Alexander McGlothlin was born in Sumner County October 15, 1808, the youngest child of Joseph McGlothlin, Sr. Alexander's mother died when he was young and when he was about six years old Joseph married Mrs. Polly (Taylor) West. Joseph was born in Ireland about 1760 and died in Sumner County the early part of May, 1839.

Alexander married Mary Durham, daughter of John and Ann (Senter) Durham February 22, 1831 in Sumner. His brother William McGlothlin signed the marriage bond. Mary was born in Kentucky February 2, 1809.

In 1833, Alexander and Mary migrated to Washburn Prairie in what is now Barry County, Missouri. They were living there on their farm of 300 acres when the county was formed in 1835. Alexander was influential in public affairs and at one time represented Barry County in the state legislature.

Alexander and Mary had ten children, seven survived:

1. Amanda Nancy Louisa McGlothlin, born in Sumner Co. July 24, 1833. Nancy was married twice and had five children. She married #1 Wlliam Burks August 16, 1855, Barry Co. MO. She married #2 Elam M. Sprott September 18, 1867, Bell Co. TX. She died between the 1900 & 1910 census in Bell Co. TX.

2. Melvina A. McGlothlin, born January 17, 1835 Barry Co. MO. Melvina married her first cousin Joseph Taylor McGlothlin, son of William and Nancy (Skeen) McGlothlin. Taylor and Melvina had twelve children.

3. Jonathon Joseph McGlothlin , born March 24, 1839 Barry Co. Joe was married twice and had six children. Wife #1 Louisa Emaline (maiden name unknown) married February 6, 1862 Barry Co. MO. Wife #2 Mrs. Melissa Catherine (Hodges) Pace, married November 30, 1871, Bell Co. TX.

4. James A. McGlothlin, born January, 1842 Barry Co. James was married twice and had seven sons. James married #1 Nancy Glen Moore November 4, 1858, Barry Co. MO. Wife #2 was Mrs. Francis (Porterfield) Edwards married August 25, 1890, Pushmataha Co., Indian Territory.

5. Elizabeth Savira McGlothlin, born March 1844 Barry Co. Lizzie was married three times and was the mother of four children. Elizabeth married #1 Sevier Frost April 18, 1859, Barry Co. MO. Elizabeth married #2 Peter Sanders ca 1865 "somewhere in the south." Elizabeth married #3 Charles Wilson Munn November 9, 1876 Jasper Co. MO.

6. Mary Frances McGlothlin, born August 26, 1846 Barry Co. Fannie and her husband were parents of six children. Mary Francis married James M. Butts 1861.

7. America Jane McGlothlin, born July 15, 1848 Barry Co. Ten children were born to Jane and her husband. America Jane married Hiram David Cave October 14, 1865 Bell Co. TX.

Both Alexander and Mary (Durham) McGlothlin died in December, 1857. They were buried on the McGlothlin farm at Washburn Prairie in Barry County, Missouri.