Alexander, Moses, 1853-1932

Moses Alexander (November 13, 1853 – January 4, 1932) was an Bavarian-born American businessman and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served two terms as the 11th governor of Idaho from 1915 to 1919. He was the second popularly elected Jewish governor of a U.S. state, and the first who actually practiced that religion. He remains Idaho's sole Jewish chief executive.

Born in Obrigheim, then in the Kingdom of Bavaria, he emigrated to New York City at the age of fourteen, selling newspapers there. Within a year, he accepted an invitation from his cousin in Chillicothe, Missouri to work in a clothing store there. Showing a talent for business, Alexander would eventually be made partner in the store. 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.

Alexander 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.

Aftrer leaving office, Alexander returned to his mercantile business. Keeping active in politics, he served as a delegate to the 1920, 1924, and 1928 Democratic National Conventions, and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1922. Alexander died on January 4, 1932, and was buried at the Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.