Joseph Hall Alexander

As printed in 1910

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 Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.