Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Alexander, Thomas Mirl October 11, 1853 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net November 5, 2005, 4:15 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

Thomas Mirl Alexander

     Well established in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens of

Saguache county, who have recently crowned his twelve years of useful labor and

elevated citizenship among them with a convincing proof of their regard by

electing him to represent them in the lower house of the state legislature, and

with a large body of property which yields a comfortable income and enables him

to take an active interest in several of the leading industries of the state and

devote the forces of his well trained and energetic mind to the welfare of the

people, fate would seem to have in store for Thomas M. Alexander a career of

unusual credit and benefit to the state.  If health and strength serve him for

the purpose, and his desire for it continues, there can scarcely be any question

of his remaining in public life and occupying even more honorable positions in

the future than he has in the past.  For he has worthily met the requirements of

his utmost duty so far, and as it is one of his strong characteristics to do all

the time and everywhere, his public services will continue to be valuable and

appreciated.  Mr. Alexander was born at Prospect, Butler county, Pennsylvania,

on October 11, 1853, the son of Robert D. and Martha M. (Ferguson) Alexander,

who were also natives of that state and passed their live within its borders. 

The father farmed and raised live stock successfully and profitably, and was a

man of prominence in his county, filling several official positions there from

time to time, and making a good record for capacity and fidelity in each.  He

was a Republican in politics and he and his wife belonged to the United

Presbyterian church.  Eight children were born of their union, of whom Thomas M.

is the only one living.  The father died on December 8, 1878, and the mother on

November 11, 1881.  The son received a good education in the district schools

and at the Western Academy, in his native county.  He remained at home until he

reached the age of twenty years, then turned his attention to drilling in the

oil fields of Pennsylvania, and after four months of varying success in

searching for the unctuous fluid which was one of the money-making profits of

the period, he came west on May 7, 1873, and located in Caroll county, Missouri.

 Here he taught school during the winter and worked on a farm during the summer

until the spring of 1881, then went to Franklin county, Kansas, and bought a

farm which he worked two years and then sold it.  In the spring of 1884 he

purchased another farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Coffey county, that

state, and this he still owns.  In 1889 he came to Colorado for the benefit of

his health, and also in search of a suitable location for a permanent residence

in this part of the country in case he should find it necessary or desirable to

remain.  After traveling through this and other western states until 1892, he

selected Saguache county, Colorado, as the most advantageous situation for his

welfare, and bought a ranch of three hundred and sixty acres of tillable land

eight miles southeast of the county seat, to the operation and improvement of

which he at once began to devote his attention.  His excellent judgment as a

farmer and his good taste in the matter of improvements are shown by the present

condition of the place; which is one of the most productive and attractive

country homes in the county.  The ranch is supplied with water from four

artesian wells, is all well fenced, and has a full complement of first rate

buildings covering every requirement for the extensive ranching and stock

business which is carried on there.  From his advent in the county Mr. Alexander

has taken a very active and intelligent part in its public affairs.  He has

served as county assessor since the first of 1900, having been elected to the

office on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1899.  On November 8, 1904, he

was elected a county representative in the state legislature as the candidate of

the same party, having demonstrated his capacity and especial fitness for public

service in his prior office.  From 1896 to 1904 he was also engaged in

saw-milling on an extensive scale, but sold this branch of his business in the

year last named.  He is interested in the Steele Canyon Mining, Milling and

Investment Company, and the Saguache Home Mining Company, and gives to the

affairs of each a goodly share of his attention.  Being an earnest and

far-seeing friend of the cause of public education, he has done much to promote

the good of the school system in the county, both by wise counsel and active

efforts in its behalf.  His home is in the town of Saguache, but no part of the

county escapes his attention or is without the benefit of his active and

serviceable interest.  Starting with but little capital, he has so managed his

affairs and worked his opportunities that he is now one of the substantial and

influential men of the county and one of the most energetic promoters of every

element of its progress and development.  From the serious business of life he

takes frequent recreation in hunting and fishing, of which he is passionately

fond and at which he is skillful and successful.  He is practically a self-made

man and entitled on personal merit to the general esteem in which he is held and

the universal popularity which he enjoys.  In fraternal life he is a valued

member of the order of Elks and the Odd Fellows, and in the latter he has passed

all the chairs in his lodge.  On January 16,1877, he was joined in marriage with

Miss Elizabeth J. Kemble, a native of Youngstown, Ohio.  They have had eight

children.  Of these one daughter named Jeannette is dead, and the following are

living:  Robert E., Joseph W., Thomas G., Elsie L, Sarah L., James A. and Myrtle

M.  Mrs. Alexander is a lady of accomplishments and great energy.  She takes a

prominent part in social life in and around the city, and is an active worker in

the interests of the Baptist church, of which she has long been a member.

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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