William Jasper Alexander was one of 7 children born to Arthur T and Rebecca Matlock (Borden) Alexander. His parents died of illness when he was quite young, but he survived, becoming a farmer by the age of 17.
In 1861, W J enlisted in Company I, 25th Alabama Infantry, Confederate Army, fighting at Farmersville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta. At one point, he was taken prisoner, then later exchanged. He also joined Wheeler's cavalry, where he served until the war's end.
After returning to farming, W J married Sarah Cornelia Smith, daughter of Henry Allen and Keziah (Mattox) Smith of Georgia. They settled in Cleburne County, Alabama, raising three children: William Henry Alexander 1867-1932, "Bessie" Elizabeth Euphemia (Alexander) Harbin 1870-1930, and Mildred E (Alexander) Leyden b. 1890.
Sheriff of Cleburne County for about 6 years, W J also served as state legislator for another 6 years, and was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1884. A biography of him can be found in Thomas McAdory Owen's 1921 History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3.
In 1861, W J enlisted in Company I, 25th Alabama Infantry, Confederate Army, fighting at Farmersville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta. At one point, he was taken prisoner, then later exchanged. He also joined Wheeler's cavalry, where he served until the war's end.
After returning to farming, W J married Sarah Cornelia Smith, daughter of Henry Allen and Keziah (Mattox) Smith of Georgia. They settled in Cleburne County, Alabama, raising three children: William Henry Alexander 1867-1932, "Bessie" Elizabeth Euphemia (Alexander) Harbin 1870-1930, and Mildred E (Alexander) Leyden b. 1890.
Sheriff of Cleburne County for about 6 years, W J also served as state legislator for another 6 years, and was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1884. A biography of him can be found in Thomas McAdory Owen's 1921 History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3.
William Jasper Alexander was one of 7 children born to Arthur T and Rebecca Matlock (Borden) Alexander. His parents died of illness when he was quite young, but he survived, becoming a farmer by the age of 17.
In 1861, W J enlisted in Company I, 25th Alabama Infantry, Confederate Army, fighting at Farmersville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta. At one point, he was taken prisoner, then later exchanged. He also joined Wheeler's cavalry, where he served until the war's end.
After returning to farming, W J married Sarah Cornelia Smith, daughter of Henry Allen and Keziah (Mattox) Smith of Georgia. They settled in Cleburne County, Alabama, raising three children: William Henry Alexander 1867-1932, "Bessie" Elizabeth Euphemia (Alexander) Harbin 1870-1930, and Mildred E (Alexander) Leyden b. 1890.
Sheriff of Cleburne County for about 6 years, W J also served as state legislator for another 6 years, and was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1884. A biography of him can be found in Thomas McAdory Owen's 1921 History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3.
In 1861, W J enlisted in Company I, 25th Alabama Infantry, Confederate Army, fighting at Farmersville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta. At one point, he was taken prisoner, then later exchanged. He also joined Wheeler's cavalry, where he served until the war's end.
After returning to farming, W J married Sarah Cornelia Smith, daughter of Henry Allen and Keziah (Mattox) Smith of Georgia. They settled in Cleburne County, Alabama, raising three children: William Henry Alexander 1867-1932, "Bessie" Elizabeth Euphemia (Alexander) Harbin 1870-1930, and Mildred E (Alexander) Leyden b. 1890.
Sheriff of Cleburne County for about 6 years, W J also served as state legislator for another 6 years, and was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1884. A biography of him can be found in Thomas McAdory Owen's 1921 History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3.
Inscription
William Jasper is buried in an unmarked grave in Carmel Cemetery. However, his service to the state of Alabama and its people, both in war and peacetime, will never be forgotten.
