"William J. Alexander, whose operations in real estate have been most advantageous, constituting the source of his splendid success, belongs to that class of men to whom difficulties and obstacles serve but as an impetus to renewed and persistent effort. His sterling qualities of perseverance, determination and energy have formed the foundation upon which he has built his prosperity and the methods he has pursued in business have gained for him the honor and respect of his fellowmen. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 11th of February, 1833, and is a son of James and Letitia (Marshal) Alexander, both of whom died on the Emerald isle—their native land.
The youthful days of their son William were there passed and in the common schools he acquired a limited education. Reading, observation and experience have since greatly broadened his knowledge, making him a well informed man. About the time he attained his majority the call of the new world seemed to him irresistible and in 1854 or 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. From the eastern coast he gradually made his way westward to Peoria county, Illinois, where he remained for about six months, at the end of which time he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he had an uncle living. Entering the employ of this uncle, Mr. Alexander worked for him for several years, acquainting himself with the essential features of success in the work of farming and raising cattle. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mason county, this investment being made about 1865 or 1866. A few years later he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Logan county, west of Lincoln, and from time to time he further added to his holdings. While living in Mason county he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Cathcart, secured a large tract of land on a five years' lease, made many excellent improvements thereon and developed and farmed the place. They also released portions of the tract to others and thus prospered.
In 1872 William J. Alexander purchased a section and a half of land on the Broadland tract in Champaign county, removing to that place in 1873. He there resided until 1905, during which period he purchased four hundred and eighty acres additional. All of this property he still owns with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his holdings in Illinois land comprise more than twelve hundred acres. In 1896 he went to Iowa and purchased over a section of land in Page and Fremont counties, all of which he has since sold. About 1902 he went to the Alberta country of Canada where he purchased eighteen sections of land, all of which he has since disposed of to advantage. For years he has engaged extensively in feeding cattle and this branch of his business is likewise proving profitable. In addition to his other interests he owns over two sections of land in Marion county, Ohio, and his farm property now aggregates about twenty-four hundred acres in Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. He has been very successful as a cattle feeder and land speculator, his judgment in business matters being at all times sound and reliable and his discrimination keen.
In 1905 Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Hattie Kyle of Ontario, Canada, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in Sidell and throughout Vermilion county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Christian church. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he in numbered among the substantial citizens of this county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of this section of the state and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section or advance its wonderful development." (History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume II by Lottie E. Jones, 1911, Page 479)
The youthful days of their son William were there passed and in the common schools he acquired a limited education. Reading, observation and experience have since greatly broadened his knowledge, making him a well informed man. About the time he attained his majority the call of the new world seemed to him irresistible and in 1854 or 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. From the eastern coast he gradually made his way westward to Peoria county, Illinois, where he remained for about six months, at the end of which time he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he had an uncle living. Entering the employ of this uncle, Mr. Alexander worked for him for several years, acquainting himself with the essential features of success in the work of farming and raising cattle. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mason county, this investment being made about 1865 or 1866. A few years later he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Logan county, west of Lincoln, and from time to time he further added to his holdings. While living in Mason county he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Cathcart, secured a large tract of land on a five years' lease, made many excellent improvements thereon and developed and farmed the place. They also released portions of the tract to others and thus prospered.
In 1872 William J. Alexander purchased a section and a half of land on the Broadland tract in Champaign county, removing to that place in 1873. He there resided until 1905, during which period he purchased four hundred and eighty acres additional. All of this property he still owns with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his holdings in Illinois land comprise more than twelve hundred acres. In 1896 he went to Iowa and purchased over a section of land in Page and Fremont counties, all of which he has since sold. About 1902 he went to the Alberta country of Canada where he purchased eighteen sections of land, all of which he has since disposed of to advantage. For years he has engaged extensively in feeding cattle and this branch of his business is likewise proving profitable. In addition to his other interests he owns over two sections of land in Marion county, Ohio, and his farm property now aggregates about twenty-four hundred acres in Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. He has been very successful as a cattle feeder and land speculator, his judgment in business matters being at all times sound and reliable and his discrimination keen.
