In American history, there are many fine instances of talented teachers who have left the classroom to become very fine legislators. One example of this is John Matthew Zwach, Sr., a rural teacher from Minnesota who also served in the US House of Representatives.

John was born on February 8, 1907, in Gales Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, the son of immigrants from Austria. As a boy, he attended public schools, graduating from Milroy High School in 1926.

In 1927, John earned his teaching credential from Mankato State College, now known as Minnesota State University, Mankato, although he didn’t earn his Bachelor’s degree until 1933. After his college graduation, John devoted fourteen years of his life as a teacher in a rural school and as a principal. He was also a farmer during this period, and was a member of his local Farm Bureau, the National Farm Organization, and the Farmers Union.

From 1934 to 1946, John served in the Minnesota House of Representatives. From 1946 to 1966, he served in the Minnesota State Senate, serving as majority leader from 1959 to 1966. While in the State Senate, he served on three committees: the Committees for Education, Public Highways, and Agriculture. He wrote many bills related to agricultural interests, and he was the chief author of the bill to establish Southwest Minnesota State University. John continued this work when he was elected to the US Congress on the Republican ticket. He served in this role from 1967 to 1975, a total of four terms.

After John retired from Congress, the former teacher made his home in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Sadly, he passed away from lung cancer on November 11, 1990, and was buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery. To learn more about this political chalkboard champion, see the link for