James Minor Alexander

Notes:

Found in: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, p. 417.

DR. JAMES MINOR ALEXANDER
DR. JAMES MINOR ALEXANDER, a leading physician of Abilene, was born in Maury county, Tennessee, September 18, 1867. His father, James Franklin Alexander, is represented elsewhere in this work. In his youth Dr. Alexander remained upon his father's farm and attended the common schools of the home locality, therein mastering the common branches of English learning. After putting aside his text-books he became connected with the drug trade and while thus engaged acquired a good knowledge of chemistry and prescription work. He was thus employed for two years in Hillsboro, Texas, and this led to his desire to become a member of the medical fraternity so that ultimately he matriculated in the Louisville Medical College, at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1889. He then returned to this state for the practice of medicine, opening an office in Victoria, whence he came to Abilene in November, 1889. Here he has since resided, ever seeking for the latest discoveries and modern theories of medicine and surgery. He has at different time pursued post graduate work in the Post Graduate Hospital of New York, and has thus kept in touch with the onward march of his profession. Since locating in Abilene Dr. Alexander has built up a large and lucrative practice and is regarded as an excellent physician and skillful surgeon, having comprehensive knowledge of the principles of medical science which he applies accurately and correctly to the needs of his patients. Recognizing the need of a suitable place where the sick of the western country could receive proper attention he erected in 1904 a sanitarium at the west end of North Fifth street, in Abilene. This is a spacious two-story structure, containing about seventeen rooms and is fitted up with all modern appliances and apparatus, including the X-ray and other electrical equipments. The building is well furnished, lighted throughout with electricity and heated by steam and in fact has every comfort and convenience for its patrons in harmony with the lines of health and sanitation. Dr. Alexander is a member of both the State and Taylor County Medical Associations and his fraternal relations connect him with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and other societies.

On the 19th of November, 1896, Dr. Alexander wedded Miss Madge Quarles, a daughter of William Quarles, and a native of Charleston, Mississippi. They have one son, James Word Alexander.

Found in the Handbook of Texas Online:

ALEXANDER, JAMES MINOR (1867-1954). James Minor Alexander, builder and physician, was born on September 18, 1867, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, to James Franklin and Elizabeth (Minor) (sic) Alexander. He attended the Kentucky School of Medicine and graduated with honors in 1889 from Louisville Medical College. Later he did postgraduate work in New York, at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and in 1913 in hospitals in London, Paris, Rome, Naples, and Berlin. In 1889 he moved to Victoria, Texas, then to Abilene, where he started a practice.

He opened Alexander Sanitarium, a hospital with eighteen beds, on June 1, 1904, in a two-story frame building. In 1918 he converted the structure into a school for nurses and moved his hospital into an adjacent three-story brick building with forty beds. He was joined in his Abilene practice by his brother, Dr. Sydney McLemore Alexander. Jim Alexander was credited with many medical firsts in West Texas, including the first Caesarean operation and the first two complete hysterectomies. He installed Abilene's first X-ray equipment. He closed his sanitarium in 1934 to join the staff of Hendrick Medical Center,where he later became chief of staff. He was a member of the Taylor-Jones County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association,the Southern Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.

In 1925 he constructed the Alexander Building, then the tallest building in Abilene. That same year he established the Alexander Trust Estate, which placed most of his holdings in the names of his children. After his medical career was established, he acquired ranchland in Jones, Stonewall, King, Knox, and Shackelford counties. His ranching operations continued through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was married twice, first to Madge Quarles, then to Anna Lee Burnes. He retired from medical practice in 1949 and died on November 10, 1954. He was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Abilene.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Abilene Reporter-News, November 27, 1950, November 11, 1954, April 8, 1956. Hugh E. Cosby, The History of Abilene (Abilene, Texas, 1955). Katharyn Duff and Betty Kay Seibt, Catclaw Country: An Informal History of Abilene in West Texas (Burnet, Texas: Eakin Press, 1980).
Katharyn Duff


Article about his estate, from The Abilene Reporter News, Wednesday Evening, November 17, 1954, page 11-B

Doctor Wills Big Estate to Grandchildren

Dr. James Minor (Jim) Alexander, pioneer Abilene area physician, willed all of his property---"in excess of $20,000"---to his grandchildren.

This was revealed Wednesday morning when the will was filed in the Taylor County clerk's office.

He died Nov. 10 in Abilene at the age of 87.

Dr. Alexander's son, Minor Alexander, was named as executor. The grandchildren are to share and share alike. The will was signed June 7, 1951, and was witnessed by L. S. Perry and E. T. Brooks.

