The Alex family of Albany descend from the ancient Alex family of Saxon-Weimar, Germany, where they have been prominent for many years. The family held a good position in the principality, where they were persons of wealth and held high governmental and judicial positions.
(I) Karl Alex was born in Saxon-Weimar, Germany, about 1780. He owned land and a mill site where he had a flouring mill which he operated until incapacitated by old age. A brother of Karl Alex was a magistrate of an upper court, a corresponding title in the United States to judge of the supreme court. The wife of Karl Alex was a native of the same province. They both died in Germany, where they always lived.
(II) Nicholas, son of Karl Alex, was born in Saxon-Weimar, Germany, in 1812, died in Albany, June 19, 1875. He was educated in the German schools, and on arriving at a suitable age was taken into the mill and taught the miller's trade by his father. After mastering the trade, as then carried on, he left home and worked for two years in mills in different parts of Germany. He was drawn for service in the German army and continued in the army until the revolution of 1847, when being strongly in sympathy with the revolutionists, he escaped from the army and took ship for Liverpool, England. From there he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, going from there to Albany, New York, where he resided the remainder of his life. He was a man of large and portly figure, well known and liked among the Germans of Albany. He was prominent in their social, musical and fraternal societies, and in the Lutheran church. He was a Republican in politics. He married (first) in Albany, ———— Suffers, a sister of Captain Suffers, of Kingston, Pennsylvania. She bore him children: Gustav, Louis and Caroline, all of whom married and have families. He married (second) Elizabeth Wolbert, born in Saxon-Weimar, died in Albany, December 19, 1875. She was a member of the Roman Catholic church. Children, all born in Albany, New York:
- Catherine, resides in Oakland, California, unmarried.
- Frederick, a retired ice dealer of Albany; married Mary Mink, and has Mary, Elizabeth and John.
- Margaret, deceased; was twice married and left issue.
- John F., see forward.
- Jacob, an ice dealer of Albany; married Agnes McKean and has a daughter Margaret.
- Elizabeth, married Peter Anton, and resides in Oakland, California.
(III) John F., son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Wolbert) Alex, was born November 18, 1859. He was educated in the Albany schools. He learned the trade of blacksmith and wagonmaker. After working as a journeyman for several years, he established a shop and factory of his own, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time (1910). The plant is a substantial one and has given employment to a large number of men in the making and repairing departments. Mr. Alex is a skilled mechanic and has always been noted for the excellent grade of work turned out of his factory. He inherits his father's large, portly figure and genial, social disposition that has gained him a wide circle of friends. He is a liberal thinker, Republican in politics, and while diligent and careful in business, takes a deep enjoyment in the lighter side of life. He married (first) in Albany, in 1882, Elizabeth Ruhl, born in that city, February 12, 1857, who bore him George and Elizabeth; the latter married Edward J. Rancke, of Brooklyn, New York, and has a daughter Randaline. He married (second) Mrs. Clara (Corey) Woodbeck, born in 1859, died January 11, 1907, daughter of Captain John C. Corey.