The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-02-11

are q source Oh HatiOuot piIue anu
prospcrity, rs well as of individual
enterprise and profit. Agriculture
can now Join her own achievements
with those Of commerce and manufac-
lures, as shown i'm these important
and successful results of the applica-
ton of pecuniary means and energy
TO the farm on its grandest plan. One
of the most noted of those who have
succeeded in this department Of bust
ness, is the self-made man whose bi.
ography is now related.
1T. Alexander, Esq, was born at
Wellsburg, West Virginia, in the year
1890. While he was still an infant,
his parents removed TO Stcubenvillc,
Ohio, where he resided until 1910,
when he went to Illinois. His occu.
patton at this time was driving cattle
for others to the older States. He
enjoyed little opportunity for the inn
provement of his mind, but he was
naturally endowed with clear, prac-
teal judgment, and an indomitable
energy. Consequently, though his
present position was very humble,
and he altogether lacked money and
credit, he determined to study every
point of the business, with the view
of some day operating on his own ac-
count.
Those who employed him found
him thoroughly reliable and energetic.
lie got over more ground in day,
without injury to his droves, than
other drivers: Inc surmounted difficult
ties with judgment and tact, and Ire
showed a perseverance and enterprise
at all times. These capabilities made
him favorite, and obtained for him
constant employ ment. He became an
expert judge of stock, and at length
commenced to buy and sell for him
self, in a small way. In this manner
he made his first gains, which, as they
increased, he invested in land i'm Nor
gan county, Illinois. Since that date
his success has been uninterrupted,
and he has gradually enlarged the
business Of farming and steck-raising,
until it is now conducted on a scale
Of most astonishing magnitude.
His carly farm i'm Morgan county
has been increased to about nine
thousand acres, mostly i'm one body,
on which he feeds annually large
amount of stock. This is his "Home
Place." where he resides with his
family, consisting of a wife and five
children. 1t is under high cultiva-
ton, AMI is not surpassed in beauty
and fertility by any other farm i'm the
West.
In August, 1866, he purchased what
is known as the Broadlands" farm,
i'm Champaign county, Illinois, with
its stock, fixtures, ETC., for the round
sum of three hundred thousand dol
lars. The tract then consisted of
twenty-three thousand five hundred
acres, but Mr.. Alexander has since
added to it, by other purchases, until
it has now reached the magnificent
proportions of twenty-six thousand
acres. 1t extends seven miles east
and west, and six miles north and
south. The land is gently rolling. A
row of Usage Ora:ee hedge extends
around the entire farm, and this is TO
be the only kind of fencing. The
main buildings, or headquarters"
diC anu dIC ola
sub-stations. A system of signals by
flags is used to communicate between
the different points. At each of these
stations is q force of eighteen TO
twenty men, under the charge of a
competent foreman, who has a given
number of acres under his charge,
and who is held responsible for the
faithful performance of the work.
There is male cook, and cook
ing, eating and lodging houses at
each station, and none Of the force
leave il during the week. The pres
ent force of the farm is about one
hundred and sixty men, mostly Scan-
dinavians. There is only one woman
on the farm. The average cost of
boarding the hands is thirty-fiye cents
per day.
Six thousand five hundred acres are
under cultivation. During the past
season five thousand acres were i'm
corn, four hundred i'm wheat, and the
remainder in other grains. The pres
ent stock comprises four thousand
head of grazing cattle, one hundred
and twenty yoke of work oxen, one
hundred head of horses, and about
five hundred hogs. The grazing steers
arc nearly all purchased i'm Texas and
brought to the farm to be fattened for
market. When the farm is all subdi-
vided, and fenced with the growing
hedges, Mr.. Alexander expects to ha, e
OH il from eight to ten thousand head
of cattle. The expenses of the farm,
for labor, provisions, ETC., amount TO
forty thousand dollars year, and the
profit is estimated at two hundred
thousand dollars. Ii is under the
management of Mr.. c. l.. Eaton, one
of the most intelligent and expert
cnccd farmers and stock-raisers of the
Western country.
Mr.. Alexander not only grazes
immense herds Oh his two farms, but
he is one of the largest purchasers of
cattle from others for shipment to the
Eastern markets. He fattens about
seven thousand cattle per annum Oh
his own farms, and his average ship
ments to New York, including his
own feeding and those purchased,
is about one thousand per week, rep
resenting an aggregate value of be-
tween three and four millions of dol
lars. All this vast business has been
the creation of his own we.l-grounded
plans and ceaseless energy.
Mr.. Alexander is Of tall stature, tc-
ing about six feet high, and rather
slender. lie has plain, modest, unas-
Stunning, farmer-like manners, and is
always pleasant and agreeable. The
cast of his head and features shows a
strong and resolute character, with
everything that is kind, generous and
honorable. He is simple i'm his hab-
It's. practical i'm all his views, and most
liberal and charitable i'm his DISPOSE
ton. lie possesses the esteem of all
who know him, and his strict integri-
" is such that his word is regarded
as good as his bond by his mel hbors
and bankers. Indeed, his success in
life is undoubtedly due, i'm great
measure, to his high integrity and fair
dealing with every ono, which have
given him the entire confidence of
all persons. His whole career has
exhibited him as animated by noble
and unconquerable resolution TO reach
the utmost extent and success in his
business. but never ut the sacrifice of
honor or manhood, by word or deed.
Faithful and honest as he trudged the
roads as the poor and humble driver
of cattle for other people, he has been
equally true TO principle and duty in
his day of prosperity and power. A
al. Goo