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Milton C Alexander (1847 - 1914)

Milton C Alexander
Born in Cass, Illinois, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of DNA confirmed and
Brother of , , [half], [half], [half], [half] and [half]
Husband of — married 8 Dec 1867 in Beardstown, Cass, Illinois, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , and
Died at age 67 in Belle Fourche, Butte, South Dakota, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 26 Nov 2019
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Contents

Biography

This profile is part of the Forsyth Name Study.

Birth and parents

Milton C. Alexander was born on February 26, 1847, in Cass County, Illinois.[1] As to the identity of Milton's parents, evidence indicates that there was a misattributed parentage event in Milton's line. U.S. federal census records for 1850[2] and 1860[3] imply that Milton's parents were Joshua C. Alexander, Jr. and Nancy Black Alexander, because he was listed as living with them. This parentage relationship agrees with a document in the probate record for Joshua C. Alexander, Jr., dated February 2, 1852, and signed by Nancy Alexander, which lists Milton among the minor heirs of Joshua Alexander.[4] However, a published analysis of both autosomal DNA and Y-DNA inheritance patterns[5] indicates that Milton's father was actually Charles Forsyth and that his mother was Martha Jane Alexander, the oldest daughter of Joshua and Nancy Alexander.

Evidence of a non-parental event in the line of Milton C. Alexander.

At the time of Milton's birth, Martha Jane was about 15 years old[6] and unmarried, so it seems appropriate that Milton would have been raised by his grandparents, Joshua and Nancy Alexander, and given the surname "Alexander, "as the census records indicate. It is apparent, though, that Charles Forsyth and Martha Jane Alexander continued to maintain their close relationship. A little more than a year after Milton's birth, they were married by a justice of the peace in Clark County, Missouri.[7] They were evidently taking advantage of the less stringent marriage laws in that state.[8]

The autosomal DNA matches between descendants of Milton Alexander and descendants of Charles Forsyth[5] are consistent with the conclusion that Milton's full siblings were Willis Henry Forsyth and Reuben A. Forsyth, who were sons of Charles Forsyth and Martha Jane Alexander. Milton also had several half siblings who were the children of Charles Forsyth and his second wife, Salinda Sarah Shurtz, whom Charles had married in 1858[9] after the death of Martha Jane in 1852.[4] Milton's half-siblings were George Franklin Forsythe, Nevada Forsythe, Cora Bell Forsythe, Mary Emily Forsythe, and Richard Valett Forsythe.

Marriage and children

Milton Alexander married Francis Caroline Ross, a daughter of Ossian M. Ross and Amanda C. Hammer, in Cass County, Illinois, on December 8, 1867.[10] Milton was 20 years old and Francis was 18. The two seem to have been well acquainted. Both had been living in Beardstown, Illinois, prior to their marriage and both had attended school there.[3][11] Moreover, in 1865, two years prior to their marriage, Milton and Francis were living next door to each other with their respective families.[12]

Marriage license for Milton and Francis Alexander.

Milton and Francis had five children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. In order of birth, the children were Hattie Jennie Alexander, Charles Newton Alexander, Nancy May Alexander, Kathryn Ethel Alexander, and Nellie A. Alexander. All were born in Missouri. Hattie Jennie was born in Cass County,[13] and the other children were born in Atchison County.[14][15][16][17]

The Missouri years

Milton and Francis Alexander moved from Illinois to western Missouri sometime between their marriage date (December 8, 1867) and the date of the birth of their first child (October 2, 1868). Milton and Francis do not appear in any of the U.S. federal census records for 1870, but the Missouri state census of 1876 lists the couple as living in Atchison County, Missouri, along with four children (Hattie, Charles, Nancy, and Kathryn).[18] Living nearby to Milton and family in the 1876 Missouri state census was Francis' father, Ossian M. Ross, together with Ossian's second wife, Amanda Lee and five of their eight children (Ossian's first wife, Amanda Hammer [Francis' mother], had died on March 8, 1854).[19]

Ossian and his family had moved from Beardstown to Atchison County sometime between the 1865 Illinois state census[12] and the 1870 U.S. federal census,[20] so it seems likely that Milton and his family had moved there within the same time frame. The 1880 U.S. federal census record for Nishnabotna Township in Atchison County includes both Milton Alexander and his family[21] and Ossian Ross and his family.[22] Like the majority of their neighbors, Milton and Ossian were both listed as farmers in the census record.

