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American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joshua Willis Alexander (January 22, 1852 – February 27, 1936) was United States secretary of commerce from December 16, 1919, to March 4, 1921, in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson.[1]
Joshua Alexander | |
|---|---|
| |
| 2nd United States Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office December 16, 1919 – March 4, 1921 | |
| President | Woodrow Wilson |
| Preceded by | William C. Redfield |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Hoover |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1907 – December 15, 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Frank B. Klepper |
| Succeeded by | Jacob L. Milligan |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
| In office 1883–1887 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joshua Willis Alexander January 22, 1852 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 1936 (aged 84) Gallatin, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Roe Richardson |
| Children | 8, including George |
| Education | Culver-Stockton College (BA) |
Born on January 22, 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Thomas Willis Alexander and Jane (née Robinson). Alexander attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, and later moved to Gallatin, Missouri, where he served as mayor and then as a state representative in the Missouri General Assembly (1883–1887).[1] He served as a judge on Missouri's 17th Circuit until 1905.[1]
Alexander, a member of the United States Democratic Party, served as a United States representative from Missouri from 1907 until his resignation to become Commerce Secretary in 1919.[1] He served as chairman of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and took a lead role in shaping wartime shipping legislation, which drew him to the attention of President Wilson.[2] He also gained prominence for his service as Chairman of the United States Commission to the international conference on the safety of life at sea in London in 1913.[3]
After his tenure as Secretary of Commerce, Alexander returned to the practice of law in Missouri.[3] He served as a delegate to the state's constitutional convention in 1922–23.
He died there on February 27, 1936, at the age of 84, eighteen years later, after retiring in Gallatin.[3] Alexander was interred in Brown Cemetery in Gallatin.
Joshua W. Alexander was a brother of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Phi chapter).
Alexander married, the former Roe Ann Richardson (February 3, 1859 - March 18, 1940), the daughter of a judge, on February 3, 1876.[3] The couple had eight children.[3]
Alexander's son, aviator Walter Alexander, was killed in a propeller accident at Bolling Field in 1920.[4] Another son, George F. Alexander, became a federal judge in Juneau, Alaska.[2]
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