Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
HUGH PADEN ALEXANDER, residing on
section 22, Union Township, Anderson
County, is an enterprising business man,
who is engaged in general farming and
stock-raising. He has been a resident of Anderson County since 1882, and at once became identified with all progressive movements in this locality. Prior to this time he lived in Marshall
County, Kan., for several years, and has made his
fortune in the west.
Mr. Alexander was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., August, 3, 1836. John Alexander, his
father, was also a native of that county, but his
grandfather, who bore the same Christian name,
was a native of the North of Ireland. Four generations back the Alexanders were residents of
Scotland, but for some reason removed to the
northern part of the Emerald Isle. Our subject's
grandfather emigrated to America and settled in
Huntingdon County, Pa., where his death occurred.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
Mary Jane Sheller. She was a daughter of Christian Sheller, a native of Germany, who came with
his parents to America at the age of six years. The
great-grandfather on the maternal side, Hugh Paden, was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, and
the family was a very prominent one in those days.
Mr. Sheller was reared in Lancaster County, of the
Keystone State, and died in Union County at the
age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Mary Alexander
was born in Dauphin County, and by her marriage
became the mother of seven children, Hugh P. being the eldest, and the others as follows: Martha
A., James O., Samuel C, Maggie E., Florence C.
and Mary J. After the marriage of our subject's
parents they settled in Huntingdon County, Pa.,
where they lived for several years, thence removing to Blair County, of the same state, where the
mother died in 1848. the family afterward removed to Union County, Pa., where the father
died in 1876.
After the death of his mother, when our subject was twelve years of age, he went to live
with an uncle, staying with him for two years.
With that exception he remained with his father
until he became of age, passing his youth on a
farm. When he left home he took charge of the
farm of William Frick, the father of H. C. Flick,
for one and a-half years. For the three years succeeding he attended school at the University of
Louisburg, Pa., after which he engaged in teaching and attending the State Normal School for one
year. For five years he taught with good success
in his native state, and in 1865 removed to the
west. He opened an academy in Andrew County,
Mo. This institution was known as the Savannah
Academy, and he was Principal of the same for
two years. His success as an educator becoming
known, he was elected to the responsible position
of County Superintendent, which office he filled
acceptably for six years. During the term of his
administration of the office, forty-two new school-houses were built in the county. At the same
time he was Principal of the public schools of Savannah, Andrew County, a position he occupied
for five years. In March, 1873, he accepted the
principalship of the public schools of Marysville,
Marshall County, Kan., serving in that capacity
until June, 1882.
The marriage of Mr. Alexander occurred December 24, 1863, in
Philadelphia, with Miss Hannah E. Kunkel, who was born in Cumberland
County, Pa., March 30, 1842. Her great-grand-father, Leonard Kunkel, was a native of Germany,
who emigrated to America, locating in Lancaster
County, Pa. His son, John Kunkel, was born in
Lebanon County, and he in turn was the father of
Rudolph, who became the father of Mrs. Alexander.
Rudolph Kunkel married Elizabeth Nies,
who was born in Berks County, Pa., being a daughter of James Nies. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel passed
their married lives in Lancaster County, where the
mother died at the age of eighty-five years, March
4, 1893. She was the mother of two children who
lived to mature years, namely: Hannah E. and
Amanda.
To our worthy subject and wife have been born
eight children, the two elder of whom are married,
Mary J. being the wife of John S. Velthoen; and
Bessie, the wife of George W. West. The other
surviving members of the family are: Minnie A.,
Maggie P., Mattie 0. and Winona A. Florence C.
and Hugh P. died in infancy Soon after going
to Andrew County, Mo., Mr. Alexander became
interested in religious work among the colored
people, as there were large numbers in that part of
the state. In spite of much opposition he organized a Sabbath-school,
which he conducted successfully. As a result he was socially ostracized
for a time, but nothing daunted, he persevered in
the good work. Meeting with grand success in
the enterprise, he inaugurated a day school for the
colored people, trying the subscription plan, employing his own teachers and furnishing a considerable share of the means to carry on the school.
As there was open enmity to the plan shown by
man y of the white citizens, he may be said to have
opened the school at the point of the revolver.
Since coming to this county he has been greatly
interested in the work of the Presbyterian Church,
in which he has held the office of Elder. He has
taken his share in Sunday-school work and has
been an active member of the denomination since
he was a young man. While living in Marshall
County, Kan., he organized two churches, one at
Deer Creek and the other at North Marysville. In
other places he has given his valuable services to
the cause, and in this county has re-organized the
churches at Lone Elm and at Sugar Valley.
The farm of Mr. Alexander has within its
boundaries three hundred and eighty acres, on
which he has made many improvements. He has
found time amidst his many branches of work and
the care necessarily bestowed upon the farm to
serve his fellow-citizens in various offices in the
township, and has acceptably filled the office of
Justice of the Peace for many years. There are
few men more highly thought of in this township,
and he is truly worthy of the confidence which is
reposed in him by his friends.
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Anderson Co. KHHP
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