intelligence Corps. During World War II he served in Europe and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant."

After the war he returned to Princeton and, according to his Arizona Legislative Biography sheets, he received his B.A. in 1949.  He married Mary Dell Olin on February 10, 1951 in Alton, Madison Co., Illinois.

According to Amy Rabideau Silvers.  "Milwaukee’s Pritzlaff made name in Arizona."  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 10, 2005, John Pritzlaff went to work in "the hardware business started by his great-grandfather, also named John, in 1850."

In 1958, John sold and closed down the business and he and his wife moved to Arizona and he quickly settled into political life in the state.  In the November 6, 1962 General Election, John Pritzlaff, Jr. was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives from Maricopa District 25.  He continued to be re-elected and served in the 26th through the 1st Regular Session of the 29th Legislature, 1963-1969.

Rep. John Pritzlaff, Jr. was named U.S. Ambassador to The Republic of Malta on July 8, 1969 and he submitted his resignation which was not noted in the House Journals until January 5, 1970.  He was replaced as Representative for Maricopa District 8-C by Peter Kay who took the oath of office on July 21, 1969 but was not seated until January 5, 1970 (Journal of the House of Representatives, 29th Legislature, 1st Special Session, 1970, pp. 7-8)  John left the post of Ambassador on February 24, 1972 and brought his family back to Arizona.

"John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr."  The Arizona Republic, May 5, 2005, p. B 11 notes that in 1974, he was appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor.  This must have been after the close of the 2nd Special Session of the 31st Legislature on June 26, 1974 since it is not noted in the Senate Journal.  Sandra Day O'Connor was elected judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court.  In any event, there were no additional Legislative Sessions in 1974 so the next notice of John Pritzlaff was on January 13, 1975, the first day of the 1st Regular Session of the 32nd Legislature when the Committee of Credentials included "John C. Pritzlaff, Jr. (District 24)" on the list of people "duly elected to the Senate on the 5th day of November, 1974." (Journal of the Senate, 32nd Legislature, 1st Regular Session, 1975, p. 11).  Amy Rabideau Silvers.  "Milwaukee’s Pritzlaff made name in Arizona."  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 10, 2005 notes:  "Pritzlaff served eight years in the Arizona Senate, including as minority whip, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.  He retired in 1982."

"John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr."  The Arizona Republic, May 5, 2005, p. B 11 adds:  "In 1986, John was knighted in the order of St. John at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, California in recognition of his years of public service and philanthropy."

The Honorable John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr. died May 2, 2005 at his vacation home in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Co., California.

"Pritzlaff 's legacy would be a worthy goal for today's legislators."  The Arizona Republic, May 7, 2005, p. B 6 adds this footnote:   "He didn't make a lot of headlines, but his legacy as a hard-working legislator known for his gentlemanly ways and keen intellect is secure."

Military Experience

U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, World War II veteran:  "During World War II he served in Europe and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant" ("John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr."  The Arizona Republic, May 5, 2005, p. B 11)

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: Arizona Legislative Biography sheet; Death:  obituary:  Amy Rabideau Silvers.  "Milwaukee’s Pritzlaff made name in Arizona."  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 10, 2005:  "He died of a blood disorder May 2 at a vacation home in Santa Barbara, Calif.", two memorial services were planned:  1st in California May 8th and 2nd in Arizona May 11th; Military Service:  obituary:  "John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr."  The Arizona Republic, May 5, 2005, p. B 11, a newspaper clipping attached to one of the Arizona Legislative Biography sheets indicates that he had been in Navy (sic) Intelligence but two obituaries indicate Army Intelligence; Occupation(s):  Arizona Legislative Biography sheet and obituaries