Albert Sleeper Explained

Albert Edson Sleeper
Order1:29th
Office1:Governor of Michigan
Term Start1:January 1, 1917
Term End1:January 1, 1921
Lieutenant1:Luren D. Dickinson
Predecessor1:Woodbridge N. Ferris
Successor1:Alex J. Groesbeck
Office2:Treasurer of Michigan
Term Start2:1909
Term End2:1912
Governor2:Fred M. Warner
Chase Osborn
Preceded2:John T. Rich
Succeeded2:John W. Haarer
State Senate3:Michigan
District3:20th
Term Start3:January 1, 1901
Term End3:December 31, 1904
Predecessor3:Matthew D. Wagner
Successor3:Bela W. Jenks
Birth Date:December 31, 1862
Birth Place:Bradford, Vermont
Death Date:May 13, 1934 (aged 71)
Death Place:Lexington, Michigan
Spouse:Mary C. Moore
Party:Republican

Albert Edson Sleeper (December 31, 1862 – May 13, 1934) was an American politician who served as the 29th governor of Michigan[1] from 1917 to 1921.

Biography

Sleeper was born on December 31, 1862, in Bradford, Vermont and was educated at the Bradford Academy.

In 1884, he moved to Lexington, Michigan, where he was a successful businessman owning several banks and extensive real estate. Sleeper also worked in mercantile industries. In 1901, he married Mary C. Moore.

Sleeper served in the Michigan State Senate, 1901–1904. The following year, he became a member of the Republican State Committee until 1907. Then he served as State Treasurer of Michigan from 1909 to 1913 under Governors, Fred M. Warner and Chase Osborn.

Sleeper was elected Governor of Michigan by a popular vote on November 7, 1916, defeating Democrat Edwin F. Sweet. He was re-elected to a second term in 1918. He served during most of World War I and started measures to supply men, provisions, and arms for the war effort. Also during his four years in office, a department of animal husbandry, a department of labor, and a public utilities commission were established. A county road system was advanced, a permanent state police department was founded, and the first driver's license was issued. Sleeper signed the State Parks Act creating the State Park system and an epidemic of the Spanish influenza was dealt with. On April 19, 1917, Governor Sleeper created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force (Michigan State Police).

In 1928, Sleeper served as a presidential elector for Michigan to elect Herbert Hoover as U.S. President. He died on May 13, 1934, in Lexington, Michigan, at the age of seventy-one and is interred at Lexington Municipal Cemetery.

Legacy

In 1944, Huron State Park in Caseville, Michigan, was renamed Albert E. Sleeper State Park.The public library in Ubly, Michigan, is also named after Sleeper.

Sources

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former Governors - Michigan's Governors, 1835 to Present. www.michigan.gov. en. 2018-10-17.