Profile Text
Birth Name: Paul Norton Mccloskey, Jr.
Date of Birth: September 29, 1927
Place of Birth: Loma Linda, San Bernardino, California, United States
Date of Death: May 8, 2024
Place of Death: Winters, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Scottish, Irish, Cornish, English
Pete McCloskey was an American politician, attorney, and anti-war activist. As a Republican, he was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, from December 12, 1967 to January 3, 1983. He was the co-author of the 1973 Endangered Species Act, and was the first congressperon to call for Richard Nixon’s resignation. He co-founded the non-profit, non-partisan Council for the National Interest. He was a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1972. He later became a Democrat.
Pete was the son of Vera Mary and Paul Norton McCloskey, a farmer. He served in the U.S. Navy, from 1945 to 1947; in the U.S. Marine Corps, from 1950 to 1952, fighting in the Korean War, and being awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star; and in the U.S. Marine Forces Reserve, from 1952 to 1974. He was married to Helen V. Hooper, until his death. Pete had four children with his former wife Caroline Wadsworth.
Pete’s paternal grandfather was Henry Harrison McCloskey (the son of John Henry McCloskey and Margaret Harrison/Hamilton). Henry was born in Yreka, Siskiyou County, California. John was born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of Hugh McCloskey and Essie De Laix/Desaix. Pete’s great-grandmother Margaret was from Louisiana or Kentucky.
Pete’s paternal grandmother was Emily Mary Purinton (the daughter of Byron Purinton and Esther Lanyon). Emily was born in Wisconsin. Byron was born in Berkshire, Franklin County, Vermont, the son of Josiah Purinton and Belah/Bulah Hill. Pete’s great-grandmother Esther was born in England, the daughter of Josiah Lanyon and Esther.
Pete’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Wylie Brown McNabb (the son of James McNabb and Mary Hogg). Samuel was born in Jackson County, Iowa. He was Mayor of San Bernardino, California, from May 10, 1909 to May 8, 1911, and again, from May 9, 1921 to February 9, 1925. Pete’s great-grandfather James was born in Pennsylvania.
Pete’s maternal grandmother was named Bertha M. Dunlap. Bertha was born in California.
Sources: Genealogy of Pete McCloskey – https://www.findagrave.com
Pete’s parents on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Marriage record of Pete’s paternal great-grandparents, Byron Purinton and Esther Lanyon – https://www.familysearch.org
Pete’s paternal great-grandparents, Byron Purinton and Esther Lanyon, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org