ALEXANDER, Captain Eli H.

ALEXANDER, WILSON, FLINN, CALDWELL, MACY, GATES, HOUSTON, THOMPSON, PROCTOR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 00:10:53

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volume II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 326-28. Chicago. 1915

CAPTAIN ELI H. ALEXANDER

The demise of Captain Eli H. Alexander, which occurred May 5, 1903, at Leon was the occasion of much sincere grief as he was widely known and highly esteemed. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and of marked public spirit and he had given indisputable proof of his patriotism, having served in both the Mexican and Civil wars. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Indiana, March 11, 1822, and his parents were Reuben and Jean (Wilson) Alexander, both natives of North Carolina. The father died when his son Eli was about six months old, leaving a widow and a large family. The mother kept her children together and succeeded in giving them the limited education afforded by the common schools, the course of study including little more than the three R's. As soon as our subject was old enough he began learning the blacksmith's trade and was soon an excellent workman.

In 1846 he enlisted under Captain Henry Davis in Company F, Second Indiana Infantry, for service in the war with Mexico, remaining at the front until 1847, when he was honorably discharged and returned home. On the 1st of November of that year he was married and in 1855 he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with his family, settling on section 24, High Point township. For some time he devoted a great deal of attention to the cultivation and improvement of the homestead but when his boys grew old enough to assume the responsibility of the operation of the place he turned the farm over to them and opened a blacksmith shop.

In the meantime the southern states had attempted to secede from the Union and the government needed the services of its able-bodied men. In the summer of 1861 Mr. Alexander responded to the president's call for troops, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, of which he was elected captain. He was never known to shrink from the performance of any duty no matter how dangerous it might be and his loyalty and courage made him a leader whom his men were glad to follow. He was offered promotion many times but steadfastly refused it, wishing to remain with the boys who went to the front with him. He was in the midst of much hard fighting and in addition to participating in many noted battles took part in the sieges of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post and Vicksburg. He continued in the service for some time after his health began to fail but at length he was forced to resign and his regimental surgeon told him to "go home to die." However, with the expert nursing of his wife he soon began to improve in health and before many months was able to take up the routine work of the farm.

He continued to reside upon the homestead until 1886 although, as previously stated, he gave much of his time to following the blacksmith's trade, leaving the agricultural work to his sons. In that year he left the farm in charge of one of his sons and with his wife removed to Hastings, Nebraska, where three of his sons were living. However, after residing there for a few years he returned to Leon as he desired to be close to his old friends and he continued to make his home in that city until May 5, 1903, when he passed away. His wife survived him until February 22, 1904.

Captain Alexander married Sallie E. Flinn, a daughter of William and Sarah (Houston) Flinn, and to this union were born nine children. Curtis L., of Hastings, Nebraska, was formerly engaged in the transfer business but is now living retired. He married Miss Harriette Caldwell. Eugene O., of Leon, was united in marriage to Miss Esther Macy. Morris L., who is deceased, married Sylvia Caldwell. Cora is deceased. A sketch of W. A., of Leon, appears elsewhere in this work. Edward H., who is residing in Leon, was formerly in the piano business but is now retired. He married Miss Barbara Caldwell. Lenna Florence is the wife of S. A. Gates, an attorney at Leon, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. She was first married to Dr. D. A. Houston, of Lewisburg, who lived but a few years. Emma E. gave her hand in marriage to Frank Thompson and following his demise became the wife of H. E. Procter, of Huntington Beach, California. Olive is deceased.

Captain Alexander cast his ballot in support of the measures and candidates of the republican party. He was a prominent Mason and was a conscientious Christian, who believed that Christianity consisted in the observance of the golden rule rather than in loud protestations of piety. In all relations of life his conduct measured up to high standards and his influence was always exerted for the moral advancement of his community and the triumph of righteousness and justice. He was one of the early settlers of Decatur county and manifested the hardihood and courage of the pioneer, serving his country as well in times of peace as he did in times of war.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014

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1887 Biographical Record
Transcription by Sara LeFleur

Eli H. Alexander born 1822

ELI H. ALEXANDER, retired farmer, resides on section 24, High Point Township, where he owns 390 acres of land. He was born in Jackson County, Indiana, March 11th, 1822. His father, REUBEN ALEXANDER, died in August, 1822, aged forty-nine years, when his son was six months old. His mother, JANE (WILSON) ALEXANDER, died in 1864, aged eighty-eight years. His parents were natives of Carolina. They were the parents of thirteen children, ELI H. being the youngest. He was reared to the trade of a blacksmith. He enlisted in the war with Mexico in 1846, under CAPTAIN HENRY DAVIS, Company F, Second Indiana Infantry. He was at the battle of Buena Vista. He was married in Lawrence County, Indiana, November 1st, 1847, to SALLIE E. FINN, daughter of WILLIAM and SARAH (HOUSTON) FINN, natives of Indiana. SALLIE E. was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, December 14th, 1826. They were the parents of nine children – CURTIS L. married HARRIETTE CALDWELL, and to this union were born two children – HARL M. and MAUD, now deceased. EUGENE O., married ESTER MACY, and to them were born four children – OLIVE E., deceased; ROLLIE A., HOWARD O. and JAMES BLAINE. MORRIS L. married SILVA A. CALDWELL, now deceased, and had three sons – CLAUD M., LLOYD S., and LINTON, deceased. CORA B. is deceased. WILLIAM A,. of Leon, Iowa, married BARBARA CALDWELL. LENNA F. is the widow of DANIEL A. HUSTON, M. D., of Lewisburg, Iowa. EMMA E., is at home; OLIVE E. is deceased. CURTIS L., EUGENE O., MORRIS L. and EDWARD H., live in Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. ALEXANDER immigrated to Decatur County, Iowa, in 1855. He has held the office of township trustee and most of the school and township offices. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He enlisted in 1861 in Company A, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and was elected Captain. He was in the siege of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, and Vicksburg. When he commenced life for himself he was $30 in debt. After coming to Iowa he was obligated to live in a log cabin of the rudest style, hanging quilts for doors, and hung a wagon sheet in the loft to keep out snow. He often went a distance of sixty miles to mill, and often had to stay three days for his grist. His opportunities for education were very limited. Few men have worked harder or suffered greater trials and inconveniences then has Mr. ALEXANDER. He now owns a fine farm and is a man very highly esteemed. Post Office, High Point.