Joseph E. Alexander

As printed in 1882

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 history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.