Alexander, Thomas C. (1839-1923)

ALEXANDER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/25/2019 at 16:48:52

Thomas C. Alexander
Sep 25, 1839 - June 2, 1923

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.83, Center Twp.)
Physician and surgeon, Oakland, was born in Union County, Ind., September 25, 1839. He is the son of James and Catharine (Hartsell) Alexander; he was born in Green County, Tenn., and she is a native of Virginia. They came to Indiana after their marriage, and in the fall of 1852 moved to Platte County, Mo., where they spent one winter, coming to Big Grove in the following spring, settling in Section 13, Township 75, Range 40. He sold this place to Ephraim Bird, and moved to Adams County, this State, in 1856. The following year they went to Kansas, but returned during the drought iu the fall of 1860. In 1864, they moved to Jackson County, Kan. The father died in 1867, and the mother in 1879. Our subject lived with his parents until 1860. In the following year, he enlisted, in Adams County, in the Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. E. Y. Burgan. His initiation iu war procedures took place in Page County, where they camped for two days. Gen. G. M. Dodge, at that time a Colonel, ordered a false alarm to be sounded in order to try the boys. At 3 o'clock in the morning, they were ordered out without giving them time to dress, and in this condition were drawn up in line of battle. Our subject was engaged in many of the principal battles of the war, including Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, at which latter places he carried the colors above the clouds. He was also engaged in the battles of Ringgold and Resaca, Ga., at which latter place he received a gun-shot wound in both legs. He afterward lay in several hospitals, until, recovering from his wounds, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, N. C. He was present at the surrender of Gen. J. E. Johnston, and was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., August 20, 1865, and returned to Big Grove, then his home, having returned on veteran furlough, and married at Big Grove, March 24, 1864, Miss Phoebe Huff, born in Mercer County, Ill, May 25, 1849. She was the daughter of Louis and Susan (Palmer) Hufl'. Her father was born in Stokes County, N. C, February 22, 1811. He came to Illinois, where he was married to Miss Palmer, who is a sister of Dr. Palmer, of Belknap Township. In 1865, our subject moved to Jackson County, Kan., and farmed during the following year. He then sold his place, and commenced the study of medicine under D. W. Taylor, M. D., of Holton, Kan., an old army Surgeon. Hare he studied for three years, afterward taking two courses of lectures at the E. M. Institute, of Cincinnati. He practiced at his profession in Holton until 1874, when he returned to Big Grove, where he has resided ever since. His residence is on thcsouthwest quarter of Section 5, Township 75, Range 39. He has two children - Elmer Ellsworth, born June 9, 1865, and Laura Belle born September 23, 1867. Mr. Alexander is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican.