A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 1011-1013
Francis M. Alexander, of Franklin Township, Hendricks County, Ind., descends from an old colonial Virginia family. Hugh Alexander, grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia, married Annie Dewe, and by her became the father of five children: Sarah, Peggie, Jane, William and Northcott. Mr. Alexander moved to Tennessee, and later to Ohio, close to Cincinnati, and finally to Indiana in 1837, settling in Morgan County, where he bought land and cleared up a good farm in the bottoms of Eel River. He resided there until his death, having reached the great age of nearly ninety years. He was a typical American pioneer and an honest man. William Alexander, son of above, and father of our subject, was born in Virginia, in 1804, and went with his father to Tennessee when a boy. He received a good education and became well read in history. He married, near Knoxville, Tenn., Jane Wallace, and thirteen children were born to this union: Sarah J., Elizabeth, Charlotta, Nancy, John, Francis, Hugh, Ann, Francis M., Enoch, Thomas, James and Joseph. Mr. Alexander moved to Ohio, settling near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River. He then moved to what is now Putnam County, Ind., in the fall of 1837, bought land and also entered some, and cleared up a good farm, adding to it by thrift and industry until he owned 186 acres. He moved to Hendricks County in 1876 and ran a country store until his death, which occurred in Franklin Township. Mr. Alexander and wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which he held the office of steward, but afterward became a member of the Christian Church. He was much respected for his judgment and intelligence and was justice of the peace for forty years, being in politics a Democrat. He had five sons in the Civil War: Hugh, Francis M., Enoch, Thomas and James, who served in Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry. Thomas served over four years and was a veteran; Enoch, veteranized and killed in a skirmish in Alabama on the Hatchie River. Mr. Alexander was a highly respected citizen, honorable and patriotic, and a strong Union man.
Francis M. Alexander was born March 7, 1838, on his father's farm in Putnam County, then a part of Morgan County, Ind. He received a limited education, became a farmer and married September 2, 1860, Sophia, daughter of David Hubble of Texas County, Mo., and to them were born three children: Sarah J., Nannie and Thomas E. After marriage Mr. Alexander located on the home farm, until his enlistment, in July, 1862, in Putnam County, with enrollment at Indianapolis, in Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He served nearly eight months and was honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., on account of disability, caused by typhoid fever. He was at the battle of Corinth, Miss. When Mr. Alexander entered the army he was a strong, rugged young man, able to do his full duty as a soldier; upon his return he weighed but eighty-six pounds, and for a long time could do no work, his ailment resulting in epilepsy. He finally recovered partially and bought out the heirs of the homestead, and by industry and good management has acquired a good farm of 156 acres. He moved to Illinois in 1867, lived in that state two years, then went to Cass County, Mo., in 1869, and lived there until 1871, when he returned home. In political opinions Mr. Alexander was a Democrat, but of late years has been a Prohibitionist, as he is strong lover of temperance. He is a man who holds the respect of the people and was assessor of his township, Mill Creek, Putnam County, for six years, and was township trustee four years. Mr. Alexander moved to Stilesville in 1890, and is retired from actual business, being disabled by his service to his country. Mrs. Alexander died November 26, 1864, and he married, May 27, 1886, Martha H. Leonard, nee Gorham, daughter of Thomas and Cassandra (Hopkins) Gorham. Mrs. Alexander had previously been married to George W. Hurst, by whom she had one son, Vermandes C., now a farmer in Putnam County; and for her second husband, Jackson Leonard, by whom she had one child, Chattie E., (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the Christian Church. He has always been straightforward as an officer of his township and as a citizen.
Thomas B. Alexander, son of William, was born February 27, 1842, in Putnam County. He enlisted at Gosport, Ind., and was enrolled January 1, 1862, in Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years or during the war. He re-enlisted as a veteran, January 1, 1864, at Huntsville, Ala., and was honorably discharged July 17, 1865, having served three years, six months and seventeen days. He was in all the battles, skirmishes and marches in which his regiment took part; was in the Atlanta campaign, on Sherman's march to the sea; on the return march to Washington, and at the grand review. He was in the battles of New Madrid, Tiptonville, Tenn., the first and second battles of Corinth, Miss., Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, in many and severe skirmishes, and at Savannah, Ga., and was promoted corporal. He was never sick in hospital, and was an active, efficient and brave soldier. After the war, he returned to Indiana and married Mary, daughter of Reuben and Mildred (Ludlow) Stringer, and to them were born three children: Jesse, Nata and Fred. He is a respected and upright citizen and in politics is a Democrat.