Jesse D. Lander | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives | |
| In office 1945–1947 | |
| Preceded by | James V. Davis |
| Succeeded by | Oscar S. Gill |
| Constituency | 4th District |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 16,1892 Nipomo,California,United States |
| Died | August 19,1960 (aged 68) Seattle,Washington,United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1910s |
Jesse Dewayne Lander (February 16,1892 to August 19,1960) was an American businessman and Democratic politician who served as Speaker of the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives from 1945 to 1947. [1] [ failed verification ]
Lander was born in the ranching community of Nipomo,California on February 16,1892. [1] He enlisted in the United States Army for three years in the 1910s. [1] [ failed verification ] After leaving the service he trained as a barber and in 1923 moved north to Anchorage,Alaska,where he opened his own shop. [2] In 1925,he relocated to Seward,Alaska and operated a combined billiard hall and barber shop before settling permanently in Fairbanks,Alaska in 1932. [2]
Lander became active in civic organizations including the Elks,the Eagles,the Pioneers of Alaska,the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion while running his Fairbanks enterprises. [1] [ failed verification ] He entered territorial politics as a Democrat and won election to represent the Fourth District in the Alaska House of Representatives in 1938,taking office at the opening of the Thirteenth Legislature in January 1939. [1] [ failed verification ] He was re-elected in every biennial contest through 1944 and served continuously until 1947. [1] [ failed verification ] When the Seventeenth Legislature convened on January 22,1945,he was unanimously chosen temporary speaker and soon afterward formally elected Speaker of the House. [3] As presiding officer,he oversaw passage of measures that included the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 and legislation preparing the territory for post-war housing and administrative reorganization. [4]
Lander died in Seattle on August 19,1960 and was buried following funeral rites in Fairbanks on August 24 under the joint auspices of Igloo 4 Pioneers of Alaska,the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. [2]