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MILTON ALEXANDER, vice president of the Central Trust Company of Altoona,
Pa., and long a prominent member of the Blair County bar, has been
prominently identified with public matters as well as with those pertaining
to his profession, in this section of Pennsylvania. He was born in
Williamsburg borough, Blair County, Pa., January 2, 1846, and is a son of
Robert and Mary (Rodkey) Alexander.
     The Alexander family is of Irish descent, the grandfather emigrating to
America in early days, and at the time of his death, in 1813, lived in Hart's
Log Valley, Huntingdon County, Pa. Of his children, Robert Alexander, father
of Milton, was born in Huntingdon County in 1805. In 1827 he became a
merchant at Williamsburg, Blair County, and resided there until 1874, when he
retired to Altoona, where he died in 1879. His wife, Mary Rodkey, who had been
born on the same day as himself, survived him for three years. They lived to
celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary.
     Milton Alexander was educated in the old Jefferson College at
Canonsburg, Washington County, and was a graduate of the class of 1866, from
Washington and Jefferson College, following its amalgamation. He prepared for
the practice of law with Attorney David Lawson, at Clarion, Pa., after which
he entered the Albany Law School, where he was graduated in 1869, and on June
26 of that year was admitted to the bar of Blair County. Mr. Alexander entered
into practice at Altoona and by 1871 had advanced so far in the confidence of
his fellow citizens that they elected him district attorney, in which office
he served with entire efficiency for three years. He then resumed his private
practice, in 1875 entering into partnership with H. H. Herr, an association
terminated in 1889 by the death of Mr. Herr. Mr. Alexander continued in
practice alone for a number of years and became one of the foremost members
of his profession in this section. He has been prominent also in other than
professional lines, having taken an active interest in public affairs.
Although he never consented to fill other than civic offices, he has always
given hearty and loyal support to the candidates of the Republican party in
state and nation. His business qualifications have been shown in his wise
investments in realty, and his public spirit in the encouragement he has
given many important movements tending to the material upbuilding of Altoona.
     In Lancaster he owns a magnificent residence, probably the finest one in
all Lancaster County. To a large degree Mr. Alexander has retired from active
business, although he still takes much interest in looking after his vast
amount of real estate in Altoona.
     Mr. Alexander was married September 10, 1872, to Miss Kate F. Martin,
whose father was a capitalist of Lancaster City. They have two children:
Ralph V. and Lillian M. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander attend the Lutheran church.
For a number of years he has been prominently connected with the order of the
Sons of America and has served the organization in the offices of State
president and treasurer.