Named as beneficiaries were the grandchildren, James Randall Alexander and Sydney McLemore Alexander, sons of Syndey McLemore Alexander; grandson Sydney Elmon Niblo, son of Lurline Elizabeth Niblo; grandchildren Martha Jane Alexander, James Minor Alexander, and Frances Marian Alexander, children of Minor Alexander.

An application to probate the will said Dr. Alexander possessed real and personal property of a probable value in excess of $20,000.

The Abilene law firm of Brooks, Fergus and Brooks is handling the matter.

Much of his estate has been divided before his death.



(Research):
Census Information:

1900 US Census
Texas, Taylor County, Abilene Ward 3
Enumerated 4 June 1900
SD 4, ED 150, Sheet 3B
53-56
Alexander, Jim Jr Head W M Sept 1868 31 M3 Tn Tn Tn Physician
Alexander, Madge Wife W F Oct 1876 23 M 3 0/0 Ark Miss Tenn
Alexander, Jim Sr Father W M Oct 1833 66 Wd Tn NC NC Physician
Ward, Jim Uncle W M Sept 1851 69 S Miss Tn Tn Physician
Sharp, Ella Servant B F Mar 1873 27 Wd 2/1 Tx NC NC Servant
Sharp, John Son B M July 1889 10 S Tx Tx Tx At School
55-59
Lawler, James Head W M Feb 1853 47 M 12 Tn NC Tn Real Estate Trade
Lawler, Bethenia Wife W F Dec 1870 29 M 12 2/2 Tn Tn Tn
Lawler, Minor Dtr W F Nov 1888 14 S Tn Tn Tn At School
Lawler, Frank Son W M Nov 1893 6 S Tx Tn Tn

1910 Census
Not located

1920 Census
Texas, Taylor County, Abilene, Justice Precinct 1
Enumerated 27 January 1920 Mrs. Bessie Lee Piguet
SD 17, ED 261 Sheet 15 A
Alexander Sanitarium
Alexander, James M Head M W 51 D Tn Tn Tn Doctor Surgical
Burns, Anna L Nurse F W 25 S Tx Tx Tx Head Nurse Sanitarium
Gilliam, Ora Belle F W 22 S Tx Tn Tn Nurse Sanitarium
Shomber, Ruby J F W 21 S Kansas Ohio Mo Nurse Sanitarium
Marr, Johnie F W 19 S Tx Mo Tx Nurse Sanitarium
Davis, Mamie F W 22 S Tx Ark Tx Nurse Sanitarium
Galiespane, Abbie F W 33 Wd Tx Al Tx Nurse Sanitarium
Cayle, Minnie M F S 17 S Tx Tx Tx Nurse Sanitarium
Ford, Dick M B 24 S Tx Tx Tx Servant Sanitarium
Bennett, Howard M B 25 S Colo Colo Colo Cook Sanitarium
Bennett, Rosey F B 28 M Tx Tx Tx Servant Sanitarium

1930 Census
Texas, Taylor Abilene City
Enumerated April 10, 1930 by Mrs. Gertrude L. Sands
ED 221-10 SD 8 Sheet 12A Stamped 108
602 Victoria
251-293
Alexander, James M Hd O $10,000 M W 61 M 53 Tn Tn Tn Surgeon Hospital
Alexander, Anna L Wife F W 39 M 31 Tx Tx Tx None
Alexander, Lurline Adopted Dtr F W 16 S ??? Tn Tx [Married a NIBLO]
Alexander, Sydney M Son M W 6 S Tx Tn Tx

James married Madge Quarles on 19 Nov 1896 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas. Madge was born in Oct 1876 in Arkansas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. James Word Alexander was born after 1900 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas; and died.

James married Anna Lee Burns about 1922 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas. Anna was born between 1891 and 1895 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sydney McLemore Alexander, II was born on 4 Jul 1923 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas; died on 8 Jun 1996 in Knox County, Texas; was buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Notes:

