JJ McAlester
James Jackson "JJ" McAlester (born October 1, 1841 in Sebastian County , Arkansas , † September 21, 1920 in McAlester , Oklahoma ) was an American politician . Between 1911 and 1915 he was lieutenant governor of the state of Oklahoma.
Career
JJ McAlester grew up in Fort Smith . During the civil war he served in the Confederation Army , in which he rose to captain. After the war, he moved to Indian territory , what is now the state of Oklahoma. There he traded with the Indians and began to explore and mine the coal deposits there. McAlester is considered the father of the Oklahoma coal industry. He founded the McAlester Coal Mining Co and JJ McAlester Mercantile Company . The latter provided the miners in the area with the necessary materials. After the railroad opened up the region, McAlester's business flourished. Over time he also worked as a rancher and banker. He was also the founder of the city named after him, McAlester.
Politically, McAlester joined the Democratic Party . Between 1893 and 1897 he was US Marshal for the area of his homeland. From 1907 to 1911 he was a member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission . In 1910, McAlester was elected Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma alongside Lee Cruce . He held this office between 1911 and 1915. He was Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Senate . He died in McAlester on September 21, 1920. J. J. McAlester was married to Rebecca Burney, with whom he had four children.
Web links
- JJ McAlester in the database of Find a Grave (English)
- The Political Graveyard
- biography
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | McAlester, JJ |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | McAlester, James Jackson (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 1, 1841 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Sebastian County , Arkansas |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 21, 1920 |
| Place of death | McAlester , Oklahoma |