Dr. Elias Alexander, practicing veterinary in northeast Nebraska for more than half a century, died Saturday afternoon following a stroke of paralysis and complications due to advancing years. He was born March 10, 1861 at Streator, Illinois and died at his home in Royal, Nebraska, Feb. 2,1946, at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 2 days.
He was united in marriage May 7, 1882 to Miss Emma Clark at Webster City, Iowa, where they lived for 11 years when they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, which was their home for a number of years. From Yankton, Dr. Alexander and family moved to Bloomfield, Nebraska which was his home for 25 years. He then moved to Creighton, and lived 20 years.
Bereft of his parents at the age of nine, the deceased made his home with a sister until he was twelve when he struck out for himself, believing he was old enough to make it on his own. He found employment in a coal mine and doing odd jobs here and there, out of his meager earnings he bought books and went to school as the opportunity offered.
A love of animals influenced him to make a study of their needs, and he attended Ames college, Iowa, where he prepared for his life of a veterinary, which occupation he followed continuously until his death although he did not pratice extensively the past five or six years.
Dr. Alexander was also a gardener who was more than ordinary successful with the cultivation of plants achieving enviable results. He had the best kept garden in town. He took an interest in all projects for the good of the town and community and contributed generously thereto.
The religious organization to which he belonged held regular meetings at his home for the past ten years or more.
Of the eight children born to Dr. and Mrs. Alexander, six are living and all present at his bedside when death came. The children are: George, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; Charlie, of Mondale, Iowa; Harry, Hastings, Nebraska; Mrs. Sophia Hank, Ponca, Nebraska; Mrs. Lottie Russell, Mission, South Dakota; Mrs. Adeline Fritz, Omaha, Nebraska. There also remains 37 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, making a total of 67 descendants.
Dr. and Mrs. Alexander, observed their golden wedding anniversary in 1932. Had he lived until May 10 he would of been married 64 years.
Funeral services, conducted by Blanche Hartsock and Laverne Gounrets, were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the auditorium. Interment made in Bloomfield. Pallbearers were: A.C. Hopkins, Cliff Keetle, Henry Rheiner, Jess Clark, Albert Bartlett, Ed Hartsock. Hymns used were "Long My Eager Heart Was Yearing", and "A Little While to Bear The Cross."
Among the relatives from away in attendance at the funeral were: Mr.and Mrs. Henry Villarreal, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Alexander, Hastings; Mr. and Mrs. Dean Alexander and George Faber, Omaha.
Source: Orchard News Friday, Febuary 8, 1946
Contributor: Vicky Alexander Johnson, 606 Harold Street, Crofton, Nebraska
68730, djbigred@gpcom.net
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