Sam A. Kozer
Sam A. Kozer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 10th Oregon Secretary of State | |
| In office May 28, 1920 – September 24, 1928 | |
| Governor | Ben W. Olcott Walter M. Pierce I. L. Patterson |
| Preceded by | Ben W. Olcott |
| Succeeded by | Hal E. Hoss |
| 1st Oregon Budget Director | |
| In office 1928–1931 | |
| 1st Oregon Deputy Secretary of State | |
| In office April 17, 1911 – May 28, 1920 | |
| 1st Oregon Insurance Commissioner | |
| In office 1909–1911 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1871 Steelton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1935 (aged 63) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Nannie Belcher |
| Occupation | Clerk |
Sam A. Kozer (October 19, 1871 – October 12, 1935) was an American politician who served as Oregon's Secretary of State from 1920 to 1928. He was a member of the Republican Party. Kozer also served as the Oregon's first Insurance Commissioner (1909–1911), Deputy Secretary of State (1911–1920), and Budget Director (1928–1931).
Early life
[edit]Sam A. Kozer was born in Steelton, Pennsylvania, to George M. and Cathrine Kozer.[1] He graduated high school in 1888.[2] For money, Kozer would sell local news papers and do odd jobs.[2] He remained in Pennsylvania through his late teen years working of the Pennsylvania Steel Company.[1][2] After 18 months with the company, he was promoted to the chemical laboratory.[2]
At the age of 19, Kozer moved to Oregon where he proceeded to work odd jobs.[1] His first two jobs were working on a farm and in a hotel in Gearhart, Oregon.[2] On February 1, 1890, Kozer was hired as clerk in the Clatsop County recorder's office.[1] Over the next eight years, Kozer worked at multiple other offices in Clatsop County.[2] In 1896, Kozer married Nannie Belcher of Astoria, Oregon.[2] In 1898, Frank Dunbar, Kozer's boss in the recorder's office, was elected as Secretary of State of Oregon.[1] Kozer was named chief clerk of Dunbar's office.[1]
Political career
[edit]In 1909, Kozer was appointed to the position of Insurance Commissioner by Governor Frank W. Benson, making him the first person in Oregon to hold that office.[3] Kozer's salary was US$3,000 a year.[3] He was named the Oregon's first Deputy Secretary of State in 1911.[2] He served under Ben W. Olcott in that position.[3]
On May 28, 1920, Kozer was appointed to the position of Secretary of State. He resigned that position on September 24, 1928.
Later life
[edit]After his resignation from the office of Secretary of State, Kozer was named Oregon's Budget Director.[1] Kozer was the head of the auditing department of the state board of higher education.[4] He died on October 12, 1935, in Portland, Oregon.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Oregon Secretaries of State Biographical Sketches, 1841–Present". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon State Archives. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gaston, Joseph (1912). The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811–1912. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 1048.
- ^ a b c "Oregon Insurance Division: A Snap Shot" (PDF). Oregon Insurance Regulator. Oregon Insurance Division. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ a b Lindbeck, A. L. (17 October 2010). "State Capital News". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved 28 October 2010.