Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-22

proved "aful. L left the station after
awhile, tried learning to be clerk in
a country store and later took posi-
tion in hotel in the same town. /
did the chores there and made myself
generally useful, receiving 81 month
and my board. [ remained in the
situation two months, sleeping IN a
bunk in the hotel Office, and the rail
road men, many of whom patrOnized
the hotel, used to play various tricks
on me and frequently blackened my
face while l slept.
FIRST BUYS A SILVER WATCH.
"When Ireceived my second months S
watch, and not long after traded it of
for one that proved TO be practically
worthless. / made up my mind to
earn enough for suit of clothes, and
became newSboy. In those days lit
was in 1879 the newSboy was expected
to sweep out the cars and to pass the
water can, in addition to his other
duties.
sit was not a very remunerative
position, the receipts from my sales
running from 81 per day down to %
cents. l remember that | made enough
to get a suit of clothes, and then !
quit and went back to the farm. |
liked railroading well enough and got
along we'll with the railroad men, but
he reason [ left was, as much as any
thing, that wanted to secure a better
education.
BOYS FORM A STUDENTS CLUB.
"My father did not want to send me
to school just then, but l had made up
my mind to it, and went to school
notwithstanding Several of us formed
l students club, and, hiring an attic
for quarters at Usage, got along very
veil without much cash. In the year
1876 my school work was interrupted
TO act as supply railway mail clerk
md, through illness Of the regular
clerk, l remained a year at that work.
''The story that | taught school
originated in fact, although [ was
never school teacher in the full
,-nse of the term. After left school,
entered bank at Usage and was
engaged there eight years. 1t was
during part of this time that gave
instructions in bookkeeping and pen
manship at night school. | was
considered good penman and pretty
good boOkkeeper. and the motive fol
taking the position was partly philan.
thrOpic, although received cOmpen.
sation enough to just about pay fOr
the shoe leather | wore out. When |
was %, my fathers family, including
several brothers, moved to Sonoma
county, California, and | made my
nome there until 1890, when came
TO Wisconsin. That is about all there
is to say, l think. My career in Wis.
;OnSin is recent history"
HE Is THOROUGH BANKER
Thus .modestly and quantity Mr..
Alexander talked about his forty-three
years Of life. He has for years been
we'll versed in financial matters, being
l thorough banker. He established
he Santa Rosa National bank at
santa Rosa, Cal. in 1881, with a
:apitll of 100000. This was after
i've years he was cashier OF the insti-
bank, which has grown with the
country, and has other extensive
interests in California, although his
residence has been in Wisconsin for
more than twelve years aud in Mil
yankee since 1895.
Mr. Alexander went into business
With his father-in-Iaw, the late John
Edwards of Port Edwards, Wood
county, in 1890 At that time paper
making in the Wisconsin River valley
was in its infancy. He saw the chance,
md under management of his associ-
.lteS and himself the business OF paper
there has expanded. He OWNS