James Alexander
James Alexander, an influential citizen of Allentown, this county, was born December 31, 1842, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, about one mile from his present home. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Howsel) Alexander and a grandson of James Alexander, who came here form Pennsylvania about 1838.
James Alexander, subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in German township, where he enlisted in the 118th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and served during the Civil War. He was a farmer and upon returning home resumed his old-time occupation. He owns a fine farm in section 32, German township and the home residence in Allentown.
Among the near neighbors of the Alexanders was the family of John and Nancy (Dougherty) Cremean, who had also located in the county at an early day. The children of the two families played together, attended the same school and grew up together, and, on December 24, 1865, a still stronger bond was formed in the union of James Alexander and Lydia Cremean. Six children were born to them, namely: William, born October 7, 1866, who married Annie Coon, resides in Lima, and was the father of one child, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, born March 20, 1868, who married Richard Smith and is the mother of six children Terry Plmer, Violet Chloe, Lela, Belbe, James Berlin and one who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who resided in Van Wert County, where she died May 30, 1905; Charles, born January 7,1870, who married May Snyder, of Albany, Indiana, and has one child, Beatrice he resides in Bloomdale, Wood County, Ohio, where he is engaged in the ministerial work of the United Brethren Church; Oras Albertus, born March 12, 1874, who died January 26, 1881; Emma, born April 12, 1876, who married John Bowersox and is the mother of two children Irene and James Cecil; and Harley, born April 12, 1884, who married Jesse Long and is the father of one child, James Wayne. Mr. Alexander is a member of the United Brethren Church of Allentown, and a man of integrity and sterling worth.