Burnet County, TX - Bios: John Ross Alexander, 1833-1924 

August 30, 1999

   

Submitted by: jm

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 John Ross Alexander 

 

The following was modified somewhat from an obituary that appeared in the Burnet Bulletin,

May 1924. No further information is known.

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"Uncle Johnnie", as he was affectionately known, was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 

April 3, 1833, and moved with his parents to Texas at about the age of 16 years, settling 

at what is now Georgetown, where he grew to manhood.



On April 1, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Missouri Owens at Helena, Karnes County, 

Texas. After less than two years of wedded happiness, she died; leaving an infant son, the 

present L. E. Alexander.



On October 17th, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary Lamb, at Burnet, Texas. For the first few 

years after their marriage they made their home on Mesquite Creek, afterward moving to Burnet, 

where he engaged in the mercantile business for several years; then moved out seven miles 

north of Burnet, settling at what was known to old timers as Underhill Spring, where he spent 

the remainder of his life with the exception of a few months spent visiting his children in 

different parts of the state.



Here with his faithful companion, rearing their large family of children to manhood, and 

womanhood, all of whome are worthy and respected citizens.



Owing to an early accident, he was unable to enlist as a soldier in the Confederate army, 

but served as Captain of a band of Rangers organized for the protection of the homes and 

lives of the inhabitants of Burnet and surrounding territory, when the very name of hostile 

Indians struck terror to the hearts of the people. He faithfully discharged that duty and 

could tell many interesting and thrilling stories incident to that time.



He united with the Christian church in early life, living in that faith until claimed by death.



He was of quiet and retiring disposition, making it necessary to know him intimately to 

appreciate his real worth. He was possessed of a fine sense of humor, which was the delight 

of his friends. Even when strength was failing, and worn with suffering, there were flashes 

of that good humor witch often brought smiles to those in attendance.



As he grew older and depended on others to help him make decisions, his usual remark was: 

"I want to do what is right." That seemed to have been the guiding principle of his life, 

causing him to live at peace with his neighbors and having the respect and confidence of all 

with whom he came in contact.



In the last years of his life, with bodily strength failing, with eyesight and hearing greatly 

impaired and often lonely, berift of his devoted companion, there was never a murmur, but a 

quiet resignation, a cheerful patience, a Christian fortitude beautiful to see.



John Alexander, a pioneer citizen of Burnet County, died at the home of his son, L. E. Alexander, 

on April 24, 1924, after an illness of several weeks.



The remains were carried to Mesquite, where interment was made in the old family burying ground, 

five miles south of Lampasas.



He was preceded in death some two years by his devoted wife; also by an infant son many years ago, 

and a son, Leon, some six or seven years. He is survived by the following children:

.....L. E. ALEXANDER of Burnet,

.....G. W. ALEXANDER of Levelland, Texas

.....C. R. ALEXANDER and Clyde ALEXANDER of Trinidad, Colorado

.....Mrs. Fannie HARRIS of Gary, Indiana

.....Mrs. O. D. BAKER of Gause, Texas

.....Miss Kate ALEXANDER of Dallas

.....and Mrs. J. E. WOLF of Naruna.



All of his children present at burial except C. R. and Clyde. He is also survived by two 

sisters, Mrs. Eliza Mullins and Mrs. Lizzie Mostella of Lampasas.