BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 566.

MRS. MARY A. (MERRITT) ALEXANDER was born in 1833, in Pultney
township, in Belmont county, near Bellaire; was the daughter of Robert
and Eveline (Milligan) Merritt, who were both natives of Virginia.
Robert being the son of William and Mary (Long) Merritt, of that
state. Eveline being the daughter of Hugh and Ruth (Brown) Milligan,
of Virginia, but descendents of old Ireland. Mrs. Alexander's early
life was spent at the home of her father, on the farm, until her
marriage, in attending the district schools and acquiring useful
knowledge of housework. Was married in 1854 to Samuel Alexander,
a native of this county and state. Immediately after her marriage,
in 1854, she, with her husband, removed to a farm, near her present
residence, where they resided for some seven years, when they re-
moved to the farm where the widow still resides and where the
remaining days of Mr. Alexander were spent in farming. They are
the parents of nine children, eight of whom are still living: Ida J.
McKelvey, Eva B. Wythers, Robert L., Annie E. Kratz, Sarah A. Nichol,
James A., Wilber M., Lula D. (deceased), Andrew B. But two of the
children are unmarried, the two younger sons, one of whom still remains
on the farm with his mother. Mrs. Alexander is a member and strong
supporter of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Samuel Alexander was born,
February 18, 1827, in this county and state, where he was raised and
where he died. He was the son of Robert and Jane (Dixon) Alexander,
descendants of Scotland and Ireland respectively. His early life was
spent on the farm with his father, and in acquiring an education from
the common schools. Until his marriage, he remained at home, when he
went to an adjoining farm, where he remained until the death of his
father in 1862, when he removed to the farm now occupied by his widow,
and where he remained until the time of his death in August, 1882.
Was identified with an educational movement, and road matters. Was an
elder in the Coalbrook Presbyterian church, and was always prominently
identified as a strong worker and supporter of that organization.
When he died in 1882, he left behind him a host of warm personal
friends and admirers, who with the members of the family who survive
him, sincerely mourn his decease.