Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Alexander, Robert ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 1:09 am Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County ROBERT ALEXANDER, who is engaged in the wholesale meat business in Joliet and is also a member of the firm of Fleischer & Co., representing the Anheuser- Busch Brewing Company, was born in Stuttgart, the capital city of Wurtemberg, Germany, March 2, 1853, a son of Isaac and Theresa (Neuman) Alexander, also natives of Wurtemberg. His father, a man of superior intelligence and information, became interested at an early age in antiquities and in art, and gave his attention to the collection of paintings, arms and armor, laces, porcelain, etc. In this way he became known throughout his entire country, and his collection was said to be one of the finest ever made. His life was wholly given up to his family and his business. His wife died in 1869 and he in 1893. Of their ten children, three daughters and two sons are still living, the two latter, Robert and Henry, being in Joliet. After having completed the studies of the high school in Stuttgart, our subject came to America in 1870, joining two sisters in North Carolina, where he secured work as a clerk. Later he was employed in Atlanta, Ga., Memphis, Tenn., and St. Paul, Minn. The summer of 1876 he spent in Bismarck, N. Dak., after which he clerked in Brownsville, Tex., for four years. In 1883 he went to Chicago and was employed in the office of the commanding general, Philip Sheridan, in that city. When General Schofield succeeded to the command, he continued with him as confidential clerk, and also held a similar position with the next commanding generals, Terry and Crook. On the death of General Crook, in 1890, he came to Joliet and embarked in the wholesale meat business with his father-in-law, Jonas Kahn, the firm title being Kahn & Alexander. At first they acted as consignees for Armour & Co., but in 1894 they settled with that firm and engaged in business independently. Since the death of Mr. Kahn, March 24, 1897, Mr. Alexander has been alone, although he still retains the old firm name. In Chicago, in 1886, Mr. Alexander married Millie, daughter of Jonas Kohn. Fraternally he is connected with Matteson Lodge of Masonry, is past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter and a member of the council of Royal and Select Masters in Joliet. He is also associated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Besides his other interests he acts as executor of the Kahn estate. He is an energetic and capable business man and is justly meeting with success. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/alexande1056gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb