John Vance ALEXANDERAge: 74 years1881–1955
- Name
- John Vance ALEXANDER
- Given names
- John Vance
- Surname
- ALEXANDER
Birth | September 13, 1881 Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence Shared note: His death certificate says he was born in Mississippi, but that appears to be incorrect. |
Occupation | Teacher yes |
Alt. Birth | December 13, 1881 (Age 3 months) Publication: http://search.labs.familysearch.org , Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, © 1999-2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Citation details: about John Vance Alexander, Film # 4142574, Image # 531 Quality of data: primary evidence Note: It appears that this date is in error, although the place of birth was probably correct. |
Death of a maternal grandmother | Susannah Tillery GREER October 23, 1882 (Age 13 months) |
Birth of a sister | Cora Althea ALEXANDER April 18, 1884 (Age 2 years) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Althia White, Film # 2218565, Digital Film # 4031922, Image # 1024, Ref. # 4381 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Birth of a brother | Joseph Riley ALEXANDER May 23, 1886 (Age 4 years) Publication: Copyright © 1998-2005, MyFamily.com Inc., http://ssdi.rootsweb.com Quality of data: primary evidence Note: Last residence Fort Stockton, Texas. Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film number: 2242783, Digital GS number: 4167878, Image number: 2131, Reference number: 40176, death record of Joseph Riley Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Birth of a sister | Grover ALEXANDER July 1, 1888 (Age 6 years) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Grover A. Redford, film # 2117176, Digital Film # 4028564, Image # 3332, Ref. # cn 10750 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death of a mother | Martha Elizabeth MASSEY September 17, 1894 (Age 13 years) |
Death of a maternal grandfather | Allen Alonzo MASSEY May 9, 1900 (Age 18 years) |
Marriage | Lenore Elizabeth DANIEL — View this family June 23, 1909 (Age 27 years) Source: Family Bible |
Death of a paternal grandmother | Martha M. HENDERSON January 4, 1910 (Age 28 years) |
Birth of a son #1 | John Vance ALEXANDER May 15, 1910 (Age 28 years) |
Death of a son | John Vance ALEXANDER December 25, 1910 (Age 29 years) |
Birth of a daughter #2 | Lenore Elizabeth ALEXANDER July 18, 1912 (Age 30 years) Source: Family Bible |
Death of a father | Joseph Anderson ALEXANDER January 4, 1915 (Age 33 years) |
Residence | September 9, 1918 (Age 36 years) Publication: Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Quality of data: primary evidence |
Occupation | farmer employed by T. L. Sansom September 13, 1918 (Age 37 years)Publication: Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Quality of data: primary evidence |
Baptism of a daughter | Lenore Elizabeth ALEXANDER March 19, 1922 (Age 40 years) |
Occupation | postal clerk 1930 (Age 48 years) Source: HeritageQuest Online Publication: http://persi.heritagequestonline.com , © 1999-2004 Citation details: 1930 census, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, block #3709, enum. dist. 220-81, sheet 47A, Series: T626 Roll: 2397 Page: 183 Quality of data: secondary evidence |
Death of a wife | Lenore Elizabeth DANIEL August 25, 1937 (Age 55 years) Cause: auricular [atrial] fibriliation [atrial fribrillation], cardiac hypertrophy Source: Family Bible Publication: Ancestry.com, Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006, Original data: Texas Department of Health, Texas Death Indexes, 1903-2000, Austin, TX, USA: Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit. Citation details: Record of Mrs. Lenore Daniel Alexander, #43508 Quality of data: primary evidence Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2117297, Digital GS # 4166734, Image # 2744, Ref. # cn 43508, Death Certificate of Mrs. Lenore Daniel Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial of a wife | Lenore Elizabeth DANIEL August 26, 1937 (Age 55 years) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2117297, Digital GS # 4166734, Image # 2744, Ref. # cn 43508, Death Certificate of Mrs. Lenore Daniel Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death of a sister | Mary Emma ALEXANDER June 14, 1939 (Age 57 years) Cause: coronary occlusion due to chronic articular (?) inflamation Source: Linn, Kay Nance, e-mail Citation details: 16 Mar 2001,5:49PM Quality of data: primary evidence Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: death of Mary Emma Gault, Film # 2118255, Digiatl GS # 4030454, Image # 2799, Ref. # Item 6 cn29698 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Occupation | mail clerk in the post office 1940 (Age 58 years)Publication: www.ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012 Citation details: T627, roll T627_4189, Fort Worth, enumeration district (ED) 257-141, sheet 2B, p. 2B, household 35, James F. Williams, accessed 9 Aug 2012 Quality of data: primary evidence Note: Justice Precinct 1, Fort Worth CIity Ward 22 (Area D - PART) |