JAMES FRANKLIN ALEXANDER, now enjoying in well earned case an honorable retirement from labor at his pleasant home in Abilene, was born in Maury county, Tennessee, October 31, 1833. His father, James Minor Alexander, removed from Camden, South Carolina, to Tennessee in the year 1810. His mother was Margaret Carter prior to her marriage into the Alexander family. Having arrived at years of maturity James M. Alexander married a Miss Aiken, also a native of South Carolina, whose father removed to Tennessee about the same time the Alexander family was established there. Mr. and Mrs. James M. Alexander became the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom James Franklin is the only one now living. He was reared on the farm up to the time of his father's death in 1857, after which he went to Spring Hill, Tennessee, and there engaged in the dry goods business with which he was connected for three years. At that time the country was involved in the throes of the Civil war and Mr. Alexander espoused the cause of the south, offering his services in its defense, enlisting on the 21st of May, 1861, as a member of Company F, Third Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, the company being known as Brown's rifles, for the regiment was commanded by Colonel John C. Brown. He was afterward promoted to the rank of general and commanded a division. Dr. Alexander was with his command and brigade up to the time they left Bowling Green, Kentucky, and there he was detached on special duty for service in the pay master's and quartermaster's department. He remained with the army throughout the war and was with General Joe Johnston's command at the time of the surrender at Greenville, North Carolina.After being paroled he returned to Nashville, where he arrived on the 21st of May, 1865, just exactly four years from the time of his enlistment. The next important event in his life was his marriage, which was celebrated on the 28th of September, 1865, at which time Miss Elizabeth McLemore became his wife. She is a native of Maury county, Tennessee, and a daughter of Jefferson McLemore, of a representative family of that section of the country. Unto them have been born three children: James M., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Bethenia J.; and R. Sydney McLemore Alexander [Note: Unable to verify through census records], also a practicing physician at Abilene. The wife and mother departed this life in August, 1891. Following his marriage Mr. Alexander turned his attention to farming near Spring Hill, where he remained until 1890. At that time he sold his farm and removed to Abilene, Texas, where he engaged in the drug business, having purchased the stock of P. H. Carter. This store he conducted for eight years with good success and then sold out to L. H. Bradfield, since which time he has lived retired save for the supervision of his invested interests, for he owns considerable property in this part of the state. He is a member of Abilene lodge, No. 562, B. P. O. E., and is a man of genuine worth, enjoying in high measure the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.

B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 417-418.

From "Confederate Military History" page 481: "J.P. Durden . . . Company A, Forty-fifth regiment Alabama infantry . . . In the fight at Spring Hill, just before the Battle of Franklin, while driving the enemy from their breastworks, his left leg was shattered by a shot, the wound resulting in amputation. He remained at Spring Hill five months, as a prisoner, after the Confederate retreat, and was most kindly cared for at the home of Miss Lizzie M. McLemore and her brother."

(Courtesy of Mark Freeman)

(Research):Census Information

1870 Census
Tennessee, Maury County, 22nd Civil District, Columbia Township
July 1870
Page 55, Stamped 645
356-369
Alexander, Joseph F 36 M W Farmer $4000 $2000 Tenn
Alexander, Eliza M 31 F W Housekeeper Tenn
Alexander, James M 2 M W At Home Tenn
Alexander, Benjamin T 7/12 M W At Home Tenn Born Nov
Peters, Eliza A 9 F W At Home Tenn
Aldridge, Kate 9 F W At Home Tenn
McLemore, Leamul P 25 M W At Home $--- $6000 Tenn

1900 US Census
Texas, Taylor County, Abilene Ward 3
Enumerated 4 June 1900
SD 4, ED 150, Sheet 3B
53-56
Alexander, Jim Jr Head W M Sept 1868 31 M3 Tn Tn Tn Physician
Alexander, Madge Wife W F Oct 1876 23 M 3 0/0 Ark Miss Tenn
Alexander, Jim Sr Father W M Oct 1833 66 Wd Tn NC NC Physician
Ward, Jim Uncle W M Sept 1851 69 S Miss Tn Tn Physician
Sharp, Ella Servant B F Mar 1873 27 Wd 2/1 Tx NC NC Servant
Sharp, John Son B M July 1889 10 S Tx Tx Tx At School

1910 Census
Texas, Taylor County, Abilene Ward 4, District 267
Enumerated 9 May 1910
SD 16, ED 267 Sheet 21B
J.F. Alexander, age 76, born in Tennessee, Widowed
was a roomer in the home of M.A. Langley. His occupation was shown as "Own Income" and his parents were both listed as born in South Carolina.

