The Alexander Families of Nodaway County, Missouri

JOSEPH E. ALEXANDER.

There is no man in Nodaway County more favorably known than Judge Alexander. He is the third of eight children of Alexander T. and Mary (McCormick) Alexander, and was born in Missouri, September 1, 1 8 1 5. His parents were natives of Lincoln County, North Carolina. They came to Missouri in 1809, and settled on a farm in Washington County, where they lived until the death of the father, in 1848. Mr. Alexander spent the early part of his life on a farm. His opportunity for acquiring an education was very limited, being simply what the common schools of a frontier settlement afforded, they being few in number and inferior in quality, but he made the best use of his advantages, and by reading and personal observation, he has acquired such general information as has given him a prominent place in society. He removed to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1842, and in the spring of 1843 came to Nodaway County, locating five miles southwest of Maryville. Here he entered and opened a farm, and for a number of years had all the difficulties of a pioneer with which to contend, characteristic upon the first settlement of a new country. He was one of Nodaway's substantial agriculturists until 1869, when he took up his above in Maryville. In 1849 ne was deputy sheriff, and filled the unfinished term of sheriff, the regular incumbent of that office having resigned and gone to California. In 1862 he was appointed by the governor as one of the county judges. In 1864 he was elected sheriff, serving for two years; as an official, Judge Alexander was found to be one of the most staunch and trustworthy. His views were clear and logical, indicating excellent judgment and a live interest for his adopted county. During his residence he has been interested to some extent in mercantile pursuits, and was a member of the first banking house in Maryville. The judge has a fine library of well selected publications, is a great reader and an interesting conversationalist. He was married October 30, 1837, to Miss Mary Ann Currier, of Orleans County, Vermont. They have seven children living: Elizabeth, Henry C, Mary Francis, Emma Jane, Lenora A., Thompson A., and Curtiss. One is deceased, Angeline.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES E. ALEXANDER, farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was born in Washington County, Illinois, February 13, 1834, and was the son of William Alexander, a school teacher, and a native of Louisiana, and Parthena B. (Jones) Alexander, of West Virginia. James resided at his birthplace until 1844, when he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and in 1849 to Appanoose County, Iowa. His youth was principally spent in the States of Illinois and Iowa. April 11, 1856, he came to Missouri, and located in the northeast corner of the county, on section 4, township 65, range 33. In the fall of 1860 Mr. A. returned to Appanoose County, Iowa, but came again to Nodaway County in the fall of 186 1. In May, 1877, he went to Kansas, but in two month's time returned. He now has 185 acres of land, an orchard of about 200 trees, and some graded stock, with necessary buildings. He was married April 1, 1855, to Miss Maria L. Hendery, daughter of John Hendery, a native of Virginia. This gentleman also came to Nodaway County at the same time of his son-in-law's arrival. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have one child: Mary Ann, born July 19, 1863. He has held the offices of school director and road overseer. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He is Democratic in politics, and belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. A. is also the owner of two residences in Maryville, and one lot east of the square and one lot near the Advent Church. His first bill for taxes in this county was seventy-five cents, and now it is about on an average of $100.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH HALL ALEXANDER.

The Alexander family has long been well established in both Mer cer and Nodaway counties, being influential and highly respected. One of the best known members of this family in Nodaway county is Joseph Hall Alexander, a farmer of Jackson township, who was born on October 7. 1850. in Mercer county. He is the son of James H. and Edna A. (Manahan) Alex under, the father born in Virginia and died on September 23, 1882. at the age of seventy-six years; the mother was born in Tennessee in the memorable year of 1812 and her death occurred on April 16, 1898, at the age of eighty-five years. James H. Alexander was twice married, first, in Tennessee, to a Miss Laughlin. His second marriage was to Mrs. Edna A. (Manahan) Porterfield. He came to Mercer county, Missouri, in the early settlement of the same, and in 1848 went to California, where he remained six years, during which time his family remained in Indiana, and there he met them upon his return from the far West. It was in 1856 that he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and purchased forty acres of land north of Pickering, and here he spent the remainder of his life. He was a farmer by occupation and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. Two children were born to Mr. Alexander by his first marriage, William and Martha, and six children were born of the second marriage, Effie, George, Addie, Joe. Lavona and Joseph H.

Joseph H. Alexander, of this review, spent his boyhood days at home and he received a common school education. On May 9. 1879. he married Viola J. Harbison, daughter of Abraham and Mary J. (Breckenridge) Harbison, of Nodaway county. Mr. Harbison was a farmer by occupation. He was drafted into service during the Civil war, but hired a substitute. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1870, but moved to California in 1883 and died there. Mrs. Harbison is living at the age of seventy-eight years. Her mother was a first cousin of Senator Breckenridge and her grandmother was a first cousin to Daniel Boone.

Joseph H. Alexander began his married life on a farm of forty acres, which his father gave him and which is now a part of his present farm. After his father’s death he became owner of the home farm, and his mother made her home with him. Adding, to his first purchase, he now has an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres, under a fine state of cultivation. In 1907 he built a modern and attractive residence, which is one of the best in the township. Mr. Alexander is a well known stock dealer, buying and feeding large numbers of livestock from time to time, especially mules. He holds annual public sales which are largely attended and which amount to a large sum of money, his well fed stock always bringing high prices.

Politically, Mr. Alexander is a Democrat, but has never aspired to any office, being too busy with his own large affairs. He is a member of the Masonic order and he and Mrs. Alexander belong to the Christian church.

Seven children have been born to them, six of whom are living, named as follows: George W., born August 16, 1882: James Newton, born April 4, 1884: Zenas R.. born May 16, 1886: Bessie B., born April 13, 1891; Joseph G., born November 7. 1894; Gladys M., born March 26, 1898: Blanche I., born April 2, 1900.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.