My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ALEXANDER (deceased) was, in his day, one of the prosperous farmers and business men of Carlisle, where he died in 1865. He was of the third generation of the family in Cumberland county, his grandfather having settled here on his emigration from the north of Ireland, where he was born. He was one of five brothers, four of whom came to America, the other remaining in Ireland to care for the widowed mother. The Alexanders came to this country about the same time as the Eges, who were also from Ireland, but the latter family settled in the mountains, where they engaged in burning charcoal, while the Alexanders devoted their time to tilling the soil.

John Alexander, father of William, was born Aug. 14, 1753, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. On May 8, 1781, he married Jane Byers, who was born April 27, 1758, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom we have the following record: (1) John, born April 21, 1782, became a distinguished attorney of Greensburg, Pa. He married a Miss Smith. (2) James, born May 22, 1783, died unmarried. (3) Thomas, born Oct. 9, 1784, died unmarried. (4) Isabella, born Sept. 2, 1786, married Andrew Carruthers, of Carlisle, who was known as the “honest lawyer.” She died in Carlisle. (5) Rebecca, born May 9, 1788, married Eli Coulter, of Greensburg, Pa., and died there. (6) William is mentioned below. (7.) Samuel, born Sept. 20, 1792, married Ann Susan Blaine, a descendant of Col. Ephraim Blaine, and cousin of James G. Blaine. Samuel Alexander was a noted attorney in Carlisle, was in command of the home militia, and became known as Gen. Alexander. (8) Robert, born Aug. 13, 1794, died the next day. (9) Jane Mary, born Oct. 11, 1795, married Rev. William Anderson, a Presbyterian minister, and died in the West. Their son, John, was also a Presbyterian minister. (10) Margaret Elizabeth, born Dec. 8, 1800, married Joseph Kuhns, an attorney of Greensburg, where she died.

William Alexander was born May 7, 1790, in Dickinson township, on the Spring road, on what is known as the old Byers home farm. He was reared to farming, and received only a limited education, for he was obliged to begin work early, being a mere boy when his father died. Learning the saddler’s trade, he followed same for some years, and after his marriage bought the home in which his daughters now live, at the corner of East and Louther streets, a strongly built house of stone, and gave up his trade to engage in farming with his brother-in-law, George W. Shaffer. They bought land in South Middleton township, which they cultivated, and Mr. Alexander also had a brewery on North East street, which he carried on for a number of years, continuing thus until his death, which occurred at the old home just mentioned in June, 1865. He was a successful business man, and one of the most respected citizens of his day, and a faithful supporter of the Whig and Republican parties in politics.

On Dec. 5, 1803, Mr. Alexander married Mary Aughinbaugh, who preceded him to the grave, her death occurring June 30, 1850, at the old home. Their family consisted of six children, viz: Jane Mary, John B., William G., Samuel, Annie I. and Laura E., all deceased but the two last named, who now occupy the old home. Miss Annie I. Alexander is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle. Both ladies are among the most highly respected residents of that place, sharing the esteem in which all the members of this family have been held.