Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee 1887
Biographies of Weakley County
| Biographies – A |
| James K. P. ALEXANDER is one of six children born to Joseph and Flora (Shaw) Alexander, and first saw the light of day in Henry County, Tennessee, in 1843. South Carolina was the birthplace of Joseph Alexander. He was born about 1814 and was of Dutch descent, and an immigrant to Tennessee in 1828. He was married when about twenty years old, and one child was born to the union. Soon after Mrs. Alexander died, and in 1837 he married Miss Flora Shaw, who was born in Weakley County, and died in 1852. Mr. Alexander died on his farm in Henry County, in 1858. Our subject’s parents having died when he was quite small, he found parental care and protection with his uncle, Simpson Alexander, with whom he remained until he was about eighteen years of age. At the out-breaking of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Tennessee, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, being wounded severely at the latter place, and unfitted for further service. He served however at intervals until the final surrender, and returned home May 20, 1865, just four years from he day of his enlistment. He began farming, and in 1866 entered the mercantile business at Gleason and continued the same, being also express and freight agent at that place. January 19,1861, he wedded Sue F., daughter of Dr. G. H. and N. M. Burnett, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living: Ione B., Homer and Carlos B. Mr. Alexander lives on his farm of 280 acres, at Gleason, and is a man of thrift and sterling business, qualities. He has made his life a success financially, and being a Democrat he cast Whig first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. He is a Mason. Mrs. Alexander was born in Tennessee in 1852. Her parents were born in l828 and 1829, respectively. The father died in 1876, and the mother is residing at Marion, IL. Columbus P. ALLEN, M. D., is a son of Robert and Sarah (Cobb) Allen, who were the parents of twelve children and were born in South Carolina in 1793 and 1800, and died in 1837 and 1838, respectively. The father served as captain in the war of 1812, and his uniform and sword are still in the possession of his descendants. He was a gunsmith by trade and after living in Georgia for some time moved to Alabama, where his death occurred. Having been left an orphan at an early day, our subject, who was born in Georgia, in July, 1834, made his home with an elder brother, with whom he remained until he was about fifteen years of age. He worked for about three years on a farm, and in the meantime secured a good common school education, which he finished at La Fayette, Ala. Having a predilection for the medical profession he, in 1853, began studying with his brother, R. C., with whom he remained until 1856, and then began studying medicine in the Nashville University, remaining one year. He then returned to Alabama, locating in Randolph County, where he remained one year and moved to Mississippi. In 1874 he located in Hardin County, Tenn., but in 1885 came to Sharon, where he successfully practices his profession and deals in drugs. In 1862 he offered his services to the Confederacy and served in a Mississippi cavalry regiment in the capacity of surgeon. At the close of the war he returned home. He has been a life-long Democrat and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In 1859 he married Sarah A. Wroten, daughter of Elisha Wroten, of Mississippi. Of their eleven children, eight are living: Dr. William R., Amanda J. (Mrs. W. T. Moore), Dr. John P., Anna, Jane P., Charles A., Lou A. and George A. Dr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. |
