Alexander, James Irving 10.dec.1844-30.dec.1916 Pennsylvania, Fryburg - Wilkes-Barre
professor of music, bandmaster, cornetist, organist, pianist, cellist, he could go into a music store and play a tune on any instrument, Civil War veteran, 1853 aged 8 already played the violin, accompanying his father, a singer and singing teacher, on his tours, grew up in Fryburg where he July 1862 joined the 130th Pennsylvania Volunteers and took part in the great battles like Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, 1865 at the end of the war he settled in Pottsville where he was music teacher and organist of the Old Trinity Church, 1880 as professor of music residing at 112 Union Street in Pottsville, 1881-1887 bandmaster of the Third Brigade Band in Pottsville, 1887 moved to Wilkes-Barre, 1.sep.1887-12.jul.1894 bandmaster of the Ninth Regiment Band, he became one of the best known musicians and bandmasters in the eastern United States and made the band one of the leading of the country, 1894-1909 principal musician in the Ninth Regiment Band, 1894 from members of the Ninth Regiment Band he formed his own Alexander's Band and conducted it until 1909, 1900 as musician and bandmaster residing at 44 Mallory Place in Wilkes-Barre, 1909 he retired as bandmaster, 1895 for 17 years organist of the First Presbyterian Church and 2 years of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, he died at Wilkes-Barre City Hospital from complications 4 days after drowning while ice fishing at Harveys Lake where he had lived for some years at 'Knapsack' bungalow ; 1865 in Pottsville he married Maria Louisa Glassmyer (Wilkes-Barre 7.jan.1845-21.may.1918 Wilkes-Barre) ; son composer James Edgar Alexander