Lieutenant Luren D. Dickinson Name Albert Sleeper Resigned January 1, 1921 Religion Episcopalian Succeeded by Alex J. Groesbeck | Spouse(s) Mary C. Moore Party Republican Party Political party Republican Education Bradford College | |
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Preceded by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris Role Former Governor of Michigan Died May 13, 1934, Lexington, Michigan, United States Previous office Governor of Michigan (1917–1921) | ||
Albert Edson Sleeper (December 31, 1862 – May 13, 1934) was an American politician and served as the 29th Governor of Michigan from 1917 to 1921.
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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.