Albert Sleeper
Encyclopedia
Albert Edson Sleeper was an American politician and served as the 29th Governor of Michigan
from 1917 to 1921.
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 and also worked in mercantile industries. In 1901, he married Mary C. Moore.
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 had started and measures were taken 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.
as U.S. President. Six years later, he died in Lexington at the age of seventy-one and is interred at Lexington Municipal Cemetery.
In 1944, Huron State Park, in Caseville, Michigan
was renamed Albert E. Sleeper State Park.
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
from 1917 to 1921.
Early life in Vermont and Michigan
Sleeper was born in Bradford, VermontBradford, Vermont
Bradford is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,619 at the 2000 census.-History:The first settler was John Hosmer in 1765...
and was educated at the Bradford Academy.
In 1884, he moved to Lexington, Michigan
Lexington, Michigan
Lexington is a village in Sanilac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,104 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Lexington Township.-Geography:...
where he was a successful businessman owning several banks and extensive real estate and also worked in mercantile industries. In 1901, he married Mary C. Moore.
Politics
Sleeper served in the Michigan State Senate, 1901–1904. The following year, he became a member of the Republican State CommitteeMichigan Republican Party
The Michigan Republican Party is the state affiliate of the national Republican Party in Michigan. It is sometimes referred to as MIGOP, which simply means Michigan Grand Old Party....
until 1907. Then he served as State Treasurer of Michigan
State Treasurer of Michigan
The State Treasurer of Michigan functions as the chief financial officer for the U.S. state of Michigan. The State Treasurer oversees the collection, investment, and disbursement of all state monies, and also administers major tax laws, safeguards the credit of the state, and distributes revenue...
from 1909 to 1913 under Governors, Fred M. Warner
Fred M. Warner
Fred Maltby Warner was an American politician. He served as the 26th Governor of Michigan from 1905 to 1911.-Birth in England and early life in Michigan:...
and Chase Osborn
Chase Osborn
Chase Salmon Osborn was an American politician, newspaper reporter and publisher, and explorer. He served as the 27th Governor of Michigan from 1911 to 1913.-Early life in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin:...
.
Sleeper was elected Governor of Michigan
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
by a popular vote on November 7, 1916, defeating Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Edwin F. Sweet
Edwin F. Sweet
Edwin Forrest Sweet was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.Sweet was born in Dansville, New York and attended the common schools and Dansville Seminary. He graduated from the literary department of Yale College in 1871, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. After graduation, Sweet...
. He was re-elected to a second term in 1918. He served during most of World War I had started and measures were taken 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
Driver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
was issued. Sleeper signed the State Parks Act creating the State Park system and an epidemic of the Spanish influenza was dealt with.
Retirement, death and legacy
In 1928, Sleeper served as presidential elector for Michigan to elect Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
as U.S. President. Six years later, he died in Lexington at the age of seventy-one and is interred at Lexington Municipal Cemetery.
In 1944, Huron State Park, in Caseville, Michigan
Caseville, Michigan
Caseville is a city in Huron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 888 at the 2000 census. The city is surrounded by Caseville Township. It is home to the 10-day festival, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise"...
was renamed Albert E. Sleeper State Park.
Additional reading
- Fuller, George, Ed., Messages of the Governors of Michigan, Volume 4 (East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press) ISBN 0-87013-723-9; ISBN 978-0-87013-723-5.