William Archibald "Arch" Alexander was my great great grand uncle.  He was the brother of my great great grandfather, John McClure Alexander, as well as the brother of Sally and Agnes Jane Alexander about whom I have posted or will post separately. His autograph above is from his parents' probate records (I have the complete set of 202 pages that I acquired years ago from the local county archives).

Arch was born in 1824 in Virginia and died in Missouri.  In 1829, he and his siblings and his parents, Nancy McCluer and  James Harvey Alexander, moved to Hannibal, St. Charles, Missouri, where his father farmed. Arch 's parents died in Missouri  and he was orphaned at the age of 12. Alexander B. Stuart, his uncle, was appointed his guardian and brought the children back to Virginia.

Arch studied law at Washington College, now Washington & Lee University.  He returned to St. Louis, was admitted to the bar, and began to practice law in the office of Hon. William M. Campbell (who, by the way, was the executor of Arch's father's estate).  

In 1861, Arch married Agnes Behrens, daughter of Dr. Henry and Bertha Behrens, of St. Charles. They had seven children, one of whom was Walter Alexander about whom I will post separately.

In Missouri, Arch was very successful.  He was elected Public Administrator and Commissioner of Public Schools; and, in 1870, Arch was chosen Mayor of the City of St. Charles.  A history of Pioneer Families of Missouri published in 1876 describes him this way: "He possesses a pleasant address, a fine flow of language, a handsome personal appearance, and is universally popular."