My Genealogy Hound

ALEXANDER LOCHHEAD derives both pleasure and profit from the management of his estate, which is located on section 18, township 7, range 6, Randolph County. It bears a full line of improvements, and in addition to the business of a general farmer, Mr. Lochhead in 1891 began in the dairy business, and he now has a paying route in the city of Chester. He is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, the date of his birth being November 27, 1839.

The father of our subject, who also bears the name of Alexander, was reared to manhood in his native land, Scotland, where he was an engineer. The lady to whom he was married, and who became the mother of our subject, was Miss Christina Flemming, also born in Glasgow, Scotland. In the year 1840 the parents set sail for America, when our subject was only a few months old, and on arriving in the New World, they made their way directly to this county and located on a farm five miles from Chester.

For a number of years after coming here the father of our subject lived on rented land, and continued to follow the occupation of a farmer until 1846, when his decease occurred. The mother of our subject was later married, her husband being Amos Taggert, and she departed this life in 1875. Alexander of this sketch is a man of limited education, but sound common sense and accurate judgment, and in the pursuit of his occupation of farming has become the owner of valuable property. When a lad of fifteen years he went to Chester and began clerking in the grocery store of George Rust, with whom he remained for four years, and then returning to farm life, has since devoted his time to cultivating the soil. He is engaged in general agriculture and reaps annually an abundant harvest from his place, which thus makes excellent returns for the time and labor which he has invested.

October 5, 1858, Alexander Lochhead was married to Eliza E., daughter of Isaac and Annis (Cochrane) Rust, natives of Maine. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Melvin, who married Carolina Heitkamp, and is a prosperous farmer near Chester; Albert R., who married Elizabeth Conn, and is also engaged in farming pursuits in this county; James; Christina, Gilbert and Grace, who are at home. Our subject and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Church, and are classed among the substantial citizens of their township. Mr. Lochhead has always voted with the Republican party, has been Road Commissioner and School Director of his town, and with excellent judgment and keen perception has materially aided in the upward progress of the public schools.