J. Allen Frear Jr.

Joseph Allen Frear Jr. (March 7, 1903 – January 15, 1993) was an American businessman and politician. A Democrat, he served as a United States senator from Delaware from 1949 to 1961. He was defeated for a third term by Republican Governor J. Caleb Boggs in 1960.

Early life J. Allen Frear was born on a farm near Rising Sun, in Kent County, Delaware, to Joseph Allen and Clara (née Lowber) Frear. His mother died in 1922, and his father subsequently married her brother's daughter. Frear was a distant relative of Robert E. Freer, who served as chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. Following his graduation, he became operator of three farms and president of a retail business that distributed milk, fuel, farm machinery, and fertilizer. while not voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Frear narrowly lost his bid for a third term in 1960 to Republican Governor J. Caleb Boggs. In all, he served in the Senate from January 3, 1949, to January 3, 1961. After he left the Senate, President John F. Kennedy appointed him to the Securities and Exchange Commission, where he served from 1961 until 1963. Later he resumed his career in business and banking.

Death and legacy Frear died at Dover and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Camden, Delaware. The J. Allen Frear Federal Building at 300 South New Street in Dover is named in his honor. There is also an Allen Frear Elementary School in Camden.

Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesU.S. SenatorLegislature WashingtonJanuary 3, 1949 January 3, 1955U.S. SenatorLegislature WashingtonJanuary 3, 1955January 3, 1961

United States congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1949–195181stU.S. SenateDemocraticHarry S. Trumanclass 21951–195382ndU.S. SenateDemocraticHarry S. Trumanclass 21953–195583rdU.S. SenateRepublicanDwight D. Eisenhowerclass 21955–195784thU.S. SenateDemocraticDwight D. Eisenhowerclass 21957–195985thU.S. SenateDemocraticDwight D. Eisenhowerclass 21959–196186thU.S. SenateDemocraticDwight D. Eisenhowerclass 2

Election resultsYearOfficeSubjectPartyVotes%OpponentPartyVotes%1948U.S. SenatorJ. Allen Frear Jr.Democratic71,88851%C. Douglass BuckRepublican68,24648%1954U.S. SenatorJ. Allen Frear Jr.Democratic82,51157%Herbert B. WarburtonRepublican62,38943%1960U.S. SenatorJ. Allen Frear Jr.Democratic96,09049%J. Caleb BoggsRepublican98,87451%