Albert Sleeper

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Albert Sleeper

Albert Edson Sleeper (born December 31, 1862 in Bradford , Orange County , Vermont , † May 13, 1934 in Lexington , Michigan ) was an American politician and from 1917 to 1921 the 29th governor of the state of Michigan.

Early years and political advancement

Albert Sleeper attended Bradford Academy in Vermont. In 1884 he moved to Lexington, Michigan, where he worked in the real estate business. Soon he was also active in banking and trading. Politically, Sleeper joined the Republican Party . Between 1901 and 1902 he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives . From 1905 to 1907 he sat on the state executive committee of his party. After all, he was State Treasurer of Michigan between 1909 and 1913 under Governors Fred Warner and Chase Osborn .

Michigan governor

On November 7, 1916, Sleeper was elected as his party's candidate for the new governor of his state. He was introduced to this office on January 1, 1917. After re-election in 1918, he was able to serve until January 1, 1921. During this time the United States entered the war. As in the other US states, industrial production in Michigan had to be converted to armaments requirements. At the same time, young men were drafted and drafted into the military. The governor had to make sure that these operations ran smoothly and efficiently. After the end of the war in November 1918, industrial production had to be reduced to normal requirements and the soldiers returning home had to be reintegrated into society. Regardless of these war-related events, Governor Sleeper carried out some domestic reforms. For example, a separate Department of Animal Husbandry was established. The creation of a Ministry of Labor was even more important. The third new government department was a State Police Department . The public utilities were also managed jointly. With the so-called "State Park Act", Governor Sleeper laid the foundation stone for state-owned parks and recreation facilities. In view of the increasing traffic, the expansion of the roads was pushed ahead. At that time Michigan was also hit by the Spanish flu , which killed many residents.

Even after the end of his governorship, Sleeper remained politically active. In 1928 he was a Republican elector in Herbert Hoover's election as US President. Albert Sleeper was married to Mary C. Moore. He died in May 1934.

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