In 1905 Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Hattie Kyle of Ontario, Canada, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in Sidell and throughout Vermilion county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Christian church. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he in numbered among the substantial citizens of this county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of this section of the state and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section or advance its wonderful development." (History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume II by Lottie E. Jones, 1911, Page 479)
"William J. Alexander, whose operations in real estate have been most advantageous, constituting the source of his splendid success, belongs to that class of men to whom difficulties and obstacles serve but as an impetus to renewed and persistent effort. His sterling qualities of perseverance, determination and energy have formed the foundation upon which he has built his prosperity and the methods he has pursued in business have gained for him the honor and respect of his fellowmen. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 11th of February, 1833, and is a son of James and Letitia (Marshal) Alexander, both of whom died on the Emerald isle—their native land.
The youthful days of their son William were there passed and in the common schools he acquired a limited education. Reading, observation and experience have since greatly broadened his knowledge, making him a well informed man. About the time he attained his majority the call of the new world seemed to him irresistible and in 1854 or 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. From the eastern coast he gradually made his way westward to Peoria county, Illinois, where he remained for about six months, at the end of which time he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he had an uncle living. Entering the employ of this uncle, Mr. Alexander worked for him for several years, acquainting himself with the essential features of success in the work of farming and raising cattle. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mason county, this investment being made about 1865 or 1866. A few years later he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Logan county, west of Lincoln, and from time to time he further added to his holdings. While living in Mason county he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Cathcart, secured a large tract of land on a five years' lease, made many excellent improvements thereon and developed and farmed the place. They also released portions of the tract to others and thus prospered.
In 1872 William J. Alexander purchased a section and a half of land on the Broadland tract in Champaign county, removing to that place in 1873. He there resided until 1905, during which period he purchased four hundred and eighty acres additional. All of this property he still owns with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his holdings in Illinois land comprise more than twelve hundred acres. In 1896 he went to Iowa and purchased over a section of land in Page and Fremont counties, all of which he has since sold. About 1902 he went to the Alberta country of Canada where he purchased eighteen sections of land, all of which he has since disposed of to advantage. For years he has engaged extensively in feeding cattle and this branch of his business is likewise proving profitable. In addition to his other interests he owns over two sections of land in Marion county, Ohio, and his farm property now aggregates about twenty-four hundred acres in Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. He has been very successful as a cattle feeder and land speculator, his judgment in business matters being at all times sound and reliable and his discrimination keen.
In 1905 Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Hattie Kyle of Ontario, Canada, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in Sidell and throughout Vermilion county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Christian church. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he in numbered among the substantial citizens of this county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of this section of the state and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section or advance its wonderful development." (History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume II by Lottie E. Jones, 1911, Page 479)
The youthful days of their son William were there passed and in the common schools he acquired a limited education. Reading, observation and experience have since greatly broadened his knowledge, making him a well informed man. About the time he attained his majority the call of the new world seemed to him irresistible and in 1854 or 1855 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. From the eastern coast he gradually made his way westward to Peoria county, Illinois, where he remained for about six months, at the end of which time he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he had an uncle living. Entering the employ of this uncle, Mr. Alexander worked for him for several years, acquainting himself with the essential features of success in the work of farming and raising cattle. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mason county, this investment being made about 1865 or 1866. A few years later he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Logan county, west of Lincoln, and from time to time he further added to his holdings. While living in Mason county he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Cathcart, secured a large tract of land on a five years' lease, made many excellent improvements thereon and developed and farmed the place. They also released portions of the tract to others and thus prospered.
In 1872 William J. Alexander purchased a section and a half of land on the Broadland tract in Champaign county, removing to that place in 1873. He there resided until 1905, during which period he purchased four hundred and eighty acres additional. All of this property he still owns with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his holdings in Illinois land comprise more than twelve hundred acres. In 1896 he went to Iowa and purchased over a section of land in Page and Fremont counties, all of which he has since sold. About 1902 he went to the Alberta country of Canada where he purchased eighteen sections of land, all of which he has since disposed of to advantage. For years he has engaged extensively in feeding cattle and this branch of his business is likewise proving profitable. In addition to his other interests he owns over two sections of land in Marion county, Ohio, and his farm property now aggregates about twenty-four hundred acres in Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. He has been very successful as a cattle feeder and land speculator, his judgment in business matters being at all times sound and reliable and his discrimination keen.
In 1905 Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Hattie Kyle of Ontario, Canada, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in Sidell and throughout Vermilion county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Christian church. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he in numbered among the substantial citizens of this county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of this section of the state and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section or advance its wonderful development." (History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume II by Lottie E. Jones, 1911, Page 479)
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