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Domestic News
February 17, 1954
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
President Eisenhower appoints Archie A. Alexander, a distinguished Iowa-born civil engineer and contractor, as Governor of the Virgin Islands. Alexander, born in 1888, has a notable career in engineering, business, and civic leadership.
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Archie Alexander Named Virgin Islands' Governor
WASHINGTON, D. C. -
President Eisenhower has named Archie A. Alexander prominent engineer-contractor, Governor of the Virgin Islands.
Mr. Alexander is a native of Iowa, having been born in Ottumwa on May 14, 1888. He attended a country school and later moved to a farm in Des Moines, where he finished elementary and high school.
After a year of preliminary work at Des Moines University, he entered the University of Iowa in 1908, and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1912. He did further study in engineering at the University of London.
RESIGNED POSITION
He was first employed as a designing engineer with the Marsh Engineering Co. in 1912. In 1914 he resigned his position and established his own general contracting firm, known as A. A. Alexander, Inc. which continued until 1929, when a partnership was formed with W. A. Repass, a classmate. The firm is now known as Alexander and Repass and specializes in building sewers, disposal plants, power houses, bridges, water plants and railroads throughout the country.
The most outstanding works include railroad bridges for the Rock Island Railroad in the western division of Iowa and Missouri, power house for the University of Iowa, and the $4 million Whitehurst Freeway and other bridges in the Nation's Capital.
FIRST 100 CITIZENS
In 1947, at Iowa's Centennial Celebration, Mr. Alexander was awarded a certificate of merit, being named as one of the first 100 citizens of merit from over 30,000 alumni of the University of Iowa. He has received many other distinguished awards and citations: 1925, he received an Honorary Degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of Iowa; 1928, the Spingarn Medal as the second most successful Negro in Business; 1946, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Engineering from Howard University.
He is past president of the National Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; past president of the Des Moines Branch of the NAACP; president of the American Caribbean Contractors Association; president of the Cedar Hill Construction Corp.; secretary-treasurer of Douglas Glen Gardens Corp.
FACULTY MEMBER
He is a member of the Board of the Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Co., Chicago, Ill.; a member of the Board of Trustees at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama; and at Howard University. He is also a member of the faculty of the Howard University Engineering College.
Mr. Alexander has been a life-long Republican and for several years has been assistant to the Iowa State Republican Committee Chairman.
He is an Episcopalian and is married to the former Audrey Linzy of Denver, Colo. He makes his home in Des Moines and lives at 1829 S St., N. W., while in Washington, D. C.
A. A. ALEXANDER
WASHINGTON, D. C. -
President Eisenhower has named Archie A. Alexander prominent engineer-contractor, Governor of the Virgin Islands.
Mr. Alexander is a native of Iowa, having been born in Ottumwa on May 14, 1888. He attended a country school and later moved to a farm in Des Moines, where he finished elementary and high school.
After a year of preliminary work at Des Moines University, he entered the University of Iowa in 1908, and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1912. He did further study in engineering at the University of London.
RESIGNED POSITION
He was first employed as a designing engineer with the Marsh Engineering Co. in 1912. In 1914 he resigned his position and established his own general contracting firm, known as A. A. Alexander, Inc. which continued until 1929, when a partnership was formed with W. A. Repass, a classmate. The firm is now known as Alexander and Repass and specializes in building sewers, disposal plants, power houses, bridges, water plants and railroads throughout the country.
The most outstanding works include railroad bridges for the Rock Island Railroad in the western division of Iowa and Missouri, power house for the University of Iowa, and the $4 million Whitehurst Freeway and other bridges in the Nation's Capital.
FIRST 100 CITIZENS
In 1947, at Iowa's Centennial Celebration, Mr. Alexander was awarded a certificate of merit, being named as one of the first 100 citizens of merit from over 30,000 alumni of the University of Iowa. He has received many other distinguished awards and citations: 1925, he received an Honorary Degree in Civil Engineering from the State University of Iowa; 1928, the Spingarn Medal as the second most successful Negro in Business; 1946, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Engineering from Howard University.
He is past president of the National Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; past president of the Des Moines Branch of the NAACP; president of the American Caribbean Contractors Association; president of the Cedar Hill Construction Corp.; secretary-treasurer of Douglas Glen Gardens Corp.
FACULTY MEMBER
He is a member of the Board of the Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Co., Chicago, Ill.; a member of the Board of Trustees at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama; and at Howard University. He is also a member of the faculty of the Howard University Engineering College.
Mr. Alexander has been a life-long Republican and for several years has been assistant to the Iowa State Republican Committee Chairman.
He is an Episcopalian and is married to the former Audrey Linzy of Denver, Colo. He makes his home in Des Moines and lives at 1829 S St., N. W., while in Washington, D. C.
A. A. ALEXANDER
What sub-type of article is it?
Appointment
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Archie Alexander
Virgin Islands Governor
Eisenhower Appointment
Iowa Engineer
Civil Engineering
What entities or persons were involved?
Archie A. Alexander
President Eisenhower
Where did it happen?
Washington, D. C.
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington, D. C.
Key Persons
Archie A. Alexander
President Eisenhower
Outcome
appointed as governor of the virgin islands
Event Details
President Eisenhower has named Archie A. Alexander, a prominent engineer-contractor from Iowa, as Governor of the Virgin Islands. Alexander's background includes education in civil engineering, founding a contracting firm, notable projects, awards, and leadership roles in various organizations.