Alexander McNair

Alexander McNair was born on May 5, 1775. He was born in Pennsylvania. He went to school in Pennsylvania. He went to Philadelphia College. (This later became the University of Pennsylvania.) He led soldiers during the Whiskey Rebellion and the War of 1812.

He moved to Missouri. He lived in St. Louis. After the Louisiana Purchase, he was the United States marshal for the Louisiana territory. This was in 1814. He was also a Register for the Land District of St. Louis.

Missouri became a state in 1821. Alexander McNair was the first governor of the state. He won 72% of the votes. He ran against William Clark. Clark was the territorial governor of Missouri.

McNair made St. Charles the temporary home of the state capital. The capital was later moved to Jefferson City.

McNair's term ended in 1824. He soon died from the flu. He died on March 18, 1826. He did a lot of things for Missouri. What was most important? He was the first governor of the state.

Author: Diana Brown
Sources:
http://www.system.missouri.edu/whmc/Mohist/May%205.html
http://www.umkc.edu/imc/missouri.htm
http://www.twsu.edu/library/specialcollections/87-13-b.html
http://mosl.sos.state.mo.us/rec-man/archives/education/historicallistings/governors.html