My Genealogy Hound

John M. Alexander, stock-dealer and shipper, of California, Mo., was born in Moniteau County, Mo., February 21, 1847, and is the son of Ripley Alexander, a native of Moniteau County, Mo., and the grandson of James Alexander, who was born in Kentucky, and who was one of the earliest settlers of Missouri. He came to this State previous to its admission as a State, located in what is now Moniteau County, and here reared his family. He was on military duty in early times, and was known as Col. Alexander. Ripley Alexander was reared in Moniteau County, and was here married to Miss Lucy Maupin, also a native of Moniteau County. Mr. Alexander followed farming in this county until his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of thirty-two years. His wife survived him until 1870. Of their family of children two sons and two daughters grew to mature years, viz.: N. C. Alexander, of this county; Sarah J., wife of Dr. English, of this county; Catherine, wife of John Bruce, of Mexico, Mo.; and the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest living member of the family. He passed his boyhood days in this county, and received a good education at the common and high schools. He was married in this county to Miss Nancy Bruce, September 7, 1871. She was born in Moniteau County, Mo., and is the daughter of C. Bruce (deceased), who was one of the pioneers. After marriage Mr. Alexander settled on a farm in Linn Township, where, in connection with tilling the soil, he was also engaged in stock-raising. He sold out his farm and moved to California in 1885, and has since been exclusively occupied in buying and shipping stock. He handles and ships annually about eighty car-loads of hogs and cattle. He and wife are the parents of three children: Sarah, Pinkney and Ripley. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a Master Mason.