JAMES SANSOM ALEXANDER, banker and member of the firm of Alexander & Co., third son of Joseph and Mary (Jones) Alexander, was born in Williamsport (now Monongahela) August 28, 1828. He was partly educated at Blake's and Hazzard's academies, in Williamsport, finishing his education as Washington College. He then entered his father's store as a clerk, eventually becoming a partner, and has since, through a long term of service, been thoroughly identified with the firm of Alexander & Co., in whose fortunes he has been an active and important factor. On January 16, 1859, Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Susan Stoddard King, daughter of Samuel and Mary B. (Williams) King, of Dayton, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Alexander was a man of importance in his community, an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Dayton, and was highly esteemed as a Christian and a gentleman. Part of Dayton is built on the farm he patented. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela. They have four children: Mary E., Harriet K., William H. (with Alexander & Co.,) and Frederick K. (teller of the Fort Pitt National Bank, Pittsburgh). The subject of this sketch has devoted himself mainly to domestic and business affairs. He has traveled considerably, and is a frequent visitor to the Eastern cities, where he has a large circle of acquaintances, but his pleasures lie chiefly in his family circle and in his library. In all matters pertaining to the practical progress of the community he takes an active interest; but valuing the independence of a private citizen, generally declines any public office, although he has served as clerk of the councils and as treasurer of the school board; he is now president of the board of deacons and trustees of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Alexander's life has been and is yet devoted to business; with unusual health, industry and ability he has for years given vigorous attention to the affairs of Alexander & Co., and is always to be found at the counter, ever ready and prompt to meet the demands of the times. ALEXANDER. The first Alexander family in Washington county, of whom there is any record, was on Elias Alexander, who was born in 1680, and died in 1780. His son, Isaac, was born December 16, 1715. Isaac had one son, Joseph, born in Maryland July 9, 1765, and died in Ohio July 9, 1847. Joseph married Rose Ann Jones, also a native of Maryland, born October 17, 1765, and died in Ohio in 1850. She was a sister of William Jones, who lived near Ginger Hill, Washington county. Joseph and Rose Ann (Jones) Alexander had nine children: Elizabeth (Betsy), Sally, Mary (Polly), Hannah, Joseph (of whom special mention will be made hereafter), Elijah, James C., Bela and Rose Ann. Of these Betsy and Polly married two brothers named Sheplar, uncles of Capt. Joseph Sheplar, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland Co., Penn. The Sheplars moved to northern Ohio on or near the Maumee river, about the year 1845, having previous to that time liven in Holmes county, Ohio. Elijah Alexander died at the age of nineteen, unmarried. Hannah married Benjamin Thomas, lived in Westmoreland county, and died August 9, 1863. James S. was married twice, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Bailey (the name of second wife cannot be given at present writing). His children by first marriage were: John Bailey, Drummond, Martha, James, Alvira, Julia, and a daughter who died in infancy. Of these children Alvira married James Mills, on of the editors of the Pittsburgh Post. Bela Alexander was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and married a Miss Barnes (both now deceased). Rose Ann Alexander married John Mosely (both now deceased). Of this family the direct progenitor of the subjects proper of this memoir was Joseph (the fifth child), who was born at Ten-Mile Creek, Washington Co., Penn., April 1, 1795, and died at Monongahela June 20, 1871. On March 8, 1819, he was married by Rev. John White, to Mary Jones (daughter of William Jones, of Westmoreland county, Penn.), who died August 15, 1856. The had eight children: William Jones (of whom mention will be made further on), Rose Ann (born March 5, 1822, married to Dr. Nelson A. Adams), Eliza (born in Westmoreland county, April 3, 1824, married December 28, 1846, to Capt. David B. Herron), Elijah Bascom (born in Westmoreland county, May 6, 1826, died June 29, 1827), James Sansom (mention of whom will be made farther on), Mary Emeline (born at Williamsport, now Monongahela, April 15, 1831, died October 5, 1889), Amanda Malvina (born at Williamsport April 29, 1833, died April 9, 1854), and Hannah Theresa (born at Williamsport December 31, 1835, died March 13, 1843). The early life of Joseph Alexander was spent on the farm on Ten-Mile creek, later on a farm in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. Subsequently the family moved to Barnesville, Ohio, while he received such education as the time and place afforded, and it is apparent that he profited by these opportunities, and was fairly well educated for his time and circumstances. During his life in Barnesville his father was interested in teaming and transporting supplies for United States troops, then engaged in the war of 1812. Joseph was then employed by his father as a teamster, and among his associates and companions