“UNCLE JIM” NEARED
THE CENTURY MARK
J. H. ALEXANDER, OLD RESIDENT, PASSES
AWAY AFTER LONG AND USEFUL LIFE
SAW HALLEY’S TWICE
Born Before Battle of New Orleans and
Lived Before Telephone Was Invented
J. H. “Uncle Jim” Alexander, nearly 97 years old, one of the oldest residents of Arkansas and the only man in this state who saw Halley’s comet twice, died yesterday morning at his home, No. 602 West Fourth Avenue, following an accident which befell him on December 24, 1910, when he fell, injuring his left hip. Previous to that time Mr. Alexander enjoyed excellent health, retaining all of his faculties and even up to the time of his death his mind was clear and his memory exceptional.
“Uncle Jim” Alexander’s death was not unexpected, although he had shown improvement and was able to sit up in bed for several days previous to the end. For some days following his fall he was unable to stand or walk, but sat up in bed much of the time. He seemed to be doing well when a few days ago he suffered a sinking spell and died yesterday morning at 7:30 o’clock, after everything possible was done for him.
The deceased was considered the most remarkable man in this city or section. Despite his advanced age he was active and hardly a day passed that he was not downtown, mixing with friends and discussing many incidents of nearly a century ago. He viewed the return of Halley’s comet seventy-six years ago, while living in Mississippi, and last year, when it made its return to the Heavens, “Uncle Jim” viewed it with a great deal of interest from his front porch on Laurel Street and his story of excitement caused by the visit of the comet seventy-five years ago, was most interesting. Mr. Alexander witnessed many great accomplishments during his day. He lived before the telephone was known and saw the steam engine introduced. He was a man of fine disposition and jovial nature and was loved and respected by the little boys and girls as well as his old comrades and companions of early days.
He was born in Hardeman County, Tennessee, October 25, 1814. The year before the Battle of New Orleans he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Pryor-September 14, 1837. She died July 14, 1887, just two weeks before their golden wedding anniversary. In 1838 he moved to Mississippi, where he was a planter for many years. A few years after his wife’s death, he came to Pine Bluff, where he lived until his death. Thirteen children composed the original family circle in the Alexander home, but only three survived their aged parent. They are G. P. Alexander, of Memphis; Mrs. Olivia L. Cocke and V. O. Alexander, of this city. There are a great many grandchildren and great grandchildren living in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and California.
Mr. Alexander was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church.
The funeral will take place from the residence of his son, V. O. Alexander, No. 603 West Fourth Avenue, this afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. The services will be conducted by Rev. J. I. Norris, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The active pall bearers will be: C. M. Philpot, Robert Finley, J. C. Chesnutt, C. H. Triplett, Jr., S. F. Hilzheim, A. W. Nunn, J. H. Jordan and Eugene Ellsberry. The honorary pall bearers are: J. W. Crawford, Fred Fox, S. C. Alexander, H. G. Higinbotham, R. D. McGaughy, J. H. Mann, J. H. Eddins, W. D. Vance, S. D. Wilson and J. H. Tucker.
Pine Bluff Daily Graphic
July 30, 1911
Page 1
J. H. ALEXANDER
Special to the Gazette
Pine Bluff, July 29-J. H. Alexander, aged 97 years and said to be the oldest resident of the state, died today as the result of an accident last December. Mr. Alexander slipped and fell on the pavement during the extreme cold weather at that time, and never recovered from the fall.
Mr. Alexander held the distinction of having seen Halley’s comet twice, once 76 years ago and again last year. He was born the year after the Battle of New Orleans during the war of 1812. He was married in 1837, and his wife died just two weeks before they would have celebrated their golden wedding. Up to the time of the accident Mr. Alexander was in good health and was in possession of all of his mental faculties.
He is survived by two sons, V. C. Alexander, a wholesale grocer of this city and G. T. Alexander of Memphis, and a daughter, Mrs. Olivia Cocke of this city. W. P. Alexander of Little Rock is also a relative. He has numerous grandchildren in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and California, who survive him. He had originally 13 children, but all are dead with the exception of his two sons and a daughter.
The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o’clock and the services will be conducted by Rev. J. I. Norris of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Alexander had been a member of the Presbyterian Church for 80 years.
Daily Arkansas Gazette
July 30, 1911
Page 6