EDWARD GRAHAM ALEXANDER, a prosperous farmer of East Finley township, is a grandson of John Alexander, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to Fayette county, Penn., in an early day, where his children were born and reared. Edward Alexander, son of the pioneer John, was born in Fayette county, Penn., November 14, 1792, and when yet a boy came in company with two brothers to Ohio, which was then considered "out West." They located in the northern part of the State, and remained there some time, but Edward, becoming discontented, returned to Washington county, Penn., and took a contract for the construction of one mile of the "National pike," west of Washington borough. On April 4,1816, Mr. Alexander was married to Sarah Shoaff, a native of Virginia (born near Rumley), of German ancestry, and the following children were born to them: James, Jacob, Edward Graham (subject), David (deceased in infancy), Hezekiah and Sarah Jane (wife of Jesse Plants), living in East Finley township. Our subject and the daughter just named are the only living members of the above family. After his marriage Mr. Alexander lived some time on Buffalo creek, and in 1825 came to East Finley township, locating on the farm now occupied by his son Edward, which is situated on Templeton fork of Wheeling creek, about half a mile from its mouth. Mr. Alexander continued to reside on this farm until his death, which occurred in the year 1874. His wife died in 1880.
Edward Graham Alexander was born in East Finley township, Washington county, June 8, 1820, and passed his boyhood on the farm. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Hannah Vanderhoof, who was born June 24, 1829, a daughter of Peter Vanderhoof, a native of New Jersey. She bore him children as follows: Margaret J., Hezekiah, William, Isabel (who died February 15, 1890), Mary, Sarah, Amanda, James, Rosanna, Catherine and Jacob. After his marriage Mr. Alexander moved into a log cabin near his present home, and began the struggle of life. By dint of incessant toil and tireless energy he has succeed in accumulating a comfortable property, and also in winning and retaining the highest regard of all who know him. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He attends the Windy Gap C. P. Church, of which his wife is a member.
Text taken from page 501 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]