BIO: WILLIAM ALEXANDER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
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  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 246-247
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    WILLIAM ALEXANDER (deceased) was, in his day, one of the prosperous farmers
  and business men of Carlisle, where he died in 1865. He was of the third
  generation of the family in Cumberland county, his grandfather having settled
  here on his emigration from the North of Ireland, where he was born. He was
  one of five brothers, four of whom came to America, the other remaining in
  Ireland to care for the widowed mother. The Alexanders came to this country
  about the same time as the Eges, who were also from Ireland, but the latter
  family settled in the mountains, where they engaged in burning charcoal,
  while the Alexanders devoted their time to tilling the soil.
  
    John Alexander, father of William, was born Aug. 14, 1753, and was a
  soldier in the Revolutionary war. On May 8, 1781, he married Jane Byers, who
  was born April 27, 1758, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom
  we have the following record: (1) John, born April 21, 1782, became a
  distinguished attorney of Greensburg, Pa. He married a Miss Smith. (2) James,
  born May 22, 1783, died unmarried. (3) Thomas, born Oct. 9, 1784, died
  unmarried. (4) Isabella, born Sept. 2, 1786, married Andrew Carruthers, of
  Carlisle, who was known as the "honest lawyer." She died in Carlisle. (5)
  Rebecca, born May 9, 1788, married Eli Coulter, of Greensburg, Pa., and died
  there. (6) William is mentioned below. (7) Samuel, born Sept. 20, 1792,
  married Ann Susan Blaine, a descendant of Col. Ephraim Blaine, and cousin of
  James G. Blaine. Samuel Alexander was a noted attorney in Carlisle, was in
  command of the home militia, and became known as Gen. Alexander. (8) Robert,
  born Aug. 13, 1794, died the next day. (9) Jane Mary, born Oct. 11, 1795,
  married Rev. William Anderson, a Presbyterian minister, and died in the West.
  Their son; John, was also a Presbyterian minister. (10) Margaret Elizabeth,
  born Dec. 8, i800, married Joseph Kuhns, an attorney of Greensburg, where she
  died.
  
    William Alexander was born May 7, 1790, in Dickinson township, on the
  Spring road, on what is known as the old Byers home farm. He was reared to
  farming, and received only a limited education, for he was obliged to begin
  work early, being a mere boy when his father died. Learning the saddler's
  trade, he followed same for some years, and after his marriage bought the
  home in which his daughters now live, at the corner of East and Louther
  streets, a strongly built house of stone, and gave up
  
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  247
  
  his trade to engage in farming with his brother-in-law, George W. Shaffer.
  They bought land in South Middleton township, which they cultivated, and Mr.
  Alexander also had a brewery on North East street, which he carried on for a
  number of years, continuing thus until his death, which occurred at the old
  home just mentioned in June, 1865. He was a successful business man, and one
  of the most respected citizens of his day, and a faithful supporter of the
  Whig and Republican parties in politics.
  
    On Dec. 5, 1803, Mr. Alexander married Mary Aughinbaugh, who preceded him
  to the grave, her death occurring June 30, 1850, at the old home. Their
  family consisted of six children, viz: Jane Mary, John B., William G.,
  Samuel, Annie I. and Laura E., all deceased but the two last named, who 
  now occupy the old home. Miss Annie I. Alexander is a member of the First
  Presbyterian Church of Carlisle. Both ladies are among the most highly
  respected residents of that place, sharing the esteem in which all the
  members of this family have been held.