Alexander G. English

ALEXANDER G. ENGLISH was one of the men actively identified with the founding of the Macksville State Bank more than a quarter of a century ago, and has since given that institution the best of his energies and judgment, and he has the distinction of being associated with what is regarded today as one of the strongest and most successful banks in Western Kansas.

Mr. English was born in Allegheny City, now a part of greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1865. His forefathers were Welsh and Irish who came to Pennsylvania in colonial times. His father, William T. English, was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, grew up and married there, and for many years was a mechanic at Allegheny City. He served for a time as a Union soldier in the Civil war. At the age of thirty-five he moved to south central Ohio, and in 1885 came to Stafford County, Kansas, and homesteaded a quarter section of land near Macksville. That homestead was his place of residence and scene of activities until he retired, and he is now living at Macksville. He is a republican and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William T. English married Sarah Jane Davis, who was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1840. Their children were: James B., a retired farmer and early settler at Cimarron, Kansas; Alexander C. English; D. S. English, a farmer in Edwards County, Kansas; J. G. English, a merchant and lumber dealer at Macksville, also a large land owner, and now living practically retired; and Belle, wife of Walter Welch, a farmer and stockman and automobile dealer at Macksville.

Alexander G. English was a small boy when his parents moved to Ohio, and he gained his education chiefly in the rural schools of that state. In February, 1885, he arrived in Kansas, and was one of the first blacksmiths to set up a shop at Macksville, a town founded about that time. He continued to follow his trade until 1893. In the meantime his influence and means had been growing, and in 1892 he helped organize the Macksville State Bank. He took the position of cashier and since 1900 has been its president. This bank has a capital of $25,000, surplus of $55,000, and while its management has always been conservative it has actively supported every legitimate financial enterprise in that section of Stafford County. Besides Mr. English as president, the vice president is A. Aitken, and the cashier is John H. McMorran.

Mr. English is one of the large land owners in Western Kansas, having farms aggregating 2,100 acres in Stafford, Edwards, Ford and Grant counties. He is a republican and n member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1888, at Macksville, he married Miss Flora McMorran, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Teats) McMorran. Her father was an early day farmer in Stafford County and is now deceased. Her mother lives at Macksville. Mr. and Mrs. English have two daughters: Leila, a graduate of the Macksville High School and of the Conservatory of Music at Winfield, Kansas, and is a skilled musician, both vocal and instrumental. The younger daughter, Lois, was born May 3, 1909, and is a school girl.

Pages 2411-2412.