To the Readers of the Alabama Historical Quarterly: (The Alabama Historical Quarterly, Vol. 07, No. 03, Fall Issue 1945)
I am releasing another section. No. 3, of my article “Colbertians.” I hope it will be possible for me to add one more section but I am sure there will still be many interesting people whom I cannot include. In addition to those to .whom I expressed thanks in the preface (See No. 2 Vol. 7) I wish to acknowledge my appreciation to Mr. James Carloss of Elkmont; Mrs. J. F. Craig, Jasper; Mrs. William Malone and Mrs. W. D. Brotherton, Cherokee; Mrs. Emma Scruggs and Miss Mattie Guy, Tuscumbia; and there are probably others who deserve to be mentioned in this connection whom I cannot at this moment recall. Mr. Woodruff Delony gave me quite a bit of information. I was at his house on August 6, 1946, which incidentally, was his eighty-sixth birthday, and had a long conversation with him. Since then this venerable citizen of Leighton, has passed away. He was a son of Dr. Edward B, Delony. I hope to write more about the Delony family in some future issue of the Quarterly. Sept 4, 1946 R. L. JAMES
MRS. WM. B. ALEXANDER
BIOGRAPHY and GENEALOGY
(April 21, 1834 – May 24, 1894)
Colbert County, Alabama
“IN MEMORIAM Mary E. Alexander was born unto A. and Mary Jane Avery April 21st, 1834, and died at her home in Cherokee, Colbert County, Alabama, on May 24th, 1894, aged 61 years, 1 month and 3 days (60 years, is correct, instead of 61). Having returned from a short visit to see her daughter, Mrs. Erwin in Texas, she was taken seriously ill in two days after her arrival and passed away within eleven hours.
“Sister Alexander was married to Bro. W. B. Alexander, December 20, 1853. As a result of this union eight children were born, five of whom survive to cheer and comfort the father in his afflictions. Sister Alexander joined the Methodist church at Driskells Chapel in Lauderdale County, Alabama, and remained an unassuming, consistent member until her death. She was very modest and reserved yet, she was classed with the most faithful in her church. Possesed (sic) of superior industry and economy, she was a literal success financially. The heavenly blessings were richly upon her labors. Indeed she managed her affairs with much discretion. She had the confidence and esteem and friends and patrons. Her aim in life seemed to have been to make home the center of attraction for her children, and in this, success crowned her efforts. She was ever ready to respond to the calls of true charity and to support the institutions of her church. The writer of this never visited her home, if at all convenient, but that he was called upon to read the Scriptures and lead in prayer with the family. Those who knew her best loved her most. She is gone, yes, gone but not forgotten. ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow them” A. J. Maddox”
Cherokee, Ala. Aug. 26, )’94 (Will the Florence Times please copy?)”Mrs. Alexander’s obituary is from the North Alabamian for Aug. 31, 1894. Mrs. Alexander was a sister of Capt. Wm. Avery whom I have mentioned in connection with the O. H. Perry Williams family. She had other brothers and sisters, one being Mrs. Fannie E. Bell (1826-1901) wife of James Porter Bell (1818-1872) of Cherokee.
The husband, Wm. B. Alexander, was born Dec. 3, 1827 and died Sept. 19, 1906. He is said to have been of sterling character. Mr. Alexander, according to the account in the Tuscumbia Dispatch” for Sept. 22, 1906, left the following children: Mrs. (Dr.) C. W. Williams of Cherokee, at whose home he died; one son, Dr. J. F. Alexander of Blockton, Ala; and three other daughters, Mrs. Robert G. Malone of Arkansas; Mrs. W. G. Erwin of Texas; and Mrs. G. D. Hall of luka, Mississippi.
