Joshua W. Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joshua Alexander
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| 2nd United States Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office December 16, 1919 – March 4, 1921 |
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| 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 |
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| In office March 4, 1907 – December 15, 1919 |
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| Preceded by | Frank B. Klepper |
| Succeeded by | Jacob L. Milligan |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
| In office 1883–1887 |
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| 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) |
Joshua Willis Alexander (born January 22, 1852 – died February 27, 1936) was an important person in the United States government. He served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from late 1919 to early 1921. This was during the time Woodrow Wilson was President.
About Joshua Alexander
Joshua Alexander was born on January 22, 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents were Thomas Willis Alexander and Jane Robinson. He went to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.
After college, he moved to Gallatin, Missouri. There, he became the mayor of the town. He also served as a state representative in the Missouri General Assembly from 1883 to 1887. This meant he helped make laws for the state of Missouri. Later, he worked as a judge until 1905.
Working for the Country
Joshua Alexander was a member of the United States Democratic Party. He was elected to represent Missouri in the United States House of Representatives. He served in this role from 1907 until 1919.
While in Congress, he led the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. This committee dealt with laws about ships and fishing. He helped create important laws about shipping during wartime. This work caught the attention of President Wilson.
He also became well-known for leading the U.S. team at a big meeting in London in 1913. This meeting was about making ocean travel safer. It was called the international conference on the safety of life at sea.
In 1919, President Wilson chose him to be the Secretary of Commerce. This job involves helping with business and trade in the country. He held this position until 1921.
Later Life and Family
After his time as Secretary of Commerce, Alexander went back to being a lawyer in Missouri. He also helped write a new state constitution for Missouri in 1922 and 1923.
Joshua Alexander passed away on February 27, 1936, in Gallatin, Missouri. He was 84 years old. He was buried in Brown Cemetery in Gallatin.
He was a member of a college group called the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Joshua Alexander married Roe Ann Richardson on February 3, 1876. She was the daughter of a judge. They had eight children together.
One of his sons, Walter Alexander, was an aviator. Sadly, he died in a plane accident in 1920. Another son, George F. Alexander, became a federal judge in Juneau, Alaska.
