Joelson, Charles Samuel, 1916-1999

Charles Samuel Joelson (January 27, 1916 – August 17, 1999) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served as the U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 8th congressional district from 1961 to 1969.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, he graduated from Montclair Academy before attending Cornell University and Cornell Law School, earning A.B. and LL.B. degrees. He first started his law practice in Paterson, New Jersey and continued until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. During World War II, Joelson served as an ensign in the Far Eastern Branch of the Office of Naval Intelligence, where he learned and mastered the Japanese language. After the war, Joelson first ran for the House seat in New Jersey's 8th congressional district against incumbent Gordon Canfield, narrowly losing. Joelson then served on Paterson's city council from 1949 to 1952. He lost a second bid against Canfield in 1954 by nearly ten points.

From 1954 to 1956, Joelson served as deputy attorney general of New Jersey's criminal investigation division. Between 1956 and 1958, he worked in the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and from 1958 to 1960, he was director of criminal investigation for the State of New Jersey. After Canfield's retirement, Joelson won the 8th district seat in 1960 and was sworn into the United States Congress on January 3, 1961. As Congressman, one of Joelson's achievements was a piece of legislation in 1969 that saved many school libraries. The legislation appropriated over a billion dollars for public school libraries, remedial programs and guidance counseling. In 1969, Joelson asked New Jersey Governor Richard J. Hughes for a seat in the New Jersey Superior Court; the request was granted and Joelson resigned from Congress in September 1969. He served on the bench for fifteen years, spending time in the Chancery Division and the Appellate Division, before retiring in 1984.

After his retirement, Joelson was a resident of Paramus, New Jersey until his death in Freehold Township, New Jersey.