DR. W. H. ALEXANDER, a rising young physician of Washington county, is a grand son of Joseph Alexander, whose father, Samuel, was born in Ireland, whence, in 1763, he emigrated to America, locating at Chadd's Ford, Chester Co., Penn. He was married to a Miss Wilson, who bore him three children, and in 1785 they moved to Allegheny country, same State. He patented 360 acres of land, lying two miles from Bridgeville, Penn., and both he and his wife died on this place. Joseph Alexander, son of Samuel, was born in 1766, on the home place at Cbadd's Ford, Chester Co., Penn., and in 1807 was united in marriage with Elizabeth West. The following year he bought and moved upon 140 acres in North Strabane township, this county. and died there March 23, 1828. The wife and mother passed away in 1869, leaving the following children: Mary (wife of James Mahood), Samuel (married to Mary Van Eman), Elizabeth (Mrs. John Dixon, of Milan, Rock Island Co., Ill.), Joseph W., West, and Susan (wife of William McQuail, a farmer of North Strabane township). Joseph W. Alexander was born April 5,1815, on the home place in Canonsburg, and from earliest youth was an earnest, vigorous student. His inclinations and natural ability soon led him to choose the medical profession as his life work. He entered Jefferson College in 1835, taking a full course with the exception of Greek. In 1838 he entered the office of Dr. Leatherland, and there studied medicine, at the same time teaching school. In 1840 he completed a thorough course at Jefferson Medical College, and then began to practice his profession in Eldersville, Washington Co., Penn., thence moving to Hillsboro, where he remained several years. On June ]8, 1844, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Morrison) Homer. On August 6, 1861, Dr. Alexander passed the State Medical Examination, and in January, 1862, passed the examination as a surgeon. He was appointed surgeon of the Twenty-sixth P. V. I., serving three years, and after the battle of Fair Oaks was made surgeon of the Eighty-fifth P. V. I., then served in the same capacity with the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the army of the Cumberland, until mustered out June 21, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. He was physician of the Morganza Reform School for many years, and passed the latter portion of his life in Canonsburg. enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the most distinguished physicians of Washington county. In August, 1885, he lost his wife, who had borne him children as follows: Laura (deceased), Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Yates) Margaret (Mrs. James F. Ray), Joseph H., Lola and William H. Dr. Alexander was originally a Whig, uniting with the Republican party upon its organization; was chairman of the first county convention. and served as a member of the Legislature in 1853. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as elder for many years. The influence of Dr. Alexander will long be felt in the community where much of his life work was accomplished. He passed to rest April 20, 1892. W. H. Alexander, a son the eminent physician above mentioned, was born ID Cannonsburg, Penn. He is a worthy representative of his honored father, whose unfinished work it has become the sacred duty of the young physician to take up. NV. H. Alexander entered Jeffeson Medical college at the age of twenty-two years, and, graduating in ]885, commenced practice with his father in Cannonsburg. He is a stanch Republican, working earnestly for the success of his party, and is undoubtedly destined to become as distinguished in his chosen calling as was his father.

Text taken from page 220 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by John R. Mort of Salt Point, NY as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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