Adolphus
F. Alexander
REV.
ADOLPHUS F. ALEXANDER is one of the best known and most popular
clergymen of Washington county, an earnest Christian and thorough
gentleman. His genealogy may be traced back through the centuries to an
influential family of Scotland, of whom one John Alexander was a member.
This ancestor was a prominent citizen of
Lanark, Scotland, and lived there during the year 1710. Among his
children a son, John, born about 1700, was married to Margaret, daughter
of Ronald Glasson, a resident of Glasgow, Scotland. Religious
persecution was then raging, and many adherents of Presbyterianism fled
to other countries. Among this number were John and Margaret Alexander,
who sought a refuge in the County Armagh, Ireland, remaining there a few
years. In 1736 the entire family, comprising the parents, three sons and
two daughters, accompanied by Hugh and James Alexander (two nephews of
Mr. Alexander), and Mrs. Polk (a niece), set sail for America. Their
first landing place was either at Philadelphia, Penn., or at New Castle,
Del.; their first settlement was made about thirty miles west of New
Castle, Del, near the Maryland line, on the eastern side of Octorara
creek, in Nottingham, Chester Co., Penn. The party resided in this
locality a few years and then separated, the two nephews with Mrs. Polk
moving to Mecklenburg county, N.C. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, with their
son John and two daughters, moved to a farm near Carlisle, Penn., which
they afterward sold, locating near Chambersburgh, Penn., where the
parents died about the time of the Revolution. Of these children born to
this pioneer couple the following is a record:
Hugh, the eldest son was born about 1724,
in County Armagh, Ireland, and in early life learned the wheelwright and
carpenter trades, which he followed in Chester county, Penn. In 1752 he
was united in marriage with Martha Edmiston, daughter of David and
Margaret (Donnel) Edmiston. Mrs. Alexander was born about 1734. Her
children were Margaret, John, Mary, David, and Hugh. The mother died,
and in 1773 Mr. Alexander was married to Lettice, widow of James
Thompson. Three children were born to this union: James, William and
Emily (twins). The parents finally moved to a farm in Sherman Valley,
Perry Co., Penn., where he died in March, 1777, and in 1797 the widow,
with her two children, James and Emily, moved to McKeesport, Penn. The
children were married, and the mother died in Butler county, Penn., at
the home of a son who was born to her first marriage.
James Alexander, second son of John and
Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, was born in 1726, in the County Armagh,
Ireland, having been but ten years of age when the family came to
America. He was married in Cumberland county, Penn., to Rosa, daughter
of Robert Reed. James Alexander possessed an indomitable spirit of
energy and enterprise. He longed for more "worlds to conquer,"
and resolved to explore Pennsylvania, which was, at that time, a
pathless wilderness. Undaunted by the warnings of his less courageous
neighbors, the young pioneer began his perilous journey. He first
ascended the Susquehanna river, then along the Juniata, and following
the course of the roaring waters of Kishacoquillas, soon found himself
in the heart of a mighty wilderness, over one hundred miles from home,
an easy prey to the prowling brute or lurking Indian foe. He and
ascended the latter stream but a short distance, when a beautiful and
fertile valley, hemmed in by mountains and covered with heavy timber,
greeted his delighted eyes. Here he determined to found a new
settlement, and in 1755 took out the patent for 1,000 acres of mellow,
limestone soil, in the beautiful but lonely wilderness. On returning to
Carlisle, Penn., he pictured in glowing colors of the beauties and
advantages of the country, but his enthusiasm failed to infuse the
necessary courage for so hazardous an enterprise. One friend, however,
proved himself a kindred spirit, so accompanied by their families and
chattels, William Brown and James Alexander took possession of the
fertile valley. Mr. Brown located near the entrance, and James settled
five miles west, his nearest neighbor having been Logan, the famous
chief of the Mingo tribe. With stout arms and hearts the heroic pioneers
fell to their herculean task of clearing away the forest, which was only
accomplished after many years of toil. Although deprived of church and
educational privileges, the truest of heart-worship was found in these
lowly homes, for as Bryant has truly said, "The groves were God's
first temples; ere man learned to hew the shaft and lay the architrave,
here he worshiped," and more sincere worship never rose to the
Creator, than ascended from the humble altars of the pioneers. The cabin
of James Alexander was indeed a very Bethel -- morning and night the
word of God was read, and the sacred notes of song and prayer rose to
the pure sky above. The Sabbath was a time of rest, and prayerful study
of the Bible, the catechism and confession of faith, and every evening a
veritable "Cotter's Saturday Night." In this wild country a
little church was finally erected, with which James Alexander was
prominently identified. The whole valley was at one time known as Armagh
township, in honor of his birthplace. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
had settled in the valley, the Mingo chief, Logan, visited their cottage
during the absence of the husband, and having won the confidence of a
little son, carried him away to his own cabin, the terrified mother not
daring to resist. Several hours passed, and the almost frantic woman
decided to follow and attempt to rescue her child, when to her
unutterable relief she met the friendly chief returning the little
fellow in his arms, his tiny feet shod with beautiful beaded moccasins
made by the distinguished warrior. During the winter of 1777-78 James
Alexander served in the commissary department of the Colonial Army at
Valley Forge, receiving for that service 1,600 acres of land, in
Clearfield county, Penn. He died in 1791, and was buried at the brick
Presbyterian church at West Kishacoquillas. The following children were
born to this family: Jane, born in 1763; Robert, born in 1766; Rachel,
born in 1780; William B., born in 1782; Rosanna, born in 1784; and Reed,
born in 1786, also others who were deceased in youth.