Occupation | postal worker about 1941 (Age 59 years)Publication: http://search.labs.familysearch.org , Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, © 1999-2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Citation details: about John Vance Alexander, Film # 4142574, Image # 531 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Birth of a grandson #1 | David Frank WILLIAMS January 11, 1942 (Age 60 years) |
Death of a sister | Cora Althea ALEXANDER January 18, 1947 (Age 65 years) Cause: diabetes millitus, diabetic coma, with breast cancer contributing Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Althia White, Film # 2218565, Digital Film # 4031922, Image # 1024, Ref. # 4381 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial of a sister | Cora Althea ALEXANDER January 20, 1947 (Age 65 years) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Althia White, Film # 2218565, Digital Film # 4031922, Image # 1024, Ref. # 4381 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death of a sister | Modena Alcesta Lowery ALEXANDER January 21, 1949 (Age 67 years) Cause: cancer of the abdominal viscera Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Modena Alcesta Madden, Film # 2223119, Digital Film Number 4031763, Image Number 1140, Reference Number cn3368 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial of a sister | Modena Alcesta Lowery ALEXANDER January 22, 1949 (Age 67 years) Source: Salem Cemetery Listings Publication: Information provided by Pat Redford Kidd, & Carroll C. Osbourn for publication on Tales of Old (www.talesofold.net) Quality of data: primary evidence Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Modena Alcesta Madden, Film # 2223119, Digital Film Number 4031763, Image Number 1140, Reference Number cn3368 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death of a brother | James Anderson ALEXANDER September 14, 1950 (Age 69 years) Cause: coronary thrombosis due to chronic myocorditis Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: film # 2074493, Digital GS # 4166796, Image # 1032, Ref. # 45398, Death Certificate of James Anderson Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death of a sister | Susan Martha ALEXANDER January 23, 1952 (Age 70 years) Cause: coronary occlusion due to senility, with rheumatoid arthritis as other significant condition Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Susan Martha Henderson, Film # 2074928, Digital Film # 4167223, Image # 176, Ref. # cn 162 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial of a sister | Susan Martha ALEXANDER January 26, 1952 (Age 70 years) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: about Susan Martha Henderson, Film # 2074928, Digital Film # 4167223, Image # 176, Ref. # cn 162 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death | December 31, 1955 (Age 74 years) Cause of death: myocardial infarction, acute (interval between onset and actual death was 36 hours) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial | January 2, 1956 (2 days after death) Source: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Religion | Baptist yes |
Unique identifier | 4B35BE5E47F64D4D81A332D7B8426FE6EFD8 yes |
Last change | April 13, 2015 – 10:50 |
Family with parents |
father |
Birth: November 30, 1839 — near Athens, Limestone, Alabama, USA Death: January 4, 1915 |
mother |
|
Marriage: February 20, 1868 — Coldwater, Desoto County, Mississippi, USA |
|
10 months elder sister |
Josephine Alena ALEXANDER Birth: December 14, 1868 — Marshall County, Mississippi, USA Death: November 8, 1959 — Mrs. Joe Tinney Rest Home, Brady Pct. 1, McCulloch, Texas, USA |
22 months elder brother |
|
20 months elder brother |
Birth: July 2, 1872 — Waterford, Marshall, Mississippi, USA Death: September 14, 1950 — Wichita Falls State Hospital, Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas, USA |
2 years elder sister |
Modena Alcesta Lowery ALEXANDER Birth: November 5, 1874 — Mississippi, USA Death: January 21, 1949 — Llano, Llano, Texas, USA |
23 months elder sister |
Susan Martha ALEXANDER Birth: September 24, 1876 — Mississippi, USA Death: January 23, 1952 — Bell County, Texas, USA |
3 years elder sister |
Mary Emma ALEXANDER Birth: April 7, 1879 — Robertson County, Texas, USA Death: June 14, 1939 — Midland, Midland, Texas, USA |
