The M. P. Alexander Family

By Florine Alexander Seymour

M. P. Alexander was born in Cherokee County on February 18, 1870. He attended both country schools and old Larissa College.

On September 28, 1896, he married Bernice Lewis. She was born in Arkansas on December 31, 1876. They lived in Mt. Selman and Bullard for a few years, where he was engaged in fruit growing.

They moved to Jacksonville in 1904, into a home on College Avenue, present site of Scurlock Center of Lon Morris College. In 1912, they bought the property where Alexander Collegiate Institute originally was located. They built their home there at 607 South Bonner Street, and lived in it until his death in 1959. Mrs. Alexander died in 1957. The home is owned and is being restored by Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Martin.

M. P. Alexander and his brothers established one of Jacksonville's early industries, the Jacksonville Crate and Basket Factory on West Larissa Street. Later he purchased the interest of his brothers and was joined by his son, Reginald, in the business. In 1934, they sold the factory and M. P. retired. Reginald operated factories in Carthage and Nashville, Arkansas. He now is retired and lives in Carthage.

A daughter, Florine, graduated from Jacksonville High School and attended The University of Texas. She received a B. A. degree from Trinity University in Waxahachie, and taught Spanish a year in Mineral Wells High School. In 1923, she and Marion Seymour were married. They lived in San Angelo, where their only son, Alex, was born, and in Midland, returning to Jacksonville in 1933. They operated the Liberty Hotel for many years.

The other daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Alexander, Berniece, graduated from Jacksonville High School and the University of Oklahoma, receiving a B. A. degree. In 1934, she married Alvin Childs, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Childs, who was associated with his father in the development of a chain of supermarkets in East Texas and Louisiana. They moved from Jacksonville to Shreveport when the firm headquarters were located there.

Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Alexander were active in the Presbyterian Church. He was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, served as a member of the School Board, was a president of Rotary Club and a director of Texas Bank & Trust Company.

Fishing and golfing were his favorite hobbies. Mrs. Alexander was known for her "green thumb" and spent hours in her flower garden, sharing with friends the flowers and plants.

It was natural for Mr. Alexander to talk very fast. A customer to whom he was talking on long distance telephone said, "Mr. Alexander, talk a little slower-I can't understand what you're saying." He replied, "You will just have to listen a little faster."

M. P. Alexander, pioneer fruit grower and basket manufacturer. Mrs. Bernice Lewis Alexander in a photo taken at age 20.

M. P. Alexander home at 607 South Bonner.