Alexander Stern
(June 7, 1857-1934)
The Edward Building was the site of the Alex Stern & Company’s clothing store.
Alex Stern was born on June 7, 1857 in Giessen, Germany. He immigrated to the United states in 1871. Mr. Stern arrived in Fargo in 1882 and opened the city’s first clothing store. He is the first know Jewish person to land in Fargo. On July 5, 1885 he married Bertha. They had three sons: William, Samuel, and Edward.
Mr. Stern was a very influential man during the founding of Fargo, both through the business world as well as politically. He was influential in the opening of Alex Stern & Company in 1885. [1] He purchased Chapin Hall, the local opera house, in 1888,[2] was the Vice President of the Fargo Packing Company, President of Fargo Plumbing, Director of Merchant’s State Bank, President of Fargo City Council, was on the Board of Directors for the Agriculture College and was the trustee of said college for four years.[3]
Here is a copy of his letter from the secretary of the State giving him the position of trustee of the Agriculture College.
Here is his letter asking for endorsement for President of the City Commission. He was the mayor of Fargo from 1917-1921.
For more information on Alex Stern’s life please go here.
Heather Brinkman, Digital History 2012
[1] Caron, John. “Fargo, N.D., History Exhibition, Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU.” Fargo, N.D., History Exhibition, Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU. North Dakota State University, 2004. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/people/stern.htm>.
[2] Caron, John. “Fargo, N.D., (First) Opera House” Fargo, N.D., History Exhibition, Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU. North Dakota State University, 2004. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. http://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/theaters/first-opera-house.htm
[3] Caron, John. “Fargo, N.D., History Exhibition, Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU.” Fargo, N.D., History Exhibition, Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU. North Dakota State University, 2004. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/people/stern.htm>.
