Judge William Alexander

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of Judge William Alexander. Born in 1814, in Scotland. That right there is where the story starts, an ocean and a continent away from the East Texas town where it would end.

By 1851, William Alexander had made his way to Palestine, Anderson County, and he put down roots that would hold for the rest of his life. He became a trustee in the first school there. A man who showed up and got to work.

Now, William Alexander was a lawyer, and not just any courthouse regular. He practiced before the Supreme Courts of Alabama and Texas. That's two states worth of high-court argument, and he earned his standing in both.

Along the way, he formed a law partnership with a man named John H. Reagan. You may know that name.

John H. Reagan would go on to serve as Postmaster-General of the Confederacy, and then as a U.S. Congressman, a U.S.

Senator, and a Railroad Commissioner. That was Alexander's partner. In 1857, William Alexander married Mrs.

Susan Scott Mallard, who was herself the widow of another one of his law partners. The law, it seems, ran through every chapter of this man's life. Together they had two daughters.

Then came 1860, and Anderson County called on Judge Alexander in a formal way. He served as Chief Justice of Anderson County from 1860 through 1865. Some of the hardest years this country has ever put on a calendar, and he held that post through all of them.

He died in Palestine in 1872, the same town he had chosen back in 1851. The marker was erected by Ruth R. Eppner, his granddaughter.

Scotland to Palestine, courtrooms to the chief justice's bench. William Alexander covered some ground.

What the marker says

Born 1814 in Scotland. Settled in Palestine 1851. Trustee in first school. Practiced in Supreme Courts, Alabama, Texas. Was a partner of John H. Reagan, C.S.A. Postmaster-General, U. S. Congressman, U. S. Senator, Railroad Commissioner. Married 1857 Mrs. Susan Scott Mallard, widow of another law partner. Had two daughters. Chief Justice, Anderson County, 1860-1865. Died in Palestine, 1872. Recorded, 1965 Incise in base: Erected by Ruth R. Eppner, Granddaughter