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Below is a family biography included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James K. P. Alexander is one of six children born to Joseph and Flora (Shaw) Alexander, and first saw the light of day in Henry County, Tennessee, in 1843. South Carolina was the birthplace of Joseph Alexander. He was born about 1814 and was of Dutch descent, and an immigrant to Tennessee in 1828. He was married when about twenty years old, and one child was born to the union. Soon after Mrs. Alexander died and in 1887 he married Miss Flora Shaw, who was born in Weakley County, and died in 1852 Mr. Alexander died on his farm in Henry County, in 1858. Our subject’s parents having died when he was quite small, he found parental care and protection with his uncle Simpson Alexander, with whom he remained until he was about eighteen years of age. At the out-breaking of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Tennessee and was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, being wounded severely at the latter place, and unfitted for further service. He served however at intervals until the final surrender, and returned home May 20, 1865, just four years from the day of his enlistment. He began farming, and in 1866 entered the mercantile business at Gleason and continued the same, being also express and freight agent at that place. January 19, 1861, he wedded Sue P., daughter of Dr. G. H. and N. M. Burnett, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living: Ione E., Homer and Carlos B. Mr. Alexander lives on his farm of 280 acres, at Gleason, and is a man of thrift and sterling business qualities. He has made his life a success financially, and being a Democrat he cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. He is a Mason. Mrs. Alexander was born in Tennessee m 1852. Her parents were born in 1838 and 1829, respectively. The father died in 1875, and the mother is residing at Marion, Ill.

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This family biography is one of 108 biographies included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Weakley County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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