# Alex J. Groesbeck

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American politician

Alex Groesbeck 30th Governor of Michigan In office January 1, 1921 – January 1, 1927 Lieutenant Thomas Read George W. Welsh Preceded by Albert Sleeper Succeeded by Fred W. Green Attorney General of Michigan In office January 1, 1917 – January 1, 1921 Governor Albert Sleeper Preceded by Grant Fellows Succeeded by Merlin Wiley Chair of the Michigan Republican Party In office 1912–1914 Preceded by Frank Knox Succeeded by Gilman M. Dame Personal details Born Alexander Joseph Groesbeck (1873-11-07)November 7, 1873 Warren, Michigan, U.S. Died March 10, 1953(1953-03-10) (aged 79) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Party Republican Education University of Michigan (LLB)

**Alexander Joseph Groesbeck** (November 7, 1873[1] – March 10, 1953) was an American politician who served as [attorney general](/source/Michigan_Attorney_General) and the 30th [governor of Michigan](/source/Governor_of_Michigan).[2]

## Early life

Groesbeck, 1904

Groesbeck was born in [Warren, Michigan](/source/Warren%2C_Michigan), the son of [Macomb County](/source/Macomb_County%2C_Michigan) Sheriff Louis Groesbeck and his wife Julia (Coquillard) Groesbeck.[2] Groesbeck attended the public schools of [Mount Clemens, Michigan](/source/Mount_Clemens%2C_Michigan), and of [Wallaceburg, Ontario](/source/Wallaceburg%2C_Ontario), where his parents resided for two years with their family. Groesbeck wanted to become a lawyer from an early age, and undertook the study of law in the office of an attorney at [Port Huron, Michigan](/source/Port_Huron%2C_Michigan). He went on to earn a [law](/source/Bachelor_of_Laws) degree from the [University of Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan) at [Ann Arbor](/source/Ann_Arbor%2C_Michigan) in 1893. He was admitted to the [bar](/source/Bar_(law)) that year and set up practice in Detroit where he rapidly gained the "respect, goodwill and confidence of his colleagues, because of his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the profession".[3]

## Politics

Groesbeck's entrance into state politics came in 1912 — he led efforts to select a delegation to the [Republican National Convention](/source/1912_Republican_National_Convention) favoring the renomination of [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States) [William Howard Taft](/source/William_Howard_Taft). Groesbeck also actively led the party faction supporting Taft in the [general election](/source/1912_United_States_presidential_election). That same year, Groesbeck was elected the [state party chairman](/source/MIGOP), serving until 1914.[3] In 1914, he was a candidate for [governor of Michigan](/source/Governor_of_Michigan), but lost in the Republican [primary election](/source/Partisan_primary) to [Chase S. Osborn](/source/Chase_S._Osborn).[4] In 1916, Groesbeck was elected [attorney general of Michigan](/source/Attorney_general_of_Michigan), and was re-elected in 1918.

As reported in *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, Attorney General Groesbeck supported a call for [Henry Ford](/source/Henry_Ford) to run for the [United States Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)). This vision drew opposition from many other Republicans.[5]

In 1920, he won the Republican primary election for governor and defeated Democrat and former governor [Woodbridge N. Ferris](/source/Woodbridge_N._Ferris) in the [general election](/source/General_election). After being re-elected in 1922 and 1924, Groesbeck lost to [Fred W. Green](/source/Fred_W._Green) in the 1926 Republican primary election.[4] In 1924, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which chose President [Calvin Coolidge](/source/Calvin_Coolidge) to be re-elected. In addition to Groesbeck's political work, he was one of the builders of the Flint-Saginaw [Interurban](/source/Interurban) Railway.[3]

At the [Detroit Club](/source/Detroit_Club), he was instrumental in 1922 in selecting [James Couzens](/source/James_Couzens) to be the successful Republican candidate for the [Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) seat left vacant by [Truman Newberry](/source/Truman_Newberry).[6]

In 1925, Groesbeck vetoed legislation that would have created a [state poet laureate](/source/State_poet_laureate). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))* magazine reported:[7]

Forgetful of the state poets of republican Athens, the Governor's historical knowledge led him to describe the bill as "a reversion to monarchical customs" which "has no place in a republican form of government."

