Jesse D. Lander

Jesse Dewayne Lander (February 16, 1892 – 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]

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] 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] 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] He was re-elected in every biennial contest through 1944 and served continuously until 1947.^[1] 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]