James H. Alexander
Uncle Jim" Neared the Century Mark
J. H. Alexander, Old Resident, Passes Away After Long and Useful Life
Saw Halley's Twice
Born Before Battle of New Orleans and Lived Before Telephone was Invented
J. H. "Uncle Jim" Alexander, nearly 97 years old, one of the oldest residents of Arkansas and the only man in this state who saw Halley's comet twice, died yesterday morning at his home, No. 603 West Fourth avenue, following an accident which befell him on December 24, 1910, when he fell, injuring his left hip. Previous to that time Mr. Alexander enjoyed excellent health, retaining all of his faculties an even up to the time of his death his mind was clear and his memory exceptional.
"Uncle Jim" Alexander's death was not unexpected, although he had shown improvement and was able to sit up in bed for several days previous to the end. For some days following his fall he was unable to stand or walk, but sat up in bed much of the time. He seemed to be doing well when a few days ago he suffered a sinking spell and died yesterday morning at 730 o'clock, after everything possible was done for him.
The deceased was considered the most remarkable man in this city or section. Despite his advanced age he was active and hardly a day passed that he was not downtown, mixing with friends and discussing many incidents of nearly a century ago, while living in Mississippi, and last year, when it made its return to the Heavens, "Uncle Jim" viewed it with great interest from his front porch on Laurel street and his story of excitement caused by the visit of the comet seventy-five years ago, was most interesting. Mr. Alexander witnessed many great accomplishments during his day. He lived before the telephone was known and saw the steam engine introduced. He was a man of fine disposition and jovial nature and was loved and respected by the little boys and girls as well as his old comrades and companions of early days.
He was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee, October 25, 1814, the year before the Battle of New Orleans. He married Miss Mary Elizabeth Pryor - September 14, 1837. She died July 14, 1887 just two weeks before their golden wedding anniversary. In 1838 he moved to Mississippi, where he was a planter for many years. A few years after his wife's death he came to Pine Bluff, where he lived until his death. Thirteen children composed the original family circle in the Alexander home, but only three survive their aged parent. They are G. P. Alexander, of Memphis; Mrs. Olivia L. Cocke and V. O. Alexander, of this city. There are a great many grandchildren and great grandchildren living in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and California.
Mr. Alexander was a life long member of the First Presbyterian church.
The funeral will take place from the residence of his son, V. O. Alexander, No. 603 West Fourth avenue, this afternoon at 330 o'clock. The services will be conducted by Rev. J. I. Norris, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church. The active pallbearers will be C. M. Philpot, Robert Finley, J. C. Chesnutt, C. H. Triplett, Jr., S. F. Hilzheim, A. W. Nunn, J. H. Jordan and Eugene Ellsberry. The honorary pallbearers are J. W. Crawford, Fred Fox, S. C. Alexander, H. G. Higinbotham, R. D. McGaughy, J. H. Mann, J. H. Eddins, W. D. Vance, S. D. Wilson and J. H. Tucker.
unknown paper, July 31, 1911
Remarkable Life of J. H. Alexander
The funeral of James H. Alexander, the aged father of V. O. Alexander, who died at his home here Saturday morning at 7 o'clock, was conducted form the home of V. O. Alexander at Fourth and Laurel streets Sunday afternoon at 330 o'clock by Dr. J. I. Norris, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of which the deceased was a member and regular attendant. The funeral was largely attended by prominent gentlemen and ladies of the city as "Uncle Jimmie," as he was familiarly known, was popular throughout the city and revered by all who knew him.
Mr. Alexander would have been 97 years old next October. He received considerable notice last year when he made an effort to organize a club of all people in this county who remembered seeing Halley's comet seventy-five years before, but after a fruitless search he found no one to join him and he composed the entire membership of the comet club. He looked forward to the second appearance of the comet with great interest and although he sat up several nights he was unable to see the comet last year on account of his failing eyesight.
Dr. Norris paid a beautiful tribute to the deceased at the funeral service. He spoke of him as a remarkable character and said he had lived long enough to have seen all the presidents of the United States, with one exception; had seen the introduction of practically every invention which the made the century noted for advancement; had lived when the railroad train was much a marvel as the airship now is, and had watched the development of these inventions. Dr. Norris spoke of the regularity of Mr. Alexander's attendance at church service, saying he was always in his accustomed pew regardless of weather conditions and spoke of this as one of the most interesting features of his ministry. He called him the patriarch of the congregation and said he had been honored in his age as a result of his long and faithful service.
Pine Bluff Commercial, July 31, 1911
