Maj. Samuel J. ALEXANDER, an influential farmer and merchant of Macon, Fayette Co., Tenn., was born in Henderson County December 1, 1833, and is the son of John M. and Cynthia (Williamson) ALEXANDER, both natives of Mecklenburg County, N.C.  The father was of Scotish-Irish descent, the mother was of German.  The father was born December 16, 18180, and died at our subject’s home May 10, 1877.  The mother was born December 20, 1815 and died June 26, 1856.  They married in North Carolina May 5, 1831.  In early life they moved to Henderson County, Tenn., but not being satisfied there, they moved to Fayette County two years later, and settled eleven miles west of Somerville, where the father engaged in farming; he was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church up to the time his wife died, when for convenience he joined the Methodist Church.  Our subject was the oldest of six children.  He was educated at Macon Masonic College, and after leaving college was salesman for the firm of Dougan & White, at Macon, for two years, then bought Mr. WHITE’s interest, and from then until now has continued the business, excepting the years he was in the war.  Mr. ALEXANDER began life without means, but by his energy and business tact has acquired a comfortable estate, owning in addition to a half interest in the $4,000 stock of foods, over 4,000 acres of land in Fayette County and $2,000 worth of stock in the Vanderbilt Insurance Company of Memphis, and $550 in the Memphis & Charleston Railroad Company.  Mr. ALEXANDER has recently erected an elegant residence in Macon; it is the best finished house in the county.  October 20, 1858, he married Miss Mollie W. TOWLES, who was born in Virginia, June 12, 1841.  They have no children except an adopted daughter, who is a granddaughter of the Rev. T.L. BOSWELL, D.D., of the Memphis Conference.  In the summer of 1862 he went into the Confederate Army as private, but was soon promoted to the major and commissary of subsistence, and served in this capacity until the war closed.  He is a sound Democrat, and a very prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and contributes very liberally to its support.  Mrs. ALEXANDER is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is a woman of deep piety.  Mr. ALEXANDER is regarded as one of the most useful citizens of Fayette County. 

Source:  Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee, 1887.