Alexander, Moses, 1853-1932

<p>Moses Alexander (November 13, 1853 – January 4, 1932) was the 11th governor of Idaho, the second elected Jewish governor of a U.S. state, and the first who actually practiced that religion. He served from 1915 until 1919, and remains the state's sole Jewish chief executive.</p>

<p>Born in Obrigheim, then in the Kingdom of Bavaria, now Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, Alexander emigrated to the United States in 1867 and settled in New York City. Within a year, he accepted an invitation from his cousin in Missouri to work in a clothing store in Chillicothe, where he showed a talent for the business and was made a partner in the store in 1874. In 1876, Alexander married Helena (née Hedwig) Kaestner (1853–1949), a Christian immigrant from Germany who converted to Judaism. Together, they had a daughter, Leha Alexander Spiro (1885–1979).</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Moses Alexander was born in 1853, in Obrigheim, Bavaria, the youngest of a family of eight children</p>

<p>Moses Alexander came to United States at 14 years of age, selling newspapers in New York City.</p>

<p>In New York, he had two sisters, but neither of whom had room for him in their homes.</p>

<p>Mr. Jacob Berg, a store owner in Chillicothe, MO, visited the sisters and was introduced to Moses.</p>

MOSES ALEXANDER was born in Obrigheim, Bavaria, on November 13, 1853. As a fourteen-year-old, Alexander immigrated to the United States, settling in Chillicothe, Missouri, and finding work in a mercantile firm. He entered politics in 1886, serving as a member of Chillicothe’s city council. He also served as mayor of Chillicothe from 1887 to 1890. In 1891, Alexander moved to Boise, Idaho, where he became a successful merchant, owning and operating profitable stores in three different states. He reentered public service as mayor of Boise, serving from 1897 to 1899, and again from 1901 to 1903. He was an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in 1908; however, six years later he was victorious, and became Idaho’s eleventh governor. He was reelected to a second term in 1916. During his tenure, a state highway system was initiated, the bureau of farm markets was planned, a workmen’s compensation bill was introduced, eight new counties were established, statewide prohibition was enacted, labor disputes in the state’s logging and mining camps were dealt with, and the tax rate was cut. Alexander also endorsed the women’s suffrage movement, advocated advancing irrigation and farming developments, abolished and combined state agencies, and supported and prepared the state for the looming war. Alexander left office on January 6, 1919 and returned to his mercantile business. He served as a delegate to the 1920, 1924, and 1928 Democratic National Conventions, and he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1922. Governor Alexander Alexander died on January 4, 1932, and was buried at the Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.