W.R. ALEXANDER W. R. Alexander. practicing attorney of Mansfield. is a very successful lawyer, having early manifested ability in solving intricate legal problems, and he has remained a close student of the principles of jurisprudence. He was born in London county, Tennessee, on the 19th of April, 1860, a son of Samuel L. and Elizabeth (Lock~ hart) Alexander. The father was a minister. He was born in Tennessee and resided in that state until 1870 when he came to Arkansas and located in Sebastian county, near Hackett. He held various charges throughout the state and was active in the ministry at the time of his death on the 3d of July, 1911. He was likewise a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout that conflict in the Confederate army. W. R. Alexander was one of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, one beside himself still living. His brother, Samuel B. Alexander, is conducting a tire shop in Mansfield. In the acquirement of an education W. R. Alexander attended the common schools of Arkansas and later enrolled in Trinity University at Tehuacana, Texas. By that time Mr. Alexander had decided to take up the legal profession as his life work and as a result he entered the law department of the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, receiving his LL. B. degree in 1890. In 1890 he located in Mansfield, this state, where he commenced practice and he has met with great success. He has built up an extensive and lucrative clientage and his present prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized ability. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law, also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. Mr. Alexander was elected to the mayoralty of Mansfield and although offered that position five times, declined to serve more than three terms. During his administration in that office much was done for the development and improvement of the community and he will be remembered as one of the most representative executives the town has ever had. In 1890 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Alexander to Miss Ella Lippard, a daughter of Aaron Lippard of Mansfield and to their union three children have been born, two of whom are living, Ruth U. and Lois A. Fraternally Mr. Alexander belongs to the Masons and he endeavors in every way to live up to the teachings of that craft. in the line of his profession he belongs to the State Bar Association and takes an active part in the interests of that body. Mr. Alexander is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. A strong mentality, an invincible courage, and a. most determined individuality have so entered into his makeup as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion.