Jason Kander

Kander in 2016, photo by Gino Santa Maria/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Jason David Kander

Place of Birth: Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.

Date of Birth: May 4, 1981

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English, German, Irish, Scottish (mother)

Jason Kander is an American attorney, author, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the Secretary of State of Missouri, from January 14, 2013 to January 9, 2017. He is a military veteran.

Jason is the son of Janet (Secor) and Steve Kander. He was raised in his father’s Jewish faith. Jason is married to entrepreneur and author Diana Kander, who is a Russian Jewish immigrant. The couple has two children.

Jason’s great-uncle is composer John Kander. He is also related to progressive reformer Lizzie Black Kander, who wrote The Settlement Cookbook (c. 1901).

Jason’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced back to Myer/Meyer Kander, who was born, c. 1818, in Achim, Lower Saxony, Germany, and to Myer’s wife, Sarah Ullman.

Jason’s paternal grandfather is Edward Kander (the son of Harold S. Kander and Bernice Aaron). Edward was born in Missouri. Harold was born in Missouri, the son of Felix Victor Kander, who was born in Pennsylvania, to German Jewish parents, and of Matilda E. “Tillie” Epstein, whose parents, Rabbi Elias Mayer Eppstein and Fannie Bronner, were German Jews. Bernice was also born in Missouri, the daughter of Edward Aaron, who was born in Illinois, to German Jewish parents, and of Annie Boas, who was born in New York, to German Jewish parents, from Berlin.

Jason’s paternal grandmother was Ann B. Benjamin (the daughter of Alfred Leopold Benjamin and Dorothy Block). Ann was born in Missouri. Alfred was also born in Missouri, the son of David Benjamin and Linnie. Dorothy was also born in Missouri, the daughter of Sol Block and Anna Goslin, who was born in Kansas, of German Jewish descent.

Jason’s maternal grandfather was William Leonard Secor (the son of Leonard Knox Secor and Fannie/Fanny I. Griffin). William was born in New York. Jason’s great-grandfather Leonard was the son of Elbert/Albert Osborne Secor and Amelia Knox. Fannie was the daughter of Ira J. Griffin and Jane/Jeanie Orr Anderson, who was of Irish descent.

Jason’s maternal grandmother was Helen Hortense Spears (the daughter of Kenneth/Kennie F. Spears and Lola M. Demaree). Helen was born in Indiana. Kenneth was the son of Jesse/Jessie L./T. Spears and Mary M. Caplinger/Long. Lola was the daughter of William Francis Demaree and Agatha Hyatt.

Sources: Family history of Jason Kander – http://www.columbiatribune.com

Genealogy of Jason Kander (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Jason’s maternal grandmother, Helen Hortense Spears, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Jason’s maternal grandmother, Helen Hortense (Spears) Secor – https://www.newspapers.com