Background
Knebel, John Albert was born on October 4, 1936 in Tulsa. Son of John Albert and Florence Julia (Friend) Knebel.
lawyer United States Secretary of Agriculture
Knebel, John Albert was born on October 4, 1936 in Tulsa. Son of John Albert and Florence Julia (Friend) Knebel.
Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, 1959. Master of Arts in Economics, Creighton University, 1962. Juris Doctor, American University, 1965.
Early life and education In 1965, he received his law degree from American University. Between 1965 and 1968 he was engaged in private practice with the firm of Howrey, Simon, Baker and Murchison in Washington, DC. He was a legislative assistant to Congressman J. Ernest Wharton in 1963 and 1964 and served as general counsel to the Small Business Administration during Nixon's second term. In March 1971, he became the General Counsel of the Small Business Administration, and in January 1973 he was appointed as General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture On November 4, 1976, Knebel was named Secretary of Agriculture to by President Gerald R. Ford after his predecessor, Earl L. Butz to resigned amid a scandal involving a racist comment. His period in this office was brief and ended January 20, 1977, when Jimmy Carter replaced Ford in the White House. After that, he returned to law and as of 2003 was still the president of the American Mining Congress.
Democratic Party, Republican Party.
Served to First lieutenant United States Air Force, 1959-1962. Member Federal Bar Association (past president), American, District of Columbia Bar associations, Delta Theta Phi, Omicron Delta Gamma.
Married Zenia Irene Marks, June 6, 1959. Children– Carrie, John Albert III, Clemens.