was Tom Corwin, who became famous in after years as a statesman, serving as governor of Ohio, United States senator, etc. Corwin was employed by Joseph's father also as a teamster, the two boys occupying the same room. After marriage he settled on a farm in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, where William, Rose Ann, Eliza and Elijah were born. In 1828 he moved to Williamsport (now Monongahela) and entered into the mercantile business, living there until the time of his death in 1871, with the exception of two years between April 1, 1829, to April 1, 1831, during which interval he resided in Cookstown (now Fayette City). Joseph Alexander was prominently identified with the moral, social and business interest of Monongahela, serving frequently as a member of council, and school board. He was a member and trustee of the M.E. Church; was an original stockholder, and among the first managers of Williamsport Bridge Company. His long and honorable career as a merchant gave him a wide acquaintance in Washington and adjacent counties, as his frank and manly traits of character, as well as his uprightness and native kindness, won for him the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends. For a long period (since 1850) he was associated in business with his sons, under the firm of Alexander & Co., at first in mercantile and subsequently in banking business. Joseph Alexander was progressive and enterprising in all his efforts; and in the various positions of honor and trust he occupied was always zealous and faithful. He was a member of the schoolhouse on Chess street, now occupied as a primary school, and was earnest in advocating the importance of the new building which met with considerable opposition, giving much of his time and personal attention in superintending the erection of the building. He was also a member of the board of trustees of the M.E. Church at the time of the erection of the present edifice (as well as the edifice preceding it, which was erected in 1833), and although then advanced in years and feeble health gave liberally and was active and earnest in his efforts in behalf of the movement. He was a man of uncompromising integrity and of strong convictions -- fearless and aggressive in the expression of his opinions and unhesitatingly championing any cause which he believed to be right. He was one of the first to avow anti-slavery and abolition sentiments, at a time when such ideas were by no means regarded with favor. During the war of the Rebellion he was fervently loyal to the United States Government, and fiercely intolerant of any other sentiments. He died at the age of seventy-six -- after a life of honest purpose and honest industry, his declining years having been spent in comfort and ease amongst his children, six of whom were living, all in the course of honorable and successful careers; his sons following along the same lines of life that he had trod with ability and success, but with ampler means and more extended interests. WILLIAM J. ALEXANDER, Monongahela, is the eldest son of Joseph and Mary (Jones) Alexander, and the senior member of the firm of Alexander & Co., bankers, Monongahela. When the subject of this sketch was eight years old his father removed to Williamsport (now Monongahela), entered into the mercantile business and lived there until his death, with the exception of two years spent in Cookstown (now Fayette City). The education of William J. Alexander was such as was usually obtained at the common subscription schools of that day, and early in life (in 1836) he began his business career in Pittsburgh, under the employ of Andrew Pierce. However, his term of service in Pittsburgh was of short duration, for his father requiring his assistance in the business in Monongahela, he came home and entered his father's store, where the advantage of his energy and capacity were soon manifest. In the spring of 1843 he became the junior partner of J. Alexander & Son, which copartnership continued until the present firm of Alexander & Co. was organized in 1850, the style remaining unchanged since that date. In the early days of his business career his father, quick to recognize and acknowledge the son's practical business ability, and having firm faith in his sagacity and persevering industry, yielded to him the responsible management of the business from the time he was admitted into partnership. Since that date to the present time he has been actively engaged in business, and has been the recognized head of the firm of Alexander & Co., which under his lead has achieved its present success and enviable reputation, making fifty years of active business life. On November 14, 1844, William J. Alexander was married to Eliza Morrison, daughter of John and Margaret (Porter) Morrison. Prior to the year 1864, the firm of Alexander & Co. conducted the dry-goods business in connection with banking. During that year the dry-goods interests were disposed of, and the business has since been exclusively banking. The firm is now (January 1893) composed of William J. Alexander, James S. Alexander and Joseph Alexander Herron. While Mr. Alexander has given his earnest and active attention to his varied business interests, he has from his earliest manhood been more or less engaged in the promotion of every practical project for improving the material, moral and educational welfare of the