Joshua W. Alexander

Joshua Willis Alexander (January 22, 1852 – February 27, 1936) was United States Secretary of Commerce from December 16, 1919 - March 4, 1921 in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson.[1]

"Joshua Alexander" redirects here. For the American songwriter and producer, see Josh Alexander.
Joshua Alexander
2nd United States Secretary of Commerce
In office
December 16, 1919 – March 4, 1921
PresidentWoodrow Wilson
Preceded byWilliam C. Redfield
Succeeded byHerbert Hoover
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1907 – December 15, 1919
Preceded byFrank B. Klepper
Succeeded byJacob L. Milligan
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
In office
1883-1887
Personal details
Born
Joshua Willis Alexander

(1852-01-22)January 22, 1852
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 1936(1936-02-27) (aged 84)
Gallatin, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Roe Richardson
Children8, George
EducationCulver-Stockton College (BA)

Biography

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, Missouri.

Joshua W. Alexander was a brother of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Phi chapter).

Family

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 propellor accident at Bolling Field in 1920.[4] Another son, George Forrest Alexander, became a federal judge in Juneau, Alaska.[2]

  • United States Congress. "Joshua W. Alexander (id: A000098)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

References
  1. TO SUCCEED W.C. REDFIELD.; Joshua W. Alexander of Missouri New Secretary of Commerce, The New York Times, Dec. 3, 1919
  2. JW Alexander, Wilson Aide, Dies, The New York Times, Feb 28, 1936
  3. Judge Alexander, 84, Passes in Missouri, The Atlanta Constitution, Feb 28, 1936
  4. Airplane Propeller Kills Walter Alexander, Aviator Son of the Secretary of Commerce, New York Times, Sept. 22, 1920
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Frank B. Klepper		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 3rd congressional district
1907–1919		 Succeeded by
Jacob L. Milligan
Preceded by
William S. Greene		 Chair of the House Merchant Marine Committee
1911–1919		 Succeeded by
William S. Greene
Political offices
Preceded by
William C. Redfield		 United States Secretary of Commerce
1919–1921		 Succeeded by
Herbert Hoover
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