Henry Alder
Henry Alder (deceased) was born on the old "Alder place," in Canaan township, March 16, 1809. He is a son of Jonathan Alder, one of Madison County's earliest settlers, who is fully spoken of in the body of this work. Our subject grew up on the farm and devoted his whole life to that honorable avocation. He was one of twelve children, eight daughters and four sons. He began life for himself by renting land, and afterward purchased a tract of two hundred acres across the creek from his father, where Henry Clay Alder now lives; when about twenty three years of age, he married Elizabeth Millikin, who died January 1, 1874. He afterward married Rebecca Timmons. daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Silvers) Timmons, natives of Pennsylvania. He died March 26, 1877, about eighteen months after his second marriage. He had nine children, all by his first wife. viz.: Isaac, Jacob (deceased), James (deceased), Mary (deceased), Henry Clay, Angeline (wife of Martin High), twins (who both died young), and Lewis (who lives on the old homestead). Mr. Alder was a prominent Republican, County Surveyor many years, and, Justice of the Peace more than thirty years. His widow resides on their farm in Canaan Township. She was born in Pennsylvania, while all the balance of the family were natives of Ohio.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]