My Genealogy Hound

J. S. ALEXANDER, proprietor of livery and feed stable, of Fayetteville, began business in 1876, and although his success was on a very small scale at first, he is at present the owner of eight vehicles and twelve horses, and is constantly increasing his stock. He was born in Lincoln County in 1838, son of Wiley M. and Nancy (Renegar) Alexander, born, respectively, in Tennessee and North Carolina in 1816. The father was an early settler of Lincoln County, and was a stock speculator and a man of exceptional business capacity. He was married in 1835, and died in 1881. He was tax collector and sheriff of the county several years. Of his eight children, four are living: W. S., J. S. (our subject), W. W. and Philomena (Mrs. A. J. Crisman). Our subject was educated in Mulberry, Tenn., and at the age of sixteen began clerking in a dry goods store, and two years later went to Shelbyville, where he was engaged in the grocery business for two years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, First Tennessee Regiment, and fought in the battle of Manasses. Gettysburg, Sharpsburg, Cedar Run, Seven Pines, Richmond, Chancellorsville, Harper’s Ferry, Fredericksburg and Petersburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, and was taken to Washington, D. C., the day Lee surrendered. In 1865 he returned, after an absence of four years. December 22, 1868, he wedded Florinda H. Smith, daughter of Champion E. Smith. Mrs. Alexander was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., May 18, 1845, and is the mother of four children: George R., Claud, Frank and an infant son. He farmed four years after the war, and in 1873 came to Fayetteville, and established a retail liquor store, but ten years later engaged in his present occupation. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860.