Moses Alexander

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Moses Alexander

11^th Governor of Idaho
In office January 1915 – January 1919
Lieutenant(s)	Herman H. Taylor (1915) Ernest L. Parker (1917)
Preceded by	John M. Haines
Succeeded by	D. W. Davis

Born	November 13, 1853 Obrigheim, Bavaria, Germany
Died	January 4, 1932 Boise, Idaho
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Helena Kaestner Alexander
Profession	merchant
Religion	Jewish

Moses Alexander (born November 13, 1853 in Obrigheim, Bavaria, Germany - died January 4, 1932 in Boise, Idaho) was the first elected Jewish governor of a U.S. state, serving as Governor of Idaho from 1915 until 1919.

1 Early Life and Career
2 Political Career in Idaho
3 Governor
4 Later Years
5 References

[edit] Early Life and Career

Alexander emigrated to the United States in 1867 and settled in New York City, but within a year accepted an invitation from his cousin to work in a clothing store in Chillicothe, Missouri. Alexander showed a talent for the business and was made a partner in the store in 1874. In 1876, he married Helena (nee Hedwig) Kaestner, a Christian immigrant from Germany who converted to Judaism.

In Chillicothe Alexander showed an early interest in Democratic politics, particularly within the progressive wing of the party. In 1886, he was elected to the Chillicothe City Council. The next year, Alexander was elected mayor and served two terms. His primary concern as mayor was addressing the city's dire financial situation.

In 1891, Alexander left Chillicothe with the intention of moving to Alaska. While enroute, he made a stop in Boise, Idaho, to look at its investment opportunities. Based on that, he abandoned his plans in Alaska and settled in Boise instead. In July 1891, Alexander opened the first of several clothing stores on the corner of Ninth and Main in Boise.

In 1895, Alexander led an effort to build Ahavath Beth Israel synagogue, the first in Idaho. Completed in 1896, today Ahavath Beth Israel is the oldest synagogue in continuous use west of the Mississippi River.

[edit] Political Career in Idaho

In 1897, Alexander was elected mayor of Boise. He chose not to run for reelection in 1899, but was elected again in 1901. During his terms as mayor, Boise's volunteer fire department was reorganized into a professional body, anti-gambling ordinances were passed and other city improvements were made.

In 1908, Alexander was declared the Democratic nominee for governor in a bitterly contested nomination process which required intervention by the Idaho Supreme Court. However, he was defeated in the general election by Republican nominee James H. Brady. Alexander was offered the nomination again in 1910, but declined due to poor health.

In 1914, Alexander entered the gubernatorial race on a platform strongly supporting prohibition and limited government spending. Alexander won the general election against Republican incumbent John M. Haines thanks, in part, to a misappropriation scandal in the state treasurer's office that dogged the Republican ticket. Alexander was reelected in 1916.

[edit] Governor

Upon taking office, Alexander set to work immediately on making Idaho a dry state. As of January 1, 1916, prohibition was law in Idaho. Alexander continued to be an ardent prohibition supporter even though bootlegging became common practice in Idaho in the ensuing years.

World War I was another central issue during Alexander's administration. Alexander pledged state militia troops to both the war cause and to the Mexican Expedition against Pancho Villa. Despite rampant anti-German hysteria in Idaho during the period, Alexander himself was never thought of as unpatriotic even though he was born in Germany.

[edit] Later Years

Alexander did not run for reelection in 1918. He was the Democratic nominee for governor again in 1922, but was not able to campaign as vigorously as he had before. That year, Alexander was decisively defeated in the general election by Republican Charles C. Moore.

Throughout the 1920s, Alexander remained active with the Idaho Democratic Party as a speaker and delegate to Democratic National Conventions. He made his last public appearance for the Democrats on December 29, 1931, less than a week before his death. Alexander is buried in Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.

[edit] References

Preceded by Peter Sonna	Mayor of Boise, Idaho 1897–1899	Succeeded by J. H. Richards
Preceded by J. H. Richards	Mayor of Boise, Idaho 1901–1903	Succeeded by James H. Hawley
Preceded by John M. Haines	Governor of Idaho January 4, 1915–January 6, 1919	Succeeded by D. W. Davis

Governors of Idaho
Shoup • Willey • McConnell • Steunenberg • Hunt • Morrison • Gooding • Brady • Hawley • Haines • Alexander • Davis • Moore • Baldridge • Ross • B. Clark • Bottolfsen • C. Clark • Bottolfsen • Gossett • Williams • Robins • Jordan • Smylie • Samuelson • Andrus • Evans • Andrus • Batt • Kempthorne • Risch • Otter