William Melville Alexander (Illinois politician) explained

William Melville Alexander was an American politician, physician, and land speculator active in Illinois.

In 1817, Alexander laid out a settlement on behalf of a Cincinnati-based land company. The settlement, America, Illinois, was envisioned as a major city and possibly even an inland capital for the United States. The ambitious goals of the project were never realized.[1] He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1820 and reelected in 1822.[2] In his second term, he was elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives by his colleagues.[3]

In the 1824 United States presidential election, Alexander was an elector pledged to William H. Crawford.[4] That same year, he ran for an appointment from the Illinois General Assembly to the United States Senate to succeed Ninian Edwards. Alexander lost to John McLean.[5]

After a series of failed land ventures in Illinois, he moved to the Southern United States where he died.[3] He is the namesake of Alexander County, Illinois.[6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Callary, Edward. Place Names of Illinois. October 2010 . September 12, 2022. University of Illinois Press. 9. Champaign, Illinois. 9780252090707.
  2. Book: Emmerson. Louis L.. Illinois Blue Book 1919-1920. Members of General Assembly 1818 to 1920 Inclusive. 1919 . State of Illinois. 525. September 12, 2022. https://books.google.com/books?id=HzY0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA525.
  3. Book: Redmond, Mary. Mr. Speaker: Presiding Officers of the Illinois House of Representatives 1818-1980. Office of the Speaker of the House. 1980. September 8, 2022.
  4. Web site: Philip J.. Lampi. Illinois 1824 Electoral College, District 3. January 11, 2012. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787-1825. Tufts University. September 13, 2022. February 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227231427/https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/02870w476.
  5. Meese. William A.. Nathaniel Pope. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 3. 4. 20. September 13, 2022. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913141838/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015030455110&view=1up&seq=9.
  6. Book: Callary, Edward. Place Names of Illinois. October 2010 . September 12, 2022. University of Illinois Press. 4. Champaign, Illinois. 9780252090707.
  7. Book: The American Counties: Origins of County Names, Dates of Creation, Area, and Population Data, 1950-2010. Curry Aiken. Charles. Kane. Joseph Nathan. 21 December 2012 . 5. 9780810887626. Rowman & Littlefield. Lanham, Maryland. September 12, 2022.

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