Info from wvgw.net

From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY," Vol. I, page 668. Brant & Fuller, 1890.

JUDGE WILLIAM ALEXANDER

Judge William Alexander, born in Ohio county, W.Va., died at Moundsville, May 6, 1882, was in his lifetime one of the most distinguished citizens of Marshall county. He was the son of Rev. Joseph and Margaret (Davis) Alexander, the former of Scotch-Irish lineage. The parents were married in Ireland, and immigrating with one child, settled on Short creek. The father, who was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, organized at Barnesville the first Sunday-school in Belmont county, and preached in the Fourth Street church in Wheeling when but sixteen members belonged. He died on the flats of Grave creek, May 29, 1870, in his ninetieth year, and his wife, who was born in 1781, died September 24, 1852. They had seven children: Elizabeth, William, Mary, Margaret, James, Joseph T. and Jane, wife of Col. J. H. Lockwood. The second wife of Joseph Alexander was Sarah List Nichols, of Wheeling. William Alexander was reared on a farm, and was educated in subscription schools solely, except one term in Franklin college. In August, 1835, he was made sheriff of Marshall county, and retained that position seventeen years. In the meantime he was a merchant at Moundsville from 1837 to 1842, then returning to the farm. In October, 1844, he was married to Ellen C., daughter of Nathaniel Tomlinson, an estimable lady who survives him. In 1852, at the time of the change in the constitution of the state, he was appointed aide to Gov. Pierpont and he held that place until 1863, when he was appointed aide to Gov. Boreman, colonel of cavalry and held that place until the close of the war. He was elected to the legislature for two terms during the years 1864 and 1865, and in 1876 was elected president justice of the county. He took an active part in politics as a republican, and was earnest in the work of the Methodist church, of which his widow has been a devoted member since 1851. The grounds used as a camp ground were purchased of the judge, who was interested in that project.