My Genealogy Hound

Dr. W. J. D. Alexander, real-estate dealer, loan agent and notary public of Carlisle, was born in Fayette County, Tenn., in the year 1836, being a son of Silas and Mary (Kennedy) Alexander, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The paternal grandfather was Daniel Alexander, of Ireland nativity, and of Scotch-Irish descent, who came to the United States over 100 years ago, and settled in the Carolinas, where he followed farming and blacksmithing. The maternal grandfather was John Kennedy, who settled in Middle Tennessee when that territory was called the ‘‘Kentucky Purchase.’’ Silas Alexander, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade. Tennessee became his home when he was a young man, and there he was married, remaining until 1849, when he moved to the State of Texas and engaged in farming. This continued to be his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1869 at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter died in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1879, at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of twelve children, ten boys and two girls, seven of the boys serving in the Confederate army, four laying down their lives as a result of civil strife; four sons only survive: Joseph H. (who lives in the Indian Territory, and is a farmer and miller by occupation), Thomas C. (in Texas, and a lawyer by profession), Lin C. (also a lawyer of Waco, Tex., having served two terms as judge of the district) and Dr. Alexander. The latter was reared principally on a farm in Smith County, Tex., where he commenced the study of medicine in 1857. Later he attended the Nashville Medical College (now known as Vanderbilt), and subsequently went to Denton County, Tex., where he entered upon the practice of his profession. After having resided at Stephenville, Tex., he located in Meridian, there remaining until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Texas Cavalry, and was elected first lieutenant, in which capacity he served for about a year. Upon the reorganization of the regiment he was elected captain, and afterward major, so continuing until the close of the war. After the cessation of hostilities Dr. Alexander removed to Maury County, Tenn., where he remained about nine months. In 1866, induced by the attractions Arkansas offered to come here, he located in Prairie County, where he practiced until 1872, going thence to Grand Prairie, before Carlisle was thought of. Since coming to Carlisle he has been actively engaged in practicing, farming and in real-estate business, and was commissioned notary in 1883. In professional and business circles his reputation is thoroughly established, and he enjoys the esteem of many acquaintances. Dr. Alexander was married in 1869 in Texas, to Miss Fannie Conner, a native of Tennessee, but reared in Texas. They are the parents of two sons: Lin and Will. Dr. Alexander is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is a stock holder in the Carlisle Publishing Company, and is justly considered one of the leading men of the place.