community in which he has lived. He has been an active participant in the management of municipal and educational matters, and has enjoyed to a rare degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen, as has been testified to, in numerous elections. In 1888, the unusual compliment was paid to him of the nomination as controller by both parties. He is now president of the Monongahela Gas Company; has been identified with the management of the Monongahela cemetery since the inception of the enterprise twenty-six years ago; has been a member and officer in the First Presbyterian Church for nearly fifty years. Throughout the great Rebellion he was prompt and earnest in all his duties as a loyal citizen. He served as captain of Company G, Eighteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia of 1862 (an organization called out by Gov. Curtin to meet an exigency of the war), and served with his regiment on the borders of Pennsylvania and Maryland during the last days of the memorable campaign which closed by the repulse and defeat of the rebel forces under Lee at South Mountain and Antietam. Capt. Alexander's company was recruited in Monongahela, and was composed entirely of his neighbors and friends. There were eighty-two officers and men mustered into the United States service in Company G, etc,., and of these thirty-three are known to be dead, with date and place of death; twenty-two are now (1893) residents of Monongahela, most of their residences known. The names of the survivors residing in Monongahela are Alexander, William J.; Boyd, Reese; Blythe, James; Blythe, John; Collins, Thomas; Corrin, Edward; Finley, J. Barclay; Graham, A.V.; Gibson, Henry; Linn, Dr. George A.; Lawrence, Hon. George V.; McCurdy, T. Stockton; McGrew, James; Patterson, John; Robinson, Joseph C.; Smith, A. Mason; Wilson, S. Clark; King, Richard C.; Wilson, William H.; Kennedy, James; Van Voorhis, Clinton; Long, J. K. While the subject of this sketch has traveled much, and is familiar with most points of interest in his country, his life and habits have been essentially domestic. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have no children, but their family circle was enlarged and enlivened by the presence of the three brothers of Mrs. Alexander -- Joseph, Andrew and Dr. M. P. Morrison. While the two former were practicing lawyers in Pittsburgh, yet most of their leisure was spent at their Monongahela City home, which being almost contiguous to the Alexander residence, during the life of the Morrison brothers their intimate relations and almost daily society made a family circle of congenial, cultivated and delightful intercourse. In the persuit of Mr. Alexander's well-known musical and literary tastes, he has accumulated a valuable library, to which is now added the collections of Joseph, Andrew and M.P. Morrison, all of whom were collectors of books, of cultivated intelligence and tastes. The collection now contains many rare and valuable old editions, and editions de lux, besides old manuscripts of interest and value. From this collection it has been the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander to donate to the Carnegie Library of Allegheny the rare and valuable edition of "Audubon's Birds of America." We refer to two of the many notices of this gift. The Pittsburgh Daily Post of September 3, 1891, ways: "The arrangements were concluded on yesterday between W. J. Alexander, the well-known banker of Monongahela City, and Miss Sarah H. Patterson of Allegheny. The work presented is one of great value on account of its excellent perservation, fine condition, great scarcity and a demand that can not be supplied at even great prices. There are about 500 plates over 3x2 feet, and contain the life-size paintings of the largest birds. There are seven volumes quarto of the text as good as new.' Mr. Alexander refused all offers from the Carnigie Free Library, as well as others, for the purchase of the work, preferring to donate it for the use of the public; and the generous gift will doubtless be appreciated by all." The Boston Transcript says: "The Carnegie Free Library in Allegheny, Penn., has become the fortunate possessor of Audubon's Birds of America,' the gift of Mrs. William J. Alexander, of Monongahela City. The work is one of considerable rarity and of great value, copies of the original edition selling at from $2,500 to $4,000. It is not generally known that the great naturalist's daughters live in the old homestead near Audubon Park, overlooking the Hudson. They were once possessed of considerable wealth, but it was lost through unfortunate investments, and they are now in somewhat straitened circumstances. Some of the big handsome plates from which Audubon's monumental work was printed are preserved in the Museum of Natural History in Central Park." In conclusion. Mr. Alexander is still engaged in business, but has reached that period of life, when he must necessarily give less attention to details. By sound and conservative business methods, he has acquired ample means; and while business still demands some time and attention, the principal portion of his time is now spent at his home and in his library.

Text taken from page 134 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Sharon McConnell of Fontana, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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