Sadly, Francis died on March 5, 1881, at the age of 32. Her death occurred at her home near Watson, Atchison County, following surgery for an ovarian tumor.[23] She was interred in High Creek Cemetery in Rock Port, Missouri.[24] Her grave is next to that of her daughter, Nellie, who had died not quite two years earlier, at the age of 10 months.[17]

Life as a widower

From Missouri to Nebraska

In the spring of 1889, Milton left Missouri and headed to northwest Nebraska,[25] where he leased educational land south of Chadron in Dawes County.[26] The land that Milton leased was public land that had been set aside by Nebraska's Board of Educational Lands and Funds to be leased for agricultural and other purposes in order to support public education.[27] It seems possible that Milton was drawn to Nebraska because of family connections. Francis' sister Harriet Ross and her husband, Isaac N. Broyles, as well as Francis' half-brother, Leonard Ross, had moved to nearby Kimball County in 1886.[28] Further information about Milton's life in Nebraska during this time is scarce, due in large part to the unavailability of U.S. census records for 1890.[29]

Nevertheless, Nebraska marriage records indicate that Milton's three surviving daughters, Hattie, Nancy, and Kathryn, traveled with Milton to Dawes County. The wedding of Hattie to William L. Roberts was held at Milton's house in Dawes County on December 24, 1890, with Nancy Alexander, Hattie's younger sister, as a witness.[30] On August 5, 1893, Kathryn married Enoch Evan Wilson in Kimball County, where her aunt, Harriett Broyles, was living.[31] Nancy married Joseph L. Vandeveer in Dawes County on October 22, 1894.[32] Milton's son, Charles, did not join Milton and his daughters in Nebraska, however, but instead he traveled to Custer, South Dakota in the late 1880s, where he worked as a teamster, hauling lumber for a sawmill.[33]

From Nebraska to South Dakota

Seth Bullock, 1893.

In 1892, Milton left Nebraska and joined his son, Charles, in Custer. In 1895, Charles married Eva Melissa Crofford in Custer,[34] and over the next few years, Milton lived with Charles and his family, which ultimately included five children. In Custer, Milton worked variously as a day laborer,[35] a teamster,[36] and a farmer.[37]

By 1910, Milton had moved with Charles and his family to Belle Fourche, South Dakota.[37] Here, Charles leased property on a ranch that was owned by Seth Bullock,[38] who is well-known for serving as sheriff of Deadwood, South Dakota.[39] Bullock was also a prominent businessman and rancher, and the land leased by Charles Alexander was located on Bullock's Redwater Ranch.[38] The crop cultivated by the Alexanders was alfalfa,[40] which had been introduced to South Dakota by Seth Bullock in 1881.[39]

An alfalfa field in South Dakota circa 1912.

Death and interment

Grave marker for Milton C. Alexander.

Milton Alexander died on the Bullock ranch on July 8, 1914, at the age of 67 years.[1] He lost his life as a result of a rather grisly farming accident. According to newspaper accounts,[40][38] Milton was driving a hay rake in an alfalfa field on the Redwater Ranch when the horses bolted. He fell from his seat and was thrown in front of the teeth of the rake, which impaled him. The official cause of death was a "fract[ure] at base of brain."[1] The accident, which was witnessed by Milton's grandson, Clarence Alexander, among others, happened at about 3 P.M. on July 7, and Milton died at about 1:30 A.M. on July 8, never having regained consciousness. He was interred in Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.[41] According to the funeral record, Seth Bullock paid Milton's funeral expenses, which totalled $133.[42]

