Joseph B. Poindexter
| Joseph Poindexter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
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| 8th Territorial Governor of Hawaii | |
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In office March 2, 1934 – August 24, 1942 |
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| Appointed by | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Lawrence M. Judd |
| Succeeded by | Ingram Stainback |
| 6th Attorney General of Montana | |
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In office 1915–1917 |
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| Governor | Sam V. Stewart |
| Preceded by | D.M. Kelly |
| Succeeded by | S.C. Ford |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Boyd Poindexter April 14, 1869 Canyon City, Oregon |
| Died | December 3, 1951 (aged 82) Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Conger |
| Children | Everton Helen |
| Alma mater |
Wesleyan University Washington University in St. Louis |
Joseph Boyd Poindexter (April 14, 1869 – December 3, 1951) was the eighth Territorial Governor of Hawaii and served from 1934 to 1942.
Joseph Boyd Poindexter was born in Canyon City, Oregon to Thomas W. and Margaret Pipkin Poindexter. He attended Wesleyan University and earned his LL.B. degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He was admitted to the Montana Bar in 1892, and served as County Attorney of Beaverhead County, Montana from 1897 to 1903. He later served as a district judge in Montana from 1909 to 1915, and as Attorney General of Montana from 1915 to 1917.
In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Poindexter as Judge on the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii. Poindexter served in that capacity from May 14, 1917 to February 16, 1924. He then practiced law in Hawaii until 1934. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Poindexter the eighth governor of Hawaii on January 30, 1934.
A joint Congressional Committee visited Hawaii in 1937 and submitted a report in February 1938 recommending a plebiscite for Hawaii statehood. The plebiscite, held on November 5, 1940, resulted in the voters recommending statehood for Hawaii.
Poindexter was reappointed to the governorship by Roosevelt in March 1938; he became only the second governor to that point to serve more than one term of office.
In the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Poindexter placed the territory under martial law and allowed the U.S. military to form a military government. The military government would continue until 1943. After his term expired, Poindexter remained in office until August 24, 1942, when his successor, Ingram Stainback, was confirmed.
An editorial at his death credited Poindexter with a balanced budget, improved civil service and wage laws that regulated child labor and improved public health and welfare. During his administration the Hawaii Housing Authority was established, and projects such as the "Mayor Wright homes" (named for George F. Wright) were begun. He advocated for larger airports and other major public works projects, including roads, parks, schools and the Ala Wai Golf Course.
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