Julius Meier
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| Julius L. Meier | |
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20th Governor of Oregon
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| In office January 12, 1931 – January 9, 1935 |
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| Preceded by | A. W. Norblad |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Martin |
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| Born | October 1, 1874 Portland, Oregon |
| Died | July 14, 1937 (aged 62) Corbett, Oregon |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Grace Mayer |
| Profession | Merchant |
Julius L. Meier (December 31, 1874 - July 14, 1937) was a businessman in Portland, Oregon, and independent Governor of Oregon.
Meier was born in Portland to German immigrants of Jewish ancestry: Aaron, a merchant and founder of Oregon's largest department store, Meier & Frank, and Jeannette (Hirsch) Meier. He had three siblings, and was the father of Jean Ellen, Elsa Frances, and Julius L., (Jack) Jr.[1]
He married Grace Mayer on Christmas Day, 1901, saying afterwards that it was the only day that he was allowed off from the store.[1]
Meier graduated from the University of Oregon Law School in 1895 and practiced law with a partner, George W. Joseph for the next four years, until he went into the family's business.[1] According to family tradition, it was at this time that he added the "L" to his name; the sign painter, who was putting his name on the door, insisted that all lawyers of substance had one and Meier suggested an "L".[citation needed]
In 1930, George W. Joseph – who had been disbarred during an extensive dispute with the Oregon Supreme Court – won the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon, but died shortly after.[citation needed] The Republican Party's replacement nominee opposed public development of hydroelectric power along the Columbia River, a core element of Joseph's platform.[1]
Meier agreed to enter the race as an independent candidate, adopting Joseph's platform. He won 54.5 percent of the total vote, outdistancing his nearest competitor, Democratic candidate Edward F. Bailey, 135,608 votes to 62,434.[1][2] Meier's overwhelming victory was viewed as a reflection of strong public support for public hydropower development.[3]
Meier served for one term. His support for a sales tax and for public power was not successful.[4]
After serving as governor, he retired to his estate above the Columbia River, "Menucha", where he died in 1937.[5]
His family sold Menucha to First Presbyterian Church of Portland in 1950, which now operates it as a conference and retreat center. The Meier and Frank families sold the department store to the May Company in 1966. With May's sale to Federated in 2005, the store was renamed "Macy's" in September, 2006.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Official biography of Julius L. Meier at Oregon State Library website
- ^ "Oregon's Governor-elect carries on for dead friend", The Washington Post, November 30, 1930.
- ^ Schmidt, Emerson P. (February 1931). "The Movement for Public Ownership of Power in Oregon". The Journal of Land & Public Utility Economics Vol. 7, No. 1 (1): p. 57.
- ^ Wharton, Wallace S.. "Oregon foresees lively primary", The New York Times, August 13, 1933.
- ^ "Ex-Gov. J. L. Meier of Oregon was 62", The New York Times, July 15, 1937.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by A. W. Norblad |
Governors of Oregon | Succeeded by Charles H. Martin |
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