ALPHA, Independence, IN., then St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
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INDEPENDENCE ALPHA, FRANKLIN, an old and estimable citizen of Franklin, was
born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 4, 1821.  He is the son of P. and Claria
(Cissna) Alpha.  P. Alpha was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, 1780.
They were married in 1820, and our subject is their third child in order of
birth and the only one now living.  Mr. Alpha was one of General Jackson's
staff at the battle of New Orleans, 1815.  He also served as circuit judge, of
Spencer county, Indiana, which appointment he received from Jackson while
President of the United States.  He held the position from 1830 until 1832,
when he resigned to emigrate to Louisiana.  Independence Alpha received a fair
education in the common schools of his day.  He was thrown upon his own
resources at the age of eighteen years and immediately entered the office of
the Franklin Republic, where he served an apprenticeship as a typesetter.  His
fidelity to business soon placed him in charge of the journal, and in 1840, on
the death of Phil. Parrett, he practically assumed its control and held the
position until 1844, when he removed to Mobile, Alabama, where he entered the
trade of carpenter and builder, in which he remained three years.  He finally
returned to Franklin and reentered the printing business, which he followed
for a series of years.  During the last few years, having retired from the
publishing business, he opened a wagon shop, and this business now engages his
attention.

Independence Alpha was married in Franklin, 1842, to Miss Caroline C.
Campbell, of Franklin, Louisiana, and there were born to this marriage twelve
children, nine of whom are now living.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
357.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.