Benjamin Baker Moeur

Benjamin Baker Moeur ( born December 22, 1869 in Decherd, Tennessee, † March 16, 1937 in Tempe, Arizona ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and 1933-1937 Governor of the State of Arizona.

Early years and political rise

Moeur graduated in 1896 at the Arkansas Industrial University, where he earned a Medical Degree. Then he moved in the same year to Tempe in Arizona, where he established a medical practice and is involved in several business ventures. He decided in 1910 to pursue a political career when he became a member of Arizona's Constitutional Convention. Moeur spent eight years in the Tempe School Board and twelve years in Tempe Normal School Board (now Arizona State University) worked.

Governor of Arizona

On 8 November 1932 he was elected governor of Arizona, and sworn in on January 2, 1933. He was re-elected on November 6th, 1934 for a second term. Moeur held the office during the height of the Great Depression and took a few steps to ease the economic situation. He led the sales, luxury and income taxes, reduced the wealth tax to 40 percent and suggested the state Legislature before the budget to cut by 4.5 million dollars. Furthermore, it started during his administration with the Yuma - Gila Reclamation Project, the 21 articles of the constitution was ratified by Arizona and the overflow for the Hoover Dam officially opened to provide water for the irrigation of the land within the state. Moeur ran unsuccessfully in 1936 for a third term as governor. He left his office on January 4, 1937.

Dr. Benjamin Baker Moeur died on March 16, 1937, just two months after he had left office. He was then buried in the Butte Cemetery in Tempe, Arizona. He was married to a Honor G. Anderson. The couple had four children together.