Fine, Alexander E. – d. 1919

FINE, HENDERSON, JOHNSON, MAYES, MILLER, MOORE, NICHOLS, WALDON, WALDRON, WATSON

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/25/2015 at 14:28:51

Alex Fine Passes Away
Aged Negro, Once a Slave, Dies at 78 Years – Came Here Before War with Seven Other Runaway Slaves.
Alexander E. Fine, one of the best known negroes of the city died last evening at 9:30 o’clock at his home, 721 North 7th Street East. He has been poor health for the last two years – having been confined to his bed since October 1918. The deceased came to Newton in 1862 at the outbreak of the Civil war. He and several other negroes, Lou Mayes, Walker Waldon, Alex Nichols, Tom Watson, Clem and John Miller and Will Moore all came here from Savannah, Missouri – being runaway slaves. All have passed away but John Miller who resides in Des Moines. Every one of them enlisted in the Union army and did good service for their country.
The deceased was born in Andrew county, Mo., 78 years ago, and lived there as slave property of Clinton Howell until he escaped to Iowa. At the time Alex ran away he was overseer for several other slaves on the Howell farms. After the war he returned to his old home in Missouri and was married Mrs. Sylvia Johnson. They came to Newton and have made their home here ever since.
The deceased leaves a sorrowing wife and three children – Will E. Fine of Waterloo, Mrs. Lulu Henderson of Newton and Kenneth Fine of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There is also a step-son Eddie Johnson of New Haven, Conn., and four grandchildren to survive.
Mr. Fine, although not a member of the local A.M.E. church was always a regular attendant and hearty supporter of the church. He had a reputation of being an honorable man and he had many friends and acquaintances throughout the city who will be sorry to learn of his death.
The funeral will be held at the A.M.E. church Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock – Rev. J. D. Peterson officiating. Burial will be made in the local cemetery.
(Additional information: Buried at Newton Union Cemetery; son of Jonathan & Rachel (Waldron) Fine - Civil War veteran Co. C 60th US cavalry)
Source: Newton Daily News; December 4, 1919, page 1, col. 6