2 years himself |
Birth: September 13, 1881 — Robertson County, Texas, USA Death: December 31, 1955 — Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA |
3 years younger sister |
Birth: April 18, 1884 — Llano, Llano, Texas, USA Death: January 18, 1947 — St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA |
2 years younger brother |
Joseph Riley ALEXANDER Birth: May 23, 1886 — Llano, Llano, Texas, USA Death: May 27, 1973 — Memorial Hospital, Fort Stockton, Pecos, Texas, USA |
2 years younger sister |
Grover ALEXANDER Birth: July 1, 1888 — Llano, Llano, Texas, USA Death: January 21, 1963 — Kerrville State Hospital, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, USA |
Father’s family with Henrietta A. STANALAND |
father |
Birth: November 30, 1839 — near Athens, Limestone, Alabama, USA Death: January 4, 1915 |
step-mother |
Henrietta A. STANALAND Birth: November 7, 1848 — Georgia, USA Death: December 28, 1932 — Llano, Llano, Texas, USA |
Marriage: February 3, 1897 — Robertson County, Texas, USA |
|
Divorce: November 18, 1900 — |
Father’s family with Mary E. FLANAGAN |
father |
Birth: November 30, 1839 — near Athens, Limestone, Alabama, USA Death: January 4, 1915 |
step-mother |
Mary E. FLANAGAN Death: December 6, 1907 |
Marriage: March 26, 1903 — Llano County, Texas, USA |
Family with Lenore Elizabeth DANIEL |
himself |
Birth: September 13, 1881 — Robertson County, Texas, USA Death: December 31, 1955 — Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA |
wife |
Birth: August 19, 1885 — near West, McLennan, Texas, USA Death: August 25, 1937 — 3530 Crenshaw St., Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA |
Marriage: June 23, 1909 — Waco, McLennan, Texas, USA |
|
11 months son |
|
2 years daughter |
Birth: July 18, 1912 — Brady, McCulloch, Texas, USA Death: January 12, 1989 — near Burleson, Johnson, Texas, USA |
Birth | Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Alt. Birth | World War II Draft Registration - Family Search Labs Publication: http://search.labs.familysearch.org , Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, © 1999-2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Citation details: about John Vance Alexander, Film # 4142574, Image # 531 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Marriage | Family Bible |
Residence | World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record Publication: Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Quality of data: primary evidence |
Occupation | World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record Publication: Ancestry.com, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Quality of data: primary evidence |
Occupation | HeritageQuest Online Publication: http://persi.heritagequestonline.com , © 1999-2004 Citation details: 1930 census, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, block #3709, enum. dist. 220-81, sheet 47A, Series: T626 Roll: 2397 Page: 183 Quality of data: secondary evidence |
Occupation | 1940 U.S. census, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Digital images Publication: www.ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012 Citation details: T627, roll T627_4189, Fort Worth, enumeration district (ED) 257-141, sheet 2B, p. 2B, household 35, James F. Williams, accessed 9 Aug 2012 Quality of data: primary evidence Note: Justice Precinct 1, Fort Worth CIity Ward 22 (Area D - PART) |
Occupation | World War II Draft Registration - Family Search Labs Publication: http://search.labs.familysearch.org , Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, © 1999-2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Citation details: about John Vance Alexander, Film # 4142574, Image # 531 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Death | Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Burial | Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 Publication: index and images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org) Citation details: Film # 2114625, Digital GS # 4165504, Image # 638, Ref. # 63986, Death certificate of John Vance Alexander Quality of data: primary evidence |
Note | HeritageQuest Online Publication: http://persi.heritagequestonline.com , © 1999-2004 Citation details: 1910 Census, McCulloch county, Texas, precinct 4, enum. dist. 193, sheet 35A, Series: T624 Roll: 1574 Page: 232 Quality of data: secondary evidence |
Note | HeritageQuest Online Publication: http://persi.heritagequestonline.com , © 1999-2004 Citation details: 1930 census, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, block #3709, enum. dist. 220-81, sheet 47A, Series: T626 Roll: 2397 Page: 183 Quality of data: secondary evidence |