James married Elizabeth Minor McLemore on 28 Sep 1865 in Maury County, Tennessee. Elizabeth (daughter of Atkins Jefferson McLemore and Bethenia Smith Dabney) was born about 1838 in Williamson County, Tennessee; died on 22 Aug 1891 in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mark Freeman has the following information posted on his website relating to Atkins Jefferson McLemore:

Williamson County Court Records have numerous entries for land and property transactions for A.J. McLemore. Misc. records Williamson county vol.4: 14 Nov 1823 "Atkins J. McLemore sells to William Dabney for the sum of $1000 a tract of land on the waters of West Harpeth . . ." One dated 1 Jan 1847 reads: "Rec'd of A.J. McLemore three hundred and seventy five dollars in full payment for a certain negro girl name Louisa, said negro we warrant sound body and mind, slave for life, and the right and title of said negro we warrant and defend against the lawful claims of all others this 23rd Dec 1846"

Misc records Williamson county vol 5: "Jesse Taylor, planter, charged with cutting Atkins McLemore, blacksmith, across the abdomen with intent to kill" 17 May 1823

From "Tennessee Tidbits 1778 - 1914, Vol. I" page 256 "McLemore - 14 July 1828 a report was made by Atkins J. McLemore as guardian of John D. McLemore, Polly M. McLemore, Robt. W. McLemore, and Peggy S. McLemore, minor orphans. (Wll TN, Co Ct Min, 10/55)" These would be his half brothers and sisters from his father Robert's marriage to Margaret S. Dabney.

From "The Maury Genealogist" by Jill K. Garrett May 1972 page 57 "State vs J.W. Cheairs, merchant, William Beauford, yeoman, Adkins J. McLemore, yeoman, Anderson McLemore, yeoman, Henry P. Pointer, yeoman, Thomas Pointer, yeoman, riot route and unlawful assembly true bill. On 5 June 1845 in Spring Hill they assaulted Robert C. Giddins". Will on file in Williamson County Will Book 9 page 303 dated Aug 1849.

Atkins married Bethenia Smith Dabney on 7 Sep 1821 in Williamson County, Tennessee. Bethenia was born on 25 Apr 1803 in North Carolina; died on 24 Jul 1857 in Thompson Station, Williamson County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jane A. "Xan" Alexander emailed, in November 2011, that Bethenia Dabney was a daughter of John Dabney and Peggy Smith, and sister to the Margaret "Peggy" Dabney who became Atkins stepmother in 1812. Betty Pritchett notes that "Bethenia's father Captain John Dabney was a Revolutionary War soldier."

(Research):

Census Information:

1850 Federal Census
Tennessee, Williamson County, ED 11
9th September 1850 D. Cameron
Stamped 264
331-331
Bethenia S. McLemore 44 F $4000 N. Carolina
Andrew McLemore 27 M Farmer Tennessee
John McLemore 18 M Farmer Tennessee
Syddney McLemore 14 M Student Tennessee
Bethena McLemore 14 F Tennessee
Elizabeth McLemore 12 F Tennessee
Lemuel McLemore 9 M Tennessee
William McLemore 20 M Student

Notes:

Married:
Marriages of Williamson County, Tennessee 1804 - 1850, complied by Edythe Rucker Whitley, page 133:
"McLemore, Atkins J. to Bethenia Dabney, Sept. 7, 1821 BM: J. N. Charten.

(Courtesy of Jane A. "Xan" Alexander)

In the book "Sketch of the Dabneys of Virginia : with some of their family records" (Chicago: S. D. Childs, 1888, 206 pages), it is noted on p. 180, Record No. 120 supplied by Dr. William Wall Dabney, that "Atkins Jefferson McLemore and Bethinia Dabney, ninth child of John Dabney and Margaret Smith (were married)."

(Courtesy of Melba Gene McLemore)

Notes:

Sometimes shown as born in Warrren County versus Bute County.

Kevin McLemore mclemorek@charter.net descends from this line and shared information on Robert's descendants with Mark Freeman in March 2005, some of which is copied below.

1790 NC Census Halifax District, Franklin County lists Robert McLemore, 1 free white male 16 years and up and 4 slaves.

1799 Franklin County Tax List has McLemore, Rob. 2wp, 3bp, 450 ac (this is the parcel he inherited from his father)

1800 NC Census Franklin County lists Robert McLemore 1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 1 female 16-26, 9 slaves.

Franklin Co. NC Loose Estates Papers Vol. I has Robert McLemore buyer part of the estate of Benjamin Williams in 1804.

Equity Bond Docket, 1789-1817, Hillborough District and Orange County, N.C. number 264 lists Robert McLemore place of abode on 19 Apr 1803 as Tennessee.

