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N. C. ALEXANDER, farmer, P. 0. Mt. Vernon, was born January 20, 1830, in Carroll County, Ohio,. He is a son of David  Alexander, born 1789, in Delaware.  He was  also a farmer.  When a young man he moved to Ross County,  Ohio, where he was married..  He finally moved to Carroll County, and then in 1830 he came to Wayne County, Ill., and died here in 1845.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the surrender of Hull's army. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; his name was Philip Alexander. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Cunningham) Alexander, was born 1797, in Virginia. She died 1861, in this county.  She was a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Morris) Cunningham. Nicholas Cunningham fought seven years in the Revolutionary war under George Washington, as his commander, participating in many thrilling scenes and famous battles. Mrs. Elizabeth Alexander was the mother of  ten children, of whom seven are now living, viz. : Maria Shaeffer, Rebecca Brown, Elizabeth Clark,  Nicholas C.,  our subject; David, a farmer in Ohio; and John and Joseph, now residents of Fairfield. Our subject was educated in Ohio and in Wayne County, Ill. He has been a practical farmer all his life, and now owns a farm of 180 acres of fine land near Fairfield, with good improvements.  He was joined in matrimony here January 23, 1851, to Jane Austen, born September 19, 1832, in England.  Her parents, James and Mary (Hill) Austen, were both natives of Old England. Five children, who are now living, have come to bless this happy union, viz.: Mary, born August 20, 1854, wife of William Head;  Bell born September 22, 1860, wife of H. F. Murphy; Bertha J., born January 1, 1866; Nicholas H., born July 4, 1868; and Zerilda, born June 22, 1872.  Besides these Mr. Alexander and his estimable wife are rearing three little grandchildren, viz.: John B.,  James C. and Elizabeth J.  Their father, James Alexander, died in  October, 1881, and their mother, Martha A. (Trousdale) Alexander, died in November, 1881.  Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  He has held school offices, and been Township Supervisor. In political affairs, he is a Democrat.