DARKE COUNTY OHIO - BIOS: ALEXANDRE, JOSEPH (published 1900)
********************************************************
OHGENWEB NOTICE:  All distribution rights to this elec-
tronic data are reserved by the submitter.  Reproduction
or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require 
the permission of the copyright owner.  The submitter
has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store 
the file permanently for free access.
********************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Jane Torres
Jetorres@indiana.edu
June 3, 1999
********************************************************

A Biographical History of Darke County Ohio, published in
Chicago by the Lewis Publishing Company, 1900. p. 434-435


                    JOSEPH ALEXANDRE

     The subject of this sketch is one of the important factors
in the business circles of Yorkshire, Darke county, and his life
is an exemplification of the term, "the dignity of labor." He has
met with many ups and downs in life, but has never become
discouraged and is now successfully engaged in business as a
wholesale dealer in eggs and poultry, which he ships principally
to New York.
     He is a native of Darke county, born in York township, May
24, 1857.  His father, Andrew Alexandre, was born in Hannoville,
France, May 1, 1828, and came to the United States at the age of
twenty-three years, having stood his first draft for the army.
He was seventeen days crossing the ocean from Havre, France, to
New York city.  His means were limited, but he soon found
employment on the construction of the Big Four Railroad.  He is a
wagon-maker by trade, but since 1873 has engaged in the saw-mill
business in Darke county.  Here he married, in 1854, to Miss Mary
Couchot, who also was born in Hannoville, France, in May, 1834,
and in 1837 was brought to America by her parents.  Theirs was a
long, tedious and hazardous voyage, which lasted two months.  To
Mr. and Mrs. Alexandre were born nine children, eight sons and
one daughter, namely: John F., a wagon maker, who died in
February, 1886, leaving a widow and two sons; Joseph, our
subject; Albert, a farmer of Wabash township, this county;
Alexander, a resident of North Star; Mary, the wife of Frank
George, a merchant of that place; Nicholas, a blacksmith of
Versailles; Andy, who is engaged in merchandising at Osgood for
the firm of George Brothers; August, at home with his parents in
North Star, and is the clerk of Wabash township; and Frank, who
died in infancy.
     Joseph Alexandre received a fair common school education in
Frenchtown, near Brock, this county, and also pursued his studies
for a time in a log school house in Wabash township, attending
school until eighteen years of age.  He remained at his parental
home until he was married, January 22, 1882, to Miss Mary
Connaughton, who was born in Wabash township, July 11, 1855.  Her
parents were Timothy Connaughton and Mary, nee Hill, both of whom
were born in county Roscommon, Ireland, but were married after
their emigration to America, in Hamilton, Ohio.  They are now
deceased and are buried at Frenchtown.  Of their eight children
seven - four sons and three daughters -- reached manhood or
womanhood.  Those still living are John, a farmer of Wayne
township; Maggie; Eddy: Timothy; and Mary, the wife of our
subject.  Bridget married August Ganbaux and died in middle life.
Mrs and Mrs. Alexandre have no children of their own, but have
given a home to Irene Smith, born in Cunel, Wyandot county, Ohio,
March 1, 1891.
     For six years after his marriage our subject followed
farming, but was obliged to give up that occupation on account of
failing health, and for a time was interested in the breeding of
horses.  He purchased three thoroughbred stallions of Norman,
English and French stock, for which he paid five thousand
dollars, but this venture proved unprofitable and for a few years
he and his brother operated a threshing machine.  Since 1897 he
has given his time and attention to his present business and
during the busy season ships a carload of eggs per week, while
during the year he ships on an average of six thousand dozen per
week.  His sales now amount to about eight hundred dollars per
week, or some forty thousand dollars per year.  He is an
enterprising and progressive business man, and his success is
certainly worthily achieved.
     The Democratic party finds in Mr. Alexandre a staunch
supporter of its principle, and in 1899 he was elected county
commissioner by thirteen hundred majority over Mr. Meyers, the
Republican candidate.  There were two other candidates in the
field, and his nomination plainly indicates his personal
popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his
fellow citizens.  Religiously he and his wife are members of the
Catholic church.