The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-04
e. O N F l N u E n
from page one
Alex Stern, Fargo
Business Leader,
Is Taken by Death

ernor Fancher and Governor Hanna.
Mr.. Stern was q director in many
OF the largest business institutions OF
Fargo and other enterprises In North
Dakota and South Dakota. In 1910.
with his brother, Max, he created the
Dakota Trust company OF which con-
Germ Max became president. At the
time of the death of Max in 1916. Alex
Stern took over the duties Of hts
brother.
In 1921, with several associates, Mr..
Stern started the Dakota National
bank in this city which has grown
until 1t is classed among the largest
institutions of it's kind in this state
He was the first president of the in
stitution and has remained In that
capacity since.
On August l, 1925, the Northern
and Dakota Trust companies were
consolidated and Mr. Stern was nam
ed chairman Of the board Of directors.
The new concern Is known as the
Northern and Dakota Trust company.
Had Wide Interests
Besides his banking and other bus
mess interests, Mr.. Stern acquired
considerable property in Fargo and
had an interest in some OF its largest
buildings.
Fraternally he was a 32nd degree
Mason. a member Of the Mystic shrine,
as we'll as a member of the Foresters,
B. p. O. E., I. O. B. B. lodge and 9TH
er fraternal societies. Politically he
was a Republican but formerly was
with the Democrats until the cam
paign of 1896 when he Withdrew from
their ranks an account Of the free sill
yer question.
Six years after he had established
himself in the then prairie town OF
Fargo, Mr.. Stern married Miss Bertha
Aurora Kaufman of Aurora, Nevada,
and three sons were born to them,
William. Sam and Edward
Mr.. Stern can be said to have large
" contributed to the upbuilding Of
Fargo as city and the state Of North
Dakota. More than once the public
showed its regard and appreciation of
his efforts by comforting upon him
honors that came to him unsolicited.
Mr.. Stern was Fargo's wartime
mayor. Prior to the World war, how
ever, he served for many years as q
member Of the city's governing body.
He was member Of the city council
for four years from 1896 to 1899. and
was again elected to the council In
1908. serving through 1909. He was
elected to the Fargo city commission.
the form Of government having
changed In the interim, and served as
commissioner OF finance from 1913
Until 1917. In 1917 he was elected
president of the commission, serving
III that capacity through the war and
until 1921.
Three Sons Enlisted
His three sons, William, Sam and
Edward. enlisted in the U. S. army
Sam and William reside in Fargo. Sam
being vice president OF the Stern
Clothing company and William,
cashier Of the Dakota National bank.
Edward resides in New York and is
cashier of the Greenbaum Securities
company Of that city.
Mr.. Stern established wide repu-
tation as a friend OF those In need
and was exceptionally active In local.
national and international move
ElentS for the aid Of starving peoples,
not only Jewish but of all faiths.
In 1915 he was named treasurer for
North Dakota OF the United Jewish
Appeal, an organization formed to
bring material aid to the starving Jew
ish people in Central Europe. Through
his efforts, thousands of dollars we're
subscribed in the larger communities
o. North Dakota to be used In this
cause. He held the position OF treas
urer for more than IL years. carrying
on the work throughout the World
war when the inhabitants of central
Europe were driven hither and thither
by the movements of armies engaged
in the conflict.
Besides this responsible position, he
was trustee for many years OF the
Cleveland Orphans home at Cleveland.
Ohio, Jewish institution. At the
time Of his death he was the state
director for North Dakota of the Ma
tional Jewish hospital for the tuber-
cular patients at Denver Colorado.
In addition to his immediate family
Mr.. Stern leaves one sister. She Is
Mrs. S. Kahn. residing in Minneapolis.