Published in The Garland Daily News on November 16, 1980, as part of a series by Betty Roberts
THE J.D. ALEXANDER FAMILY
James Douglas Alexander was born near Russellville, Alabama, in 1850. He married Nannie Arnold, whose family lived in the same area. They moved to the Garland area in 1881.
Other members of his family also moved to Texas. His mother, Mrs. S.E. Alexander, and a sister, Mrs. Annie Smallwood, lived in Garland. Another sister, Mrs. Willie Weaver, and a brother, John, lived in Fort Worth.
For a number of years J.D. was a justice of the peace in Garland. He also taught school for several years. He was well known in Garland for being a man of conviction and standing up for his beliefs.
The last years of his life were spent working for the Woodmen of the World. He was well known in the state and nation as a representative for the Woodmen.
J. D died in 1920. He was survived by his wife and seven children. Mrs. Alexander died several years later. Their two daughters were Dora (Talley) and Lena (Shugart) of Garland.
William Eugene moved to Fort Worth. He was county treasurer for many years. Ernest moved to Dallas. One son, Joe, became a doctor. He was practicing in Fort Worth when World War I started. He enlisted in the British Army in 1916. He later resigned and enlisted in the United States Army. He set up practice in Dallas after the war.
James Arthur owned Alexander’s Men’s Store in Garland for many years. It was located on the Square where Cole & Davis is now (1980). He served as mayor of Garland in 1936-1940. He later moved to Sherman.
George Arnold Alexander was born February 2, 1883. He married Minnie Myrtle Capps on September 3, 1900. Minnie was the daughter of B.F. Capps who had brought his family to Garland in the early 1880s.
George’s first job was as an agent for the MKT railroad. In 1909 he opened an insurance agency on the corner of what is now Sixth Street and Garland Avenue. The business was later sold to C. M. Brown.
George was head of almost every movement for charity and public improvement. During World War I he sold Liberty Bonds and Red Cross subscriptions. He made a record for the town, city and state by raising $10,000 in a very short time.
He was elected mayor of Garland in 1918. He was principally responsible for organizing Garland Building & Loan. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner, a member of Odd Fellows and the First Baptist Church.
George died in November, 1916. The people of Garland turned out in such number that only half could get into the church. The other half stood outside during the service.
George was survived by his wife and eleven children. Their sons were Ben, Weaver, Harry, George A., Burk, Ted, Bill, Gene and Joe. Their daughters were Dora (Farquhar) and Dolly (Morris),
Two sons, Bill and George, still live in Garland. For many years George also had an insurance agency in downtown Garland. It was next door to the building where his father’s agency had been located. Gene lives in Omaha. Dora also lives in Garland.
The descendants of James Douglas Alexander, once so numerous in the area, have almost disappeared. He has three grandchildren in Garland and one in Dallas. Their children and grandchildren are scattered in many areas.