U.S. Congressman. He was raised in Paris, Missouri, and apprenticed as a blacksmith. In 1849, he joined the California gold rush before attending the University of Virginia from 1856 to 1857. Alexander subsequently studied law, attained admission to the bar, and practiced in Paris. A Democrat, at the start of the Civil War, he supported the Confederacy, but he took the Union loyalty oath in 1862. He was the leader of his party in Monroe County and served as a Delegate to numerous conventions. Alexander held local offices, including Town Attorney, and was the Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe County from 1872 to 1876. A longtime member of the Odd Fellows, in 1873, he was elected head of the Missouri lodge. In 1875, he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention. Alexander was a Board of Regents member for the First District Normal School (now Truman State University) from 1875 to 1882. In 1882, he was a successful U.S. House candidate, and he served one term from 1883 to 1885. Alexander resumed practicing law, and in 1889, he was appointed to the committee that advocated for a St. Louis World's Fair, which culminated in the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
U.S. Congressman. He was raised in Paris, Missouri, and apprenticed as a blacksmith. In 1849, he joined the California gold rush before attending the University of Virginia from 1856 to 1857. Alexander subsequently studied law, attained admission to the bar, and practiced in Paris. A Democrat, at the start of the Civil War, he supported the Confederacy, but he took the Union loyalty oath in 1862. He was the leader of his party in Monroe County and served as a Delegate to numerous conventions. Alexander held local offices, including Town Attorney, and was the Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe County from 1872 to 1876. A longtime member of the Odd Fellows, in 1873, he was elected head of the Missouri lodge. In 1875, he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention. Alexander was a Board of Regents member for the First District Normal School (now Truman State University) from 1875 to 1882. In 1882, he was a successful U.S. House candidate, and he served one term from 1883 to 1885. Alexander resumed practicing law, and in 1889, he was appointed to the committee that advocated for a St. Louis World's Fair, which culminated in the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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