PersonJewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Moses Alexander

German-born American businessman and public official Moses Alexander served as Idaho's 11th governor from 1915 to 1919.

United States

Bain News Service / Library of CongressWikimedia CommonsPublic domain

Biography

Moses Alexander was born in Obrigheim, Bavaria, on 13 November 1853 and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. He settled first in Missouri, entered the mercantile business and served in local government, including terms as mayor of Chillicothe. Alexander moved to Boise in 1891, built a successful business career and served as mayor of Boise from 1897 to 1899 and again from 1901 to 1903. He was elected governor of Idaho in 1914 and took office on 4 January 1915, becoming the first Jewish governor of a U.S. state. He won reelection in 1916 and served until January 1919. Alexander remained publicly connected to Jewish communal life in Idaho, and his election became a landmark in the history of Jewish participation in American public office. After leaving the governorship he returned to business and remained active in public affairs until his death in Boise in 1932.

Records held by Moses Alexander

Portrait of Idaho Governor Moses Alexander.

JWR Verified

Community & SocietyFirst

First Jewish Governor of a U.S. State

Record holder

Moses Alexander

Record value

4 January 1915

Moses Alexander became the "First Jewish Governor of a U.S. State" on 4 January 1915 when he took office as the 11th governor of Idaho. The German-born American businessman and public official served his term from the state capital, Boise, from 1915 to 1919. An official chronology from the Office of the Governor of Idaho confirms his gubernatorial service began on this date.

Country represented: United States
Achievement location: Boise, Idaho, United States
Achievement date: 4 January 1915

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