During his six years in office, the state's highway growth continued, prison reform measures were sanctioned, state titles for automobiles began, and state government was restructured and consolidated.

He was defeated in the 1930 Republican primary election by [Wilber M. Brucker](/source/Wilber_M._Brucker).[4]

Groesbeck is recognized as an important "road builder" in Michigan, being the first governor to champion the use of [concrete](/source/Concrete) and "take Michigan out of the mud."

In 1924, he opposed a ballot initiative (sponsored by the Public School Defense League) to require attendance at [public schools](/source/Public_school_(government_funded)) and outlaw [private ones](/source/Private_schools); this placed him at odds with the position of the then increasingly popular [Ku Klux Klan](/source/Ku_Klux_Klan), which supported the opposing candidate, James Hamilton.[8]

## Retirement, death and legacy

Groesbeck's tomb, at [Woodlawn Cemetery](/source/Woodlawn_Cemetery_(Detroit)), Detroit

Groesbeck was later appointed chairman of the Michigan [Civil Service Commission](/source/Civil_Service_Commission), and served from 1941 to 1944. Also in 1944, he was a delegate to the [Republican National Convention](/source/Republican_National_Convention) which nominated for U.S. president, [Thomas Dewey](/source/Thomas_Dewey), who would lose to the three-term President [Franklin Roosevelt](/source/Franklin_Roosevelt) in the general election. He was also a member of the [Detroit Bar Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Detroit_Bar_Association&action=edit&redlink=1), the [Michigan Bar Association](/source/State_Bar_of_Michigan) and the [American Bar Association](/source/American_Bar_Association), and in club circles was well known as a member of the [Detroit Club](/source/Detroit_Club) and the [Detroit Athletic Club](/source/Detroit_Athletic_Club).[3]

Groesbeck's gubernatorial papers are kept in the Archives of the State of Michigan.[9]

He died in Detroit and is interred there at [Woodlawn Cemetery](/source/Woodlawn_Cemetery_(Detroit)).[2]

Groesbeck Highway ([M-97](/source/M-97_(Michigan_highway))) was named for the governor, both because of the local prominence of the Groesbeck family in Macomb county and Oakland County and because of his strong support for building roads and highways in Michigan.[10][11]

He is memorialized by a state historical marker[12] in the City of Warren.[13][14]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [*Alex J. Groesbeck: Portrait of a Public Man*](https://books.google.com/books?id=oYx6AAAAMAAJ&q=alex+groesbeck+public+man) – "Groesbeck was born in Warren Township, Macomb County, but there is some confusion concerning the exact date. ... He always insisted the correct date was November 7, 1873 ..."

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-graveyard_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-graveyard_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-graveyard_2-2) ["s.v. Groesbeck, Alexander Joseph (1873–1953)"](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/gritzmacher-grosfeld.html#RH801 hpRR). *The Political Graveyard*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060614061905/http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/gritzmacher-grosfeld.html) from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2006.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-burton_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-burton_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-burton_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-burton_3-3) Burton, Clarence M., ed. (2005) [1922]. ["s.v. Alexander J. Groesbeck"](http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;q1=Groesbeck;q2=Alexander;op2=and;op3=and;rgn=pages;idno=BAD1447.0005.001;didno=BAD1447.0005.001;view=image;seq=00000674). [*The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701–1922*](http://name.umdl.umich.edu/BAD1447.0005.001). Ann Arbor, Michigan: [University of Michigan Library](/source/University_of_Michigan_Library). pp. 668–271. Retrieved May 29, 2006.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-graveyard2_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-graveyard2_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-graveyard2_4-2) ["Michigan: Governors"](http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/MI/ofc/gov.html). *The Political Graveyard*. Retrieved March 22, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Michigan Republicans Split on Henry Ford – Attorney General Groesbeck Supports Him"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/06/18/102711370.pdf), June 18, 1918. *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Tradition"](http://www.thedetroitclub.com/tradition.html) from The Detroit Club [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080420104609/http://www.thedetroitclub.com/tradition.html) April 20, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Free Fights, No Laureate"](http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,720327,00.html). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. May 18, 1925. Retrieved May 29, 2006.{{[cite magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_magazine)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Governor Groesbeck: Road Builder and Defender of School Choice"](http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=340). Mackinac Center.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Archives of Michigan"](http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mhc_sa_circular39_50008_7.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["s.v. M-97"](http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys90-99.html#M-097). *Michigan Highways*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060615093852/http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys90-99.html) from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Governor Groesbeck: Road Builder and Defender of School Choice"](http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=340). [Mackinac Center for Public Policy](/source/Mackinac_Center_for_Public_Policy). Retrieved May 29, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Governor Alex J. Groesbeck"](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=87766). *Michigan Historical markers*. Retrieved January 14, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Warren Historical and Genealogical Society, Marker and Picture of Alexander Groesbeck"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080517144506/http://members.glis.net/whgs/markers.htm). Archived from [the original](http://members.glis.net/whgs/markers.htm) on May 17, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [City of Warren, Alex Groesbeck historical marker information.](http://www.cityofwarren.org/index.php/alex-j-groesbeck) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100430104654/http://www.cityofwarren.org/index.php/alex-j-groesbeck) April 30, 2010, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

