John J. Kempf  John J. Kempf was a politician in Wisconsin. Kempf was born on May 4, 1857 in Granville, Wisconsin. He attended Spencerian Business College. Kempf served as a Milwaukee, Wisconsin alderman from 1887 to 1888. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and the Register of Deeds of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin before serving as Treasurer of Wisconsin from 1903 to 1904 and again from 1905 to 1907. Additionally, he was a member of the Republican State Central Committee from 1900 to 1903. On August 30, 1904, the Governor of Wisconsin Robert M. La Follette Sr. removed Kempf from office and appointed Thomas M. Purtell acting treasurer.