William Melville Alexander was an American politician, physician, and land speculator active in Illinois. [1]
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. [2] He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1820 and reelected in 1822. [3] In his second term, he was elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives by his colleagues. [1]
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. [1] He is the namesake of Alexander County, Illinois. [6] [7]
William Melville Alexander was an American politician, physician, and land speculator active in Illinois. [1]
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. [2] He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1820 and reelected in 1822. [3] In his second term, he was elected Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives by his colleagues. [1]
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. [1] He is the namesake of Alexander County, Illinois. [6] [7]