Williamson County Deed Abstracts 1799-1811 Deed Book A2 page 91 "Page 378 Indenture 18 Oct 1806 John Spencer and Robert McLemore, $2750 paid, 1 tract on water of Harpeth, 220 acres, tr adj N T Perkins corner"

1807 Williamson County Tax Book lists McLemore, Robt. 220 acres W. Harp. 1 white 5 blacks.

"The Reconstructed 1810 Census of Tennessee, 33,000 Long-Lost Records" by Charles A. Sherrill lists:

McLemore, Robert Williamson County, 1810 Tax List

From "Maury County Tennessee Newspaper Abstracts 1810-1844" by Jill Knight Jarrett 1965: The Western Chronicle Sat 28 Mar 1812 "Whiskey - The High Bred Stallion will stand the ensuing season. Signed P.R. Booker. Affadavit of R.P. Curras and Robert McLemore of Williamson County".

Williamson County Deed Book E page 174 Thomas Shute conveyed to Robert McLemore 39 acres of land between Big & West Harpeth Rivers Registered 27th August 1817.

1820 Tennessee Census: Robert McLemore Williamson County: 2 males under 10, 2 males 10 to 16, 2 males 18 to 26, 1 male 45 and up. 1 female under 10, 1 female 10 to 16, 1 female 26 to 45. 24 slaves.

There were a couple challenges to Robert's will. One by his widow and her second husband wanting 1/3 of the estate, another by his son John D. McLemore for 1/4 of the slaves.

Will probated April 1823 Williamson County Will Book 3 page 625.

Williamson County, Tennessee County Court Minutes, May 1806-April 1812, by Carol Wells, Heritage Books, Inc., p. 176: [Book1, p. 577] "Monday 13th January 1812. Order Nicholas Perkins Senr Daniel Perkins Edward Warren & Robert McLemore any three settle with Hendley Stone gdn of Peter Pryor & Green Pryor orphans of John Pryor decd & report thereof to our ensuing County Court." [Book 1, p. 608] "Tuesday 14th April 1812.Settlement with Hendley Stone guardian of Peter & Green Pryor orphans of John Pryor decd returned."

Jane A. "Xan" Alexander emailed, in November 2011, that Robert McLemore wrote his will 14 Apr 1822. In his will and the probate file in Williamson County, Tennessee, we find: "beloved wife Peggy and our four children John Dabney McLemore, Polly Minor McLemore, Robert Weakly McLemore, and Peggy Smith McLemore"; "son Atkins J McLemore", "my daughter Bethenia Anne Greene McLemore" In the will he also says "I desire that my worthy friend Daniel Perkins should be guardian to my daughter Bethenia (who is also his granddaughter)". Thus we see that Atkins Jefferson McLemore and Bethenia Anne Greene McLemore were not children of Robert McLemore's last wife Peggy. Jane added that the current wife at the time of his death was Margaret "Peggy" S Dabney, daughter of John Dabney and Peggy Smith and sister to Bethenia Dabney who later married Atkins Jefferson McLemore.

(Medical):DNA R1b1

A direct male descendant of Robert McLEMORE is an exact 12 marker Y DNA match to descendants of both John McLEMORE, born 1822 in North Carolina and Keton Jones McLEMORE, born 1809 in Kentucky. This means there is an 80% probability that they share a common ancestor within the last 16 generations, and over a 90% probability that this ancestor occurred within 24 generations.

For more information see:

http://www.geneticousins.com/morrison/

Look for Group O. More about John McLemore and Keton Jones McLemore can be found in the index of this file.

The members of R1b are believed to be the descendants of the first modern humans who entered Europe about 35,000-40,000 years ago. Those R1b forebearers were the people who painted the beautiful art in the caves in Spain and France. They were the contemporaries (and perhaps exterminators) of the European Neanderthals. R1b is the most common Y haplogroup in Europe - more than half of men of European descent belong to R1b. Fourteen of the 30 most common haplotypes in the YSTR.org database are typical of R1b.

Robert married Barbara Williams on 16 Jan 1800 in Franklin County, North Carolina. Barbara was born on 2 Jun 1781 in Franklin County, North Carolina; died on 10 Oct 1803 in Davidson County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Betty Pritchett writes that " Her father was John Williams of Davidson County, Tennessee. She had one son before she died. His name was Atkins Jefferson McLemore (1801-1849)"

Notes:

Married:
Abstracts of Vital Records from Raleigh NC Newspapers 1799- 1819, compiled by Lois Smathers Neal, page 325, "M. on the 16th ult., Mr. Robert M'LEMORE to Miss Barbara Williams, both of Franklin County. RR 4 Feb 1800 3:5."

(Courtesy of Jane A. "Xan" Alexander)

Betty Pritchett shows the marriage date as 16 January 1800.