The information on Milton's death certificate was provided by his son, Charles, but there are errors and omissions on the form. The entry for "mother" on the death certificate is "Francis Ross," but Francis Ross was Milton's wife, not his mother. Presumably, Charles was confused and entered his own mother's name. The "name of father" and "birthplace of father" are marked as "unknown" on the form. Apparently, Charles did not know the identity of his paternal grandfather. It is not clear whether Milton himself knew that his biological father was Charles Forsyth. It is worth noting. however, that "Milton" was the middle name of Charles Forsyth's older brother John Milton Forsyth. Moreover, Milton Alexander named his only son "Charles." So, perhaps Milton did know his paternal lineage, after all.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Standard Certificate of Death for Physicians." Belle Fourche, Butte, South Dakota, July 9, 1914. Document obtained by Kenneth Alexander from the personal effects of Ruth Jennings.
  2. ↑ "1850 United States Federal Census", The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Cass, Illinois; Roll: 99; Page: 20b; Line Number: 28, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #19082540
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "1860 United States Federal Census", The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Beardstown, Cass, Illinois; Roll: M653_160; Page: 185; Family History Library Film: 803160, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #37342155
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cass County, Illinois, Estate Papers of Joshua C. Alexander, Nancy Alexander, Administrator, County Court in Probate, Beardstown, Illinois, October 23, 1851. Kenneth Alexander has a copy and will scan the pages on request.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Alexander, Kenneth Ross. "Surname Surprise: A Non-Paternal Event Revealed by DNA Analysis." Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 50, Number 3, Fall 2018, p. 173.
  6. ↑ "1850 United States Federal Census", The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Cass, Illinois; Roll: 99; Page: 21b; Line Number: 42, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #19082638
  7. ↑ "Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002", Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm], Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1171 #9386990
  8. ↑ Suntrap, Jack. "Missouri is known as a haven for child marriages. A new law aims to change that." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 13, 2018. Accessed 12 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Illinois, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900", Original data: Jordan Dodd and Liahona Research, comp.. Illinois, Marriages, 1851-1900. Index compiled from county marriage records on microfilm located at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah by Jordan Dodd of Liahona Research (P.O. Box 740, Orem, Utah 84059). Specific source information is listed with each entry, Ancestry Record 7857 #192663
  10. ↑ "Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920", Original data: Illinois State Marriage Records. Online index. Illinois State Public Record Offices, Ancestry Record 60984 #577266
  11. ↑ "1860 United States Federal Census", The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Beardstown, Cass, Illinois; Roll: M653_160; Page: 274; Family History Library Film: 803160, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #36549990
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Illinois, U.S., State Census Collection, 1825-1865", Illinois State Archives; Springfield, Illinois; Illinois State Census, 1865; Archive Collection Number: 103.010; Roll Number: 2171; Line: 10, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1079 #536394
  13. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #146940574, Memorial page for Hattie Jennie Alexander Roberts (2 Oct 1868-27 Nov 1929), citing Riverview Cemetery, Scandia, Republic County, Kansas, USA.
  14. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #140412378, Memorial page for Charles Newton Alexander (12 May 1871-9 Feb 1951), citing Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario, San Bernardino County, California, USA.
  15. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #86278549, Memorial page for Nancy May “Nannie” Alexander Vandeveer (11 Jan 1873-4 Feb 1926), citing Courtland Cemetery, Courtland, Republic County, Kansas, USA.
  16. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #40237548, Memorial page for Kathryn Ethel Alexander Wilson (9 Jun 1876-4 Apr 1954), citing Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #53604568, Memorial page for Nellie A. Alexander (24 Aug 1878-15 Jul 1879), citing High Creek Cemetery, Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, USA.
  18. ↑ "Missouri, U.S., State Census Collection, 1844-1881", Year: 1910; Census Place: Atchison, Missouri; Roll: MOSC_10714, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1024 #174487
