J. P. Alexander Biography


	This biography appears on page 122 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				J. P. ALEXANDER.  

	J. P. Alexander is a member of the law firm of Hall, Alexander & 
Purdy of Brookings and as such has engaged in practice since 1912. He 
was admitted to the bar, however, in 1880 and has had continued 
experience in the field of his chosen profession since that time. He 
was born in Northfield, Minnesota, on the 9th of March, 1857, and is a 
son of John J. and Ann (Tollefson) Alexander, the former a native of 
the state of New York and the latter of Norway. Removing westward, the 
father established his home in Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1854 left 
that district to become a resident of Rice county, Minnesota, where he 
secured a homestead, upon which he lived until the time of his death, 
his labors being evidenced in the excellent appearance of the place, 
which he converted from a tract of wild land into richly productive 
fields. He was also a prominent factor in democratic circles in his 
part of the state and represented his district for two terms in the 
Minnesota legislature, aiding in shaping the policy of the state during 
that period. He died in 1891, at the age of fifty-eight years, while 
his wife survives at the age of seventy-nine years and resides in 
Northfield.  

	There were no unusual or spectacular phases to change the routine 
of home life for J. P. Alexander during the days of his boyhood and 
youth. He supplemented public-school studies by a course in Carleton 
College of Northfield, Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the 
class of 1877, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. At the age of 
twenty years he took up the study of law in the office of Morris 
Lamprey of St. Paul, and was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1880. 
Soon afterward he entered upon practice and has since continued active 
in the profession, making steady progress as the years have gone by. 
The same year in which he was admitted he was married and then opened a 
law office in Northfield, where he remained until 1885, when he removed 
to Groton, Dakota territory, now Brown county, South Dakota. There he 
remained for two years and then went to Elkton, where he was in active 
practice until 1912, when he came to Brookings and formed his present 
law partnership, being now a member of the firm of Hall, Alexander & 
Purdy. This firm enjoys a liberal share of the public patronage and its 
clientage is of a character that connects it with the most important 
litigation heard in the courts of the district.  

	Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Chamberlain, 
of High Forest, Minnesota, and to them have been born two children: 
John C., who is assistant freight auditor of the Soo lines at 
Minneapolis; and James G., cashier of the First State Bank of St. 
Peter, Minnesota.  

	Mr. Alexander has always given his political allegiance to the 
democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise 
and in 1890 he was elected county judge of Brookings county, serving 
upon the bench for two years. He belongs to Elkton Lodge, No. 57, F. & 
A. M., and to the Brookings Commercial Club. His wife is a member of 
the Presbyterian church and with Judge Alexander attends its services. 
They are well known citizens of Brookings and in a profession where 
advancement depends entirely upon individual merit Judge Alexander has 
made a creditable name and place for himself.