John Alexander, youngest son of John and
Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, resided on the old estate in Chambersburgh,
Penn., which he inherited from his father. He was a prominent military
man, and served as an officer in the first company formed in Franklin
county, Penn., November, 1776. Rachel Alexander, eldest daughter of John
and Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, was born in County Armagh, Ireland,
and came to America with her parents. In 1763 she was united in marriage
with Joseph Vance, a resident of Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., W. Va. The
young people first located in the Kishacoquillas Valley, afterward
moving to a place near Honeywood Mills, Berkeley Co., W. Va., where they
died, leaving six children, namely: Samuel, Alexander, Rachel, John,
Joseph and Jane. Margaret Alexander, youngest child of John and Margaret
(Glasson) Alexander, lived to and adult age, but was never married.
Robert Alexander, the eldest son of James
and Rosa (Reed) Alexander, was born in October, 1766, and grew to
manhood on the home farm. After the death of his father he located near
Stone Mountain, in the Kishacoquillas Valley. On April 8, 1790, he
married Elizabeth McClure. Her mother was a Miss Scott, a native of
Scotland, her father was born in Ireland, and, afterward immigrating to
America, settled in East Kishacoquillas, Penn., where Elizabeth was born
March 8, 1768. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander began life on the home farm. He
was a man of incorruptible integrity, possessing a sound judgment and
remarkable power of memorizing, having been able to repeat a sermon
verbatim after once listening to it. His disposition was so averse to
disputes, that during the forty-five years of service as a justice of
the peace, he tried but two cases, settling those without costs. In 1823
he was elected to the Legislature by the largest Democratic majority
ever given in his district, but no persuasion could induce him to accept
the nomination for reelection. He was an earnest and zealous member of
the Presbyterian Church, and died in August, 1843, having been preceded
by his wife in 1832. She had borne him children as follows: Elizabeth,
born July 7, 1791; James, born January 17, 1793; Mary, born July 13,
1795; Robert Mc., born November 1, 1797; Nancy, born June 29, 1800;
Robert R., born November 2, 1802; William, born March 3, 1805; Cyrus and
Silas (twins), born September 30, 1807; and Celia, born March 8, 1810.
Cyrus Alexander was born in Union
township, Mifflin Co., Penn. On February 6, 1835, he selected as a life
companion in the person of Mary Brown, who was born February 4, 1814, in
Armagh township, Mifflin Co., Penn. The children of this marriage were
Robert Mc., born August 2, 1836, deceased November 8, of the same year;
James B., living in Indiana, born November 7, 1837; Robert B., born
March 9, 1840, deceased May 6, 1882; Cyrus R., born August 20, 1842,
deceased April 7, 1847; Ira, born July 30, 1849, deceased February 10,
1850; Sidney, born February 17, 1851, deceased March 27, 1851; and Lot,
a practicing physician of Pendleton, Ind., born August 28, 1853. Cyrus
and Mary (Brown) Alexander began married life on the old homestead, but
afterward purchased a farm nearby, where their lives were passed.
Politically, he was a Whig and a Republican, but preferred the quiet
duties of private life to the turmoil of politics. He and his wife were
active workers in and zealous members of the Presbyterian Church. He
died January 6, 1884, followed by his wife January 10, 1892. Both
parents are buried in the Milroy cemetery.
Adolphus F. Alexander, the subject of this
sketch, was born November 7, 1844, in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin
Co., Penn. He attended the common schools of the district, also spending
a short time at the Kishacoquillas seminary. On August 21, 1861, he
enlisted at Lewistown, Penn., in Company C, Forty-fifth Regiment, P.V.I.,
serving three years and ten months. He took part in the engagements at
Cold Harbor, South Mountain, Antietam, and siege of Knoxville, having
been all through the campaign around Petersburgh, Va., and in numerous
minor engagements. He returned at the close of the war, having escaped
injury save a slight wound received at Cold Spring, Tenn. After the war
Mr. Alexander resumed his literary studies at Milroy, Penn., soon
afterward entering Washington and Jefferson College. He then began the
study under Orvis & Alexander, of Bellefonte, Penn., and in 1870 was
admitted to the bar at Lewistown, Penn. He then practiced a short time
at Pittsburgh, and in 1875 entered the Western Theological Seminary of
Allegheny, graduating in 1879. After graduation he accepted a call to
the Church at Preemption, Mercer Co., Ill., where he remained until
1883, and then took charge of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church at
Florence, Penn., which has since been his field of labor. On March 11,
1886, he was united in marriage with Flora Anderson, niece of G.W. and
Mary Conn, who bore him two children: Mary and Cyrus C. Mrs. Alexander
died October 10, 1890, leaving the sacred memory of a beloved wife and
mother, and a Christian woman. Rev. Alexander is an earnest worker in
the harvest field of his Master, and his friends are numbered among
every denomination.
Commemorative
Biographical Record of Washington County, PA, page 30