  19. ↑ Gridley, James Norman. Historical Sketches. Virginia, IL: Virginia Enquirer, 1907. Volume 1, p. 318.
  20. ↑ "1870 United States Federal Census", Year: 1870; Census Place: Nishnabotna, Atchison, Missouri; Roll: M593_756; Page: 431B, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #4505708
  21. ↑ "1880 United States Federal Census", Year: 1880; Census Place: Nishnabotona, Atchison, Missouri; Roll: 671; Page: 401d; Enumeration District: 007, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #48270670
  22. ↑ "1880 United States Federal Census", Year: 1880; Census Place: Nishnabotona, Atchison, Missouri; Roll: 671; Page: 402b; Enumeration District: 007, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #48270793
  23. ↑ "Newspapers.com", The Atchison County Mail (Rock Port, Missouri) Thu, Mar 10, 1881, page 3, Newspapers Clip: 150237614
  24. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #53604474, Memorial page for Francis Caroline Ross Alexander (4 May 1848-5 Mar 1881), citing High Creek Cemetery, Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, USA.
  25. ↑ "Newspapers.com", The Atchison County Journal (Rock Port, Missouri) Thu, May 2, 1889, page 5, Newspapers Clip: 150237468
  26. ↑ "Newspapers.com", Chadron Record (Chadron, Nebraska) Fri, Jun 10, 1892, page 4, Newspapers Clip: 150240733
  27. ↑ History. Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds Accessed 1 Jul 2024.
  28. ↑ "Newspapers.com", Kimball Observer (Kimball, Nebraska) Fri, Apr 9, 1886, page 3, Newspapers Clip: 150189440
  29. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Availability of 1890 Census." Accessed 17 February 2021.
  30. ↑ "Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908", State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska, Marriage Records, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61335 #1350207317
  31. ↑ "Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908", State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska, Marriage Records, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61335 #900071102
  32. ↑ "Nebraska, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1855-1908", State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska, Marriage Records, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61335 #900207644
  33. ↑ Sarsfield, Olive Whitehead. Personal recollection, as told to Michael Kusick. Notes in the possession of Kenneth Alexander.
  34. ↑ "South Dakota Marriage License." Document obtained by Kenneth Alexander from the personal effects of Ruth Jennings.
  35. ↑ "1900 United States Federal Census", Year: 1900; Census Place: School District 22, Custer, South Dakota; Roll: 1548; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0014, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7602 #59701734
  36. ↑ "Cora Township. Census", > image 242 of 3,996, FamilySearch Image: S3HT-65B3-RXY
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "1910 United States Federal Census", Year: 1910; Census Place: Belle Fourche Ward 3, Butte, South Dakota; Roll: T624_1477; Page: 14a; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1375490, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #170625229
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 "Newspapers.com", The Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times (Deadwood, South Dakota) Fri, Jul 10, 1914, page 1, Newspapers Clip: 28908429
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Wolff, David A. Seth Bullock: Black Hills Lawman. Pierre, SD: South Dakota State Historical Society Press, 2009.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Newspapers.com", The Mitchell Capital (Mitchell, South Dakota) Thu, Jul 16, 1914, page 2, Newspapers Clip: 28938971
  41. ↑ "Find a Grave", Find A Grave: Memorial #37093821, Memorial page for Milton C. Alexander (26 Feb 1847-8 Jul 1914), citing Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, Butte County, South Dakota, USA.
  42. ↑ Funeral record, Frost and Sons Funeral Home. A photocopy of the record is currently in the possession of Kenneth Alexander.




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Images: 7
Death Certificate for Milton C. Alexander
Death Certificate for Milton C. Alexander
Newspaper account of the death of Milton C. Alexander (the identity of the newspaper is unknown)
Newspaper account of the death of Milton C. Alexander (the identity of the newspaper is unknown)
Grave marker for Milton C. Alexander
Grave marker for Milton C. Alexander
Funeral record for Milton C. Alexander with cash payments from Seth Bullock
Funeral record for Milton C. Alexander with cash payments from Seth Bullock
Evidence of a non-parental event in the line of Milton C. Alexander
Evidence of a non-parental event in the line of Milton C. Alexander
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Categories: Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, South Dakota | Forsyth Name Study