James Minor Alexander

1867 - 1954  (87 years)

• Name	James Minor Alexander  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	18 Sep 1867	Maury County, Tennessee   [2, 3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  Death	10 Nov 1954	Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
  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
  Person ID	I26474	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	18 Sep 2014

  
  

  Father	James Franklin Alexander,   b. 31 Oct 1833, Maury County, Tennessee d. Aft 1910, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth Minor McLemore,   b. Abt 1838, Williamson County, Tennessee d. 22 Aug 1891, Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas (Age ~ 53 years)
  Marriage	28 Sep 1865	Maury County, Tennessee   [1, 6]
  Family ID	F8500	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Madge Quarles,   b. Oct 1876, Arkansas d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	19 Nov 1896	Abilene, Taylor County, Texas   [4]
  Children	1. James Word Alexander,   b. Aft 1900, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F8752	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	10 Sep 2008

  
  

  Family 2	Anna Lee Burns,   b. Between 1891 and 1895, Texas d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	Abt 1922	Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
  Children	1. Sydney McLemore Alexander, II,   b. 4 Jul 1923, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas d. 8 Jun 1996, Knox County, Texas (Age 72 years)
  Family ID	F8753	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2006

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 18 Sep 1867 - Maury County, Tennessee Marriage - 19 Nov 1896 - Abilene, Taylor County, Texas Marriage - Abt 1922 - Abilene, Taylor County, Texas Death - 10 Nov 1954 - Abilene, Taylor County, Texas  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Sources

  [S671] Paddock, B.B. "History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas" (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906),, Vol. II, pp. 417-418 (Reliability: 3). [S207] 1870 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003., (United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnesota Census Schedules for 1870. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T132, RG29, 13 rolls. This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1870 United States Federal Census, the Ninth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, age at last birthday, sex, color; birthplace, occupation, and more. No relationships were shown between members of a household. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1870 Federal Census.), Tennessee, Maury County, 22nd Civil District, Columbia Town ship (Reliability: 3). [S384] 1900 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004, (Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls. This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census, the Twelfth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, relationship to the head of household, color or race, sex, month and year of birth, age at last birthday, marital status, number of years married, the total number of children born of the mother, the number of those children living, birthplace, birthplace of father and mother, if the individual was foreign born, the year of immigration and the number of years in the United States, the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals over age twenty-one, occupation, and more. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1900 Federal Census.), Texas, Taylor County, Abilene Ward 3 (Reliability: 3). [S671] Paddock, B.B. "History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas" (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906),, Vol. II, p. 417. (Reliability: 3). [S673] Handbook of Texas Online; http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/. [S321] Freeman, Mark (mwfgenealogy@verizon.net) "Mostly Southern" http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=markfreeman ; Ver. 2008-09-19 17:51:13.