Note | A History of Dickens County Ranches and Rolling Plains Publication: © 1971, published by Nortex Offset Publications, Inc. Citation details: p. 45 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Note | World War II Draft Registration - Family Search Labs Publication: http://search.labs.familysearch.org , Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, © 1999-2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Citation details: about John Vance Alexander, Film # 4142574, Image # 531 Quality of data: primary evidence |
Note | 1940 U.S. census, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Digital images Publication: www.ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012 Citation details: T627, roll T627_4189, Fort Worth, enumeration district (ED) 257-141, sheet 2B, p. 2B, household 35, James F. Williams, accessed 9 Aug 2012 Quality of data: primary evidence Note: Justice Precinct 1, Fort Worth CIity Ward 22 (Area D - PART) |
Note | Dallas Morning News Historical Archive 1885-1977 Publication: NewsBank, Inc., © 2004, The Dallas Morning News Citation details: "The City in Brief," Paper: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, published as The Fort Worth Telegram; Date: 11-08-1908; Volume: XXVI; Issue: 297; Page: Page Fifteen; Col. 7; Location: Fort Worth, Texas Quality of data: primary evidence |
Birth | His death certificate says he was born in Mississippi, but that appears to be incorrect. |
Alt. Birth | It appears that this date is in error, although the place of birth was probably correct. |
Occupation | Justice Precinct 1, Fort Worth CIity Ward 22 (Area D - PART) |
Shared note | He was born on a Tuesday. He passed the Law Exam which would have allowed him to practice law if he had wished.
Apparently he taught school in the following places:
Clear Creek School, Brown Co. Texas (Mar. 1,1906-Postcard)
Mercury, Texas-1906 (postcard)
Bangs - Mar. & Apr., 1907 (postcards)
Dumont, Dickens County (?) (pictures), Texas (He was in Dickens Texas in May of 1908 according to a postcard addressed to him there, A postcard was addressed to him at Dumont, Dickens Co, Texas in February, 1909)
(In the summer of 1908 he attended Nelson Draughon College in Fort Worth - a post card was addressed to him c/o the college - Dollie was visiting in Wortham for two months, visited Mexia and Teague, picked some cotton)
Fife-1909 (He was living in Fife in 1910,1912-postcards)
Brady-? (Lived in Brady when first married though he taught in Fife at the time-Postcard in 1909)
THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF A LETTER FROM JOE A. ALEXANDER
TO HIS SON JOHN VANCE ALEXANDER
Republic, Tex. Dec. 6, 1905
J. V. Alexander
Brownwood, Tex.
Dear Son yours of the 29" rec'd & read with Joy and gladness. & I am made to cry. Glory to God for the Salvation of my Boy. May he ever be found in the paths of duty & Rightousness is the Prayer of your Father. Never turn away from seeking his counsel in all things and he will never leave you. John I liked to have left you all yesterday. had flutterings of the heart all day & Just able to sit up a little to day. I ache from my neck down so I can hardly be up enough to write you . If I was able would write to all the children what seems to me to be my farwell letter. Oh, how I would like to see you all once more to give them My parting Blessing. for so sure as I have another spell as yesterday I will surly go Home . It has been my prayer that I might see all my children converted to the Lord before I died but then Riley what of him. how can I leave him It breaks my heart to think of it. but my Prayer is yet that God will save him. Now John I cant write any (word marked out) more I am all torn up with troubles that you know nothing of. but will find out later on
May Gods Blessings ever be with you all is the prayer of your unworthy Father Amen
Until soon.
J. A. Alexander
P. S. I filled out those questions as near correct as I know. As to your grand Parents Massey I do not know what they died of The old Lady died 15 or 20 years before the man. She was between 50 (?) and 65 (?) The old man somewhere (? ) in 80 J.A.A.
I have attempted to transcribe this letter correctly. I only had some Xerox copies to work from and they are not very clear. I have attempted to copy even spelling and punctuation errors correctly; however, I am not certain about some of these since some apparent errors could be caused by a poor copy. Joseph Alexander lived until January 4, 1915.
In 1908, there was a notice in the Star Telegram from the Brady Enterprise. It said that J. V. Alexander was visiting his uncle, T. L. Sansom. The article said that he had recently graduated in bookkeeping in Fort Worth.