## Further reading

- [Fuller, George, Ed., *Messages of the Governors of Michigan, Volume 4*](https://web.archive.org/web/20070627044805/http://msupress.msu.edu/bookTemplate.php?bookID=2558) (East Lansing, Michigan: [Michigan State University Press](/source/Michigan_State_University_Press)) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87013-723-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87013-723-9); [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87013-723-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87013-723-5).

- Woodford, Frank B. (1962) *Alex J. Groesbeck Portrait of a Public Man* (Detroit: [Wayne State University Press](/source/Wayne_State_University_Press)) 1st Edition. Hardcover. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8063-0061-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8063-0061-2). 366 pp.

## External links

- [Alexander Groesbeck at Macomb County Historical Commission.](https://web.archive.org/web/20070113115334/http://www.macombcountymi.gov/historicalcommission/historytales.htm)

- [Digital picture of Alex Groesbeck, Michigan History, Arts and Libraries.](http://seekingmichigan.cdmhost.com/seeking_michigan/discover_item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4006coll2&CISOPTR=1&search=s%3DAlexander%2BGroesbeck%26media-types%255B%255D%3Dimage%26search-button.x%3D30%26search-button.y%3D6%26search-button%3D%2B%26CISOSTART%3D6)

- [National Governors Association, Alexander Groesbeck, 30th Governor of Michigan.](https://web.archive.org/web/20110629003754/http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=65eae8569a313010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD)

- [Political Graveyard](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/gritzmacher-grosfeld.html#RH801 hpRR)

Party political offices Preceded by W. F. Knox Chair of the Michigan Republican Party 1912–1914 Succeeded by Gilman M. Dame Preceded by Albert Sleeper Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan 1920, 1922, 1924 Succeeded by Fred W. Green Legal offices Preceded by Grant Fellows Attorney General of Michigan 1917–1921 Succeeded by Merlin Wiley Political offices Preceded by Albert Sleeper Governor of Michigan 1921–1927 Succeeded by Fred W. Green

v t e Governors of Michigan Territorial (1805–1837) Hull Cass Porter Mason Horner State (since 1837) Mason Woodbridge Gordon Barry Felch Greenly Ransom Barry McClelland Parsons Bingham Wisner Blair Crapo Baldwin Bagley Croswell Jerome Begole Alger Luce Winans Rich Pingree Bliss Warner Osborn Ferris Sleeper Groesbeck Green Brucker Comstock Fitzgerald Murphy Fitzgerald Dickinson Van Wagoner Kelly Sigler Williams Swainson Romney Milliken Blanchard Engler Granholm Snyder Whitmer

v t e Attorneys general of Michigan Territorial (1805–37) LeRoy State (since 1837) Morey Platt Farnsworth Walker Mundy Lothrop Hale Howard Upson Williams Stoughton May Ball Marston Smith Kirchner Van Riper Taggart Trowbridge Huston Ellis Maynard Oren Blair Bird Kuhn Wykes Fellows Groesbeck Wiley Dougherty Retan Potter Brucker Voorhies O'Brien Toy Crowley Starr Read Rushton Dethmers Eldred Black Roth Millard Kavanagh Adams Kelley Granholm Cox Schuette Nessel

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Other SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alex J. Groesbeck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_J._Groesbeck) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_J._Groesbeck?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.