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Bartel J. Jonkman

1884 – 1955

American politician

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About Bartel J. Jonkman

Lived 1884 – 1955 (aged 71). Bartel J. Jonkman was an American politician and lawyer.

Bartel John Jonkman (April 28, 1884 – June 13, 1955) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Jonkman was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attended the public schools. He was of Dutch descent. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1914, was admitted to the bar the same year, and commenced practice in Grand Rapids. He served as assistant prosecutor of Kent County from 1915 to 1920, and as prosecuting attorney from 1929 to 1936.

Following the death of U.S. Representative Carl E. Mapes, in December 1939, a special election was held on February 19, 1940, to fill the vacancy. Jonkman was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 5th congressional district to the 76th United States Congress, serving from February 19, 1940, to January 3, 1949. In the 1948 Republican primary, he was defeated for re-nomination by Gerald Ford, then 34 years old, who eventually served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977.

A confidential 1943 analysis of the House Foreign Affairs Committee by Isaiah Berlin for the British Foreign Office described Jonkman as

Bartel J. Jonkman had become unpopular largely due to his isolationist position on foreign policy. He resumed the practice of law and died in Grand Rapids. He was interred there in Woodlawn Cemetery.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Michigan Law School, University of Michigan, Primary school
Positions held
United States representative, Deputy, Prosecutor
Also known as
Bartel John Jonkman

People in Bartel J. Jonkman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bartel J. Jonkman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bartel J. Jonkman?

American politician (1884-1955)

When was Bartel J. Jonkman born?

Bartel J. Jonkman was born on 28 April 1884 in Grand Rapids.

When did Bartel J. Jonkman die?

Bartel J. Jonkman died on 13 June 1955 in Grand Rapids.

What was Bartel J. Jonkman's occupation?

Bartel J. Jonkman was a politician and lawyer.

What nationality was Bartel J. Jonkman?

Bartel J. Jonkman was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bartel J. Jonkman

· Wikidata: Q514759

· DBpedia: Bartel J. Jonkman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bartel J. Jonkman. https://biography.guide/bartel-j-jonkman/

MLA: "Bartel J. Jonkman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bartel-j-jonkman/.

Chicago: "Bartel J. Jonkman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bartel-j-jonkman/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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