The Waco Daily Times Herald, June 23, 1909, p. 2 lists a marriage license issued to J. V. Alexander and Miss Lenore Daniel. On Friday, June 27, there is an announcement of the wedding.
The following clippings were found in Lenore Williams's photo album. It is unknown in what newspaper or newspapers they were printed.
John V. Alexander, better known as "Whiskers," acted a little suspiciously the latter part of last week and Saturday he went to the depot and bought a ticket to Waco. It is not known what his object in making the visit can be, but it is noised around that he has contracted for two positions in the Rochelle school and it is thought that he has gone after an assistant in the work.
Alexander-Daniel
At 8 o'clock Wednesday evening Prof. J. V. Alexander of Brady and Miss Dollie
Daniel of this city were united in marriage at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Bettie Daniel of North Waco. Rev. J. E. Johnson, pastor of the Seventh and James Street Baptist church, officiating. Only relatives and intimate friends were present. After partaking of a collation prepared for the occasion, Professor and Mrs. Alexander left on the Houston and Texas Central for Llano, where they will visit the father of the groom J. A. Alexander. Following a few days' stay there, they will make their home at Brady.
The bride is one of Waco's most winsome and attractive young women, whose charming ways and gracious personality have endeared her to many here and in other places.
Professor Alexander is well known in Texas educational circles, a man of profound learning, whose ability as a teacher has often been recognized. His genial disposition and kindly manner are among his many admirable characteristics.
Congratulations in abundance are tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander.
The following clipping was printed in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, date unknown. At the beginning of the article there is a picture and the caption J. V. Alexander.
FORT WORTH MAN TAUGHT EAKER ABCs
"Ira was sort of an independent youngster but he got along with the other kids all right--they never gave him any trouble," reminisced J. V. Alexander, 3530 Crenshaw, who taught Maj.. Gen. Ira Eaker, commander of the Eighth Army Air Forces in Eng land, how to read and write in Field Creek School back about 1905.
Alexander, now a postoffice mail clerk, recalled that "Ira" was an ideal pupil--was never late to class and could always be depended upon to tell the truth. He wasn't mischievous like many of the youngsters and never caused his teacher a moment's worry. His success in the military world was no surprise to Alexander who could tell from the first Ira was going places.
When Ira and his younger brother were attending the Field Creek School near Llano, Alexander visited in their home several times and would sometimes spend the night there. He remembers General Eaker's father as a husky farmer who was one of the school trustees and his mother as taking a great interest in her boys' school work. "Ira couldn't help but be a big man with the parents he had," said Alexander.
Although he hasn't seen General Eaker since he taught him the alphabet, Alexander has kept up with him through the newspapers, and hopes to see his pupil again some day.
In 1917 Alexander came to Fort Worth to live and since 1920 has been connected with the post office department.
The following is another clipping on the above subject. The newspaper name is unknown, but it could be the Fort Worth Press.
He Taught the General
Maj. Gen. Ira Eaker, commander of the 8th Air Force in England, was once a student of J. V. Alexander, 3530 Crenshaw.
Alexander, now a postoffice clerk, taught General Eaker how to read and write in Field Creek School, near Llano, about 1905.
The following is a letter found among the belongings of Lenore Williams. It was written to J. V. Alexander and his wife Dolly in Fife, Texas one year after the death of their son Vance.
Tulia, Texas, Jan. 23, 1912
Dear Bro. and Sister Alexander
I very much appreciated your Christmas letter and should have answered but have been away from home quite a bit. Yes, I well remember that sad time and how my heart went out to you both in your great sorrow. I shall keep your letter for it is the only one of the kind I ever received and I shall place it among the letters I keep.
I came near repeating my experience with you all this Christmas. Just a few days after Christmas I received a call to go 30 miles North-East to conduct the funeral of a baby and it to be the little three month old babe of a young Professor. He was teaching the school out there and had sent back to East Texas for his young wife and babe and it took pneumonia and died in a week after she came. We had zero weather and I came near freezing but could not refuse them in their trouble. In the funeral I told of your letter which I had just received and it seemed to make a deep impression on all present.
I hope you will have a good year and I pray Heavens blessings to rest on you both. Live close to God and keep active in His service and there you will find comfort and happiness.
