Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JAMES
R. ALEXANDER
JAMES R. ALEXANDER. Although entitled by many years of activity
in the pioneer days of the state to a retirement to the pleasures and enjoyment
of a prosperous old age, James R. Alexander still gives his time and attention
to his business affairs, unwilling to resign a position which he has known so
long and which has brought him so much of prosperity. In 1852 he came empty-handed to the western
state, like many others in search of the fortune which youth and its attendant
confidence bade him believe in, and which he has won after many years of trial
and adversity. Courage, energy and
undoubted ability were the forces with which he worked, and not content with
his own success he has ever given his best efforts toward the upbuilding of his
adopted state, and today occupies a merited position of prominence among the
citizens of San Jose.
Born near Charleston, Va.,
March 10, 1830, Mr. Alexander was the son of Jacob Alexander, a
farmer of that locality. He was reared
and educated in his native place, and on attaining young manhood became
associated in the lumber business, building many flat boats which were used to
ship salt from the Connoy river. Attracted to the west by the glowing reports
of the gold fields, he crossed the plains in 1852 in company with an emigrant
train, all the members of which were in search of gold. They arrived at their destination
July 29, and in Plumas county the party
separated. Mr. Alexander went to
Feather river where he easily secured employment,
working by the day and receiving a half ounce of dust as his remuneration. Later in the year he went to Coloma, on the
American river, and in company with C. L. Hyde, who now lives in
Vallejo, Cal., he located a claim three miles from that place at Dutch
Flat. They met with a most gratifying
success, taking out from $10 to $16 per day.
A large rock was in their way and on removing it they found beneath $50
in gold. They remained in this location
for some time and continued their success, but like the many others prospecting
in those exciting times were always on the lookout for something better, and on
being advised to go to Poor Man’s Creek canyon, they abandoned their
claim. It was a long time before they
found as good a one, and the old mine became one of the best in the country,
millions of dollars being taken out of it.
Later they tried their luck at Craig’s Flat and Morristown, locating a
claim which they called Light House, a hydraulic mine which became one of
note. They sold out in 1860 and went
prospecting, and during the excitement at Solomon river
two years later Mr. Alexander went north and for several years thereafter
prospected in Oregon and Washington along the Snake and Columbia rivers. In time the partners entered into a mercantile
life, and also conducted a pack train. A
misfortune befell them in being robbed of their pack train and the loss of
considerable gold dust and nuggets.
Mr. Alexander and his partner then walked one hundred and
twenty-five miles back to Portland, Ore., carrying their blankets on their
backs. Mr. Alexander left his
partner in that city to look after the minting of their gold, while he attended
to some other business. He received the
report later that they had been robbed of their gold, but subsequently learned
that his partner had gone into business for himself. His confidence betrayed he, however, did not
confront his former friend, but leaving him in the enjoyment of his ill-gotten
gain he established himself in the grocery business with what limited finances
he had, locating in Morristown. At the
same time he engaged in prospecting and mining, and in 1865 he went to Montana;
but this venture proving a failure he returned to California, and locating in Downieville, Sierra county, he
engaged in hydraulic mining. Desiring to
give his children better educational advantages, he removed to St. Helena,
Napa county, his four daughters all graduating from
the grammar schools of that place.
Removing later to San Jose, three graduated at the state normal, while
the fourth received a thorough training in a commercial college. For the past eleven years he has made his
home in San Jose, but has still carried on his mining interests, principally in
Sierra county, where he owns some valuable mines. He is a hale and hearty man and enjoys his
work today as much as he did in the pioneer days of the state.
Mr. Alexander’s wife was formerly
Julia Benson, a native of New York. Six
children were born of the union, four of whom attained maturity and now make
their home with their parents: Luella, a
teacher; Olive, a teacher; Lillie, a stenographer and an attorney at law; and
Carrie, also a teacher. Lillie married
Frank H. Benson, an attorney.
Fraternally Mr. Alexander is a member of the Masonic Order and the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, having become associated with both societies
many years ago.
[Insert by D. Toole.]
JAMES
R. ALEXANDER
1912
Sep 10, San Jose Mercury News, P10, San Jose, California
Died
Alexander
– In San Jose, September 9, 1912, James R. Alexander, beloved husband of Julia
T. Alexander and father of Louella M. and Olive A.
Alexander and Mrs. Frank H. Benson of San Jose and Mrs. Charles H. Mason of
Morgan Hill, a native of West Virginia, aged 82 years and 6 months.
1912
Sep 10, San Jose Mercury News, P3, San Jose, California
James
R. Alexander is Taken by Death at 83
Had
Been Ill for Many Weeks, Though End Was Not Expected by Family
Came
to California in ’52, Was Typical Pioneer and Man of Sterling Worth
James
R. Alexander, a well-known resident of this city, and a California pioneer,
died last night at his residence, 702 [number blurred] East Santa Clara
street. He had been ill for several
weeks but his death was not expected.
Mr. Alexander was born in West Virginia, March 10, 1829. He had scarcely reached man’s estate when he
joined the hardy Argonauts in the perilous westward journey across the plains. In 1852 he reached California and engaged in
mining on the American river. From there
he went to Sierra county, where he located a mine on the north fork of the Yuba
river, which he operated until a few years ago, when
he sold his holdings to eastern capitalists.
For nearly 25 years Mr. Alexander was a resident of San Jose. He was a splendid type of the California
pioneer – brave, generous and kindly. He
played a man’s part in the early history of this state, and in his declining
years, though modest and retiring by nature, had a host of friends. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Julia T. Alexander,
and four daughters, Luella M. and Olive A. Alexander, Mrs. Frank H. Benson, who
resided with him at the time of his death, and Mrs. Charles B. Mason, of Morgan
Hill. Mr. Alexander was a member of
Mountain Shade lodge, F. and A. M., located at Downieville, Sierra county, and of Mount Hamilton lodge A.
O. U. W. of San Jose, and of the Santa Clara Society of Pioneers. The date of the funeral will be announced
later.
1912
Sep 11, San Jose Mercury News, P10, San Jose, California
Died
Alexander
– In San Jose, September 9, 1912, James R. Alexander, beloved husband of Julia
T. Alexander and father of Louella M. and Olive A.
Alexander and Mrs. Frank H. Benson of San Jose and Mrs. Charles B. Mason of
Morgan Hill, a native of West Virginia, aged 82 years and 6 months. Friends are invited to attend the funeral
today (Wednesday), September 11, 1912, at 2 o’clock p.m. from Masonic
Temple No. 272 South First street. Interment Oak Hill.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1226-1227. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.