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Image courtesy of IU Lilly Library.

Williamson Martin Alexander was born in Monroe County, IN on Dec. 19, 1836 to John H. Alexander and Margaret (Clark) Alexander both natives of Kentucky. John H. Alexander was engaged in farming and ran a tannery. He died in July 1855. Margaret Alexander was born on May 2, 1797 and died in Monroe County, In. on Feb 18, 1848.

Williamson was the youngest of four children. After his mother's death, he began work as a farm laborer for various farmers in Monroe County and working odd jobs. He later herded cattle in Iowa and Minnesota. Upon returning to Monroe County, he trained as a blacksmith and worked for Seaward & Sons in Bloomington, IN.

He mustered into the Union Army on Aug. 16, 1861 and was assigned to Company H, 18th Indiana Volunteers. He first served in the Western Theater of Missouri and Arkansas, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Black Water, Cotton Plant and Magnolia Hills. After this battle Williamson was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. Other battles include Champion Hills and Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Mustang Island, TX. and Fort Esperanza.

On August 1, 1863 he was sent to the Army of Virginia taking part in the battles of Richmond, Winchester, Fisher Hill, and Cedar Creek. After this battle he was promoted to 1st lieutenant. He was commissioned a captain on March 1, 1865. Williamson and his unit were mustered out of service on Aug, 28, 1865. Williamson returned to Bloomington, IN.

After the war Williamson continued his blacksmith practice, and owned a meat market. He was appointed as a deputy sheriff, a position he held until 1876, He then ran and was elected Monroe County sheriff, serving from 1876 -- 1880. During this time he also engaged in farming. He ran and was elected auditor in 1882 serving until 1886.

Williamson was a member of the Christian Church and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias men's fraternal organization in Bloomington. He rose to the Uniform Rank of colonel in the organization.

Williamson married Maacah Jenny Burch (born Dec. 13, 1842, died Dec. 26, 1869) on Sept. 19, 1868. One child was born April 27, 1869, died Dec. 3, 1880, known as Little Maggie. Williamson later married Eliza Jane (Sluss) Hoover (died Feb. 10, 1913) at the home of Williamson's brother and sister-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Alexander, Jan. 7, 1883. Eliza and Williamson were divorced on Dec. 27, 1894.

In his declining years, Williamson was cared for by his step son Fred Hoover (born 1852 to Eliza Jane and Samuel A. Hoover, died March 3, 1943). Fred and Josephine Hoover (born 1866 in Orleans, IN, married Fred Hoover June 28, 1884, died Aug. 17, 1935) had one son, Phillput (born Dec 19, 1890, died April 25, 1912 from tuberculosis while attending Indiana University). Phillput was engaged to Lillian Walls of Bedford, IN also an Indiana University student.

Upon his death, Fred Hoover left a half interest in his home to Lillian Walls. Williamson had bequeathed the property in the Alexander's First Addition on Atwater Street to Fred and Josephine to live in. Fred was cared for in his final year by police sergeant and Mrs. Charles Robinson, who received the other half interest in the Hoover property.

Williamson Martin Alexander's last will and testament was witnessed and signed on June 18, 1918 and probated on July 28, 1921. The will included the following bequests.

The amount of $500.00 for the erection of a monument on his grave in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, IN.

The amount of $100.00 to the Cemetery Association of Bloomington, IN.

The amount of $500.00 to the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, IN.

The amount of $1.00 to his nephew James Alexander, jr.

The amount of $1000.00 to his brother William J. (James) Alexander and his wife Elizabeth for their maintenance until their deaths.

His gold watch to his friend John P. Fowler, Monroe County Clerk.

The amount of $5000.00 to Josephine Hoover, the lots 1 and 2 in Alexander's First Addition. In addition she received all the household goods.

Item VIII.

I will and direct that my executor reduce the remainder of my estate not heretofore bequeathed to cash by the sale of both my personal property and any real estate that I may die seized of and out of the funds derived therefrom together with any funds that may be added thereto from any source cause to be erected a Monument to be known and marked as the Alexander Memorial Monument, erected in honor of and to the memory of all soldiers and sailors of any and all wars show have gone into the service of their country from Monroe County, Indiana.

I prefer that his monument be erected on the South Side of the Court House lawn near the South entrance thereto, if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the Board of Commissioners of Monroe County. And I ask that the Board of Commissioners of Monroe County be asked to donate whatever sum they may see fit to the fund for the erection of said monument.

And I further request that all soldiers of all wars, together with the friends of such soldiers be asked to contribute to such fund.

The monument was dedicated June 9, 1928.

From the memories of Fred Hoover:

Mr. Hoover was a relative by marriage to Capt. Jim Alexander, brother to Williamson, who performed valiant work in meeting the threat of the "fifth column" of Civil War years in the form of the Knights of the Golden Circle. After the war Capt. Jim Alexander gained local fame by "riding with the whitecaps" and his name comes down to the present generation of Monroe County people as the "best known" of the whitecappers who in their time did a job of stamping out the "gangsters" of that period who could not be reached by law.

Mr. Hoover rode into town from his and Williamson's home on east 10th Street on horseback the night the firebell rang after the whitecaps had stormed the local jail and shot Crook Mershon in his cell. Another night the ringing of the firebell, this time in 1883, brought Mr. Hoover galloping into town to see the main building of the "old college" on south College Ave go up in flames.

Mr. Hoover read the first copy of The Telephone when the newspaper was started in 1877 by Walter Bradfute as a weekly paper of the size of a business letterhead. In his later years Williamson and Fred and a half dozen other "old vets" would gather in the press room every afternoon, perch around the room on bundles of white paper and watch the papers go to press.