Faithfully your friend
W. A. Knight
The family Bible pages saved by Lenore Williams say that they were married June 23, 1909 at Waco, Texas. Rev J. E. Johnson, the pastor of James St. Baptist Church officiated. On the same page as the marriage record there is a typewritten note which says "Baptized into the Baptist Church at Polytechnic by Dr. G. W. Sherman, pastor, June 26, 1921. It does not state whether it was John Vance Alexander or his wife or both who were baptized then.
There is a Report of Teacher's Examination for State Certificate issued June 2, 1917 to Mr. J. V. Alexander, Valley Spring Texas, Llano County. He made a score of 80, sufficient for a four year second grade certificate. There is a State Second Grade Certificate which was good until August 31, 1921. It was dated June 2, 1917.
Althea Bush (his niece) tells how he gave her her first and only spanking in school. She was in the first grade. John gave her an assignment to memorize a rhyme. She said she could not even read, and this was just too much! So she walked out and went home! The next day he spanked her and stood her in the corner as punishment.
There is a postcard in Dec. 1907, addressed to him in Dickens, Texas which said they had seen a notice in the paper that said he had been licensed to marry. It seems like he may have broken up with someone before he courted my grandmother.
He is said to have had a cousin, Tom Alexander who married a Harlow, parents unknown.
In 1907 he registered his teaching certificate in Dickens County. That is the same year that Dollie Daniel, his future wife, registered hers. They probably were there two years since there is a picture of Miss Mayfield, and she registered her certificate in the following year, 1908. He may have taught in Wichita School since there are pictures of the school, and Murchison and Counts families are in the pictures that his wife Dollie took.
In World War I he registered for the draft as John Vance Alexander, residing in Mercury, McCollough, TX, age 36, born Sept. 13, 1881. He was a farmer employed by T. L. Sansom in Mercury, McCullough, Texas. He was medium height and build, blue eyes, and apparently brown hair. The date of registration was Sept. 9, 1918.
In World War II he registered as John Vance Alexander, 3530 Crenshaw, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas. His telephone number was 5-2631. He was aged 60. He was born in Robertson County, Texas on 13 Dec 1881. The person who would always know where he was was Mrs. J. F. Williams, Jr., 3530 Crenshaw, Fort Worth. His employer was H. D. Young, Postmaster, Fort Worth Post Office, Main Post Office, Lancaster & Jennings, Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas.
NOTE! It appears that the month of birth was in error!
Census:
1910
McCulloch County, Texas, precinct 4, enum. dist. 193, supervisors Dist. 14, sheet 35A
69/72, Alexander, John, head, m, w, 28, m1, 0, TX, AL, MS, teacher, public school, rent, house
----, Dolly, wife, f, w, 24, m1, 0, TX, AL, LA, teacher, public school (does this mean she was actually teaching school while she was expecting their first child? or did this only refer to her normal occupation?)
1930
Fort Worth, Tarrant, block #3709, Enum. dist. 220-81
Crenshaw St.
3530, 621/741, Alexander, John, head, o, 5000, radio, no, m, w, 49, m, 29, TX, MS, AL, clerk, postal
----, Lenore, wife-H, f, w, 39, m, 24, TX, US, LA, none
----, Lenore - , daughter, f, w, 10, s, TX, TX, TX, none
1940
Fort Worth,Tarrant,Texas; Roll: T627_4189; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 257-14135, own, 1500, not a farm, Williams, James F., head, m, w, 25, m, no, H4, Texas, same place, not a farm, 44 hours, truck driver, wholesale plumbing, PW, no outside income
----, Lenore (provided information), wife, f, w, 27,m, no, C-4, Texas, same place, not a farm, working at home, no outside income
Alexander, John V., father-in-law, m, w, 58, wd, 8 grade, Texas, same place, 40 hours, mail clerk, post office, OA, 52 weeks, 2100, no outside income |
Media object | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 393 × 487 pixels File size: 18 KB Highlighted image: yes |
Media object | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 500 × 406 pixels File size: 30 KB Note: John Vance Alexander, his wife Lenore Elizabeth "Dollie" Daniel, and their daughter Lenore Elizabeth Alexander is standing. |