Frank Alexander was born on April 12, 1904, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, into a large and hardworking family. From a young age, Frank was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of farm life, contributing to the family’s agricultural livelihood. By 1910, he was living with his parents and eight siblings in Mississippi. The family’s main source of income was farming, a common occupation in that era and region. This environment instilled in Frank a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility from an early age.

Frank was born one of ten children—nine boys and one daughter—in the family of James and Holly Alexander. The family lived in Marshall County, located in Byhalia, Mississippi. James and Holly’s children, in birth order, were Albert, Sam, Frank, Moutry, Isadore, Elree, James II, Charity, Charlie, and A.C.

In 1914, the Alexander family welcomed a new member, Frank’s youngest and only sister, Charity. Her birth brought a new dynamic to the family, adding joy amidst the hard work on the farm. The family continued to thrive, working together to maintain their livelihood. Frank’s formative years were shaped by the rural landscape and the close-knit nature of his family.

The year 1920 saw Frank residing with his mother and seven siblings in Marshall, Mississippi. His mother worked as a farmer, managing to sustain the large family through sheer determination and hard work. This period of Frank’s life was marked by the strong influence of his mother’s resilience and the family’s unwavering unity. The lessons learned during these years would stay with Frank throughout his life.

In 1922, at the age of 18, Frank embarked on a new journey by entering into his first marriage. He married Cecelia Suggs, a union that was part of a broader pattern within their families. The Suggs and Alexander families were intermarried, with all the Suggs daughters marrying Alexander men, suggesting that Frank and Cecelia’s marriage could have been arranged. This significant life event marked the beginning of his own family and new responsibilities. Marriage brought about changes and new challenges, but Frank’s background in a large, supportive family prepared him well for this new chapter. After their marriage, Frank and Cecelia began their family with the birth of their first child, Musette.

By 1930, Frank had moved to Chicago, Illinois, seeking better opportunities in the bustling city. At 27 years old, he worked as a machinist in a packing house, a job that was a significant shift from his agricultural roots. In Chicago, Frank and his family initially lived with his brother-in-law and two sisters, adapting to the urban lifestyle and navigating the complexities of city living. They faced difficulties finding their own place due to their growing family size, and at times had to send some of their children to live with their grandparents.

Eventually, they moved to their own home at 731 E 40th St. in Chicago. This move represented a significant transition in Frank’s life, offering new experiences and opportunities. In Chicago, their family continued to grow with the births of Bernice, Celestine (“Teany”), Frank II (“F.C.”), Lester, Dixie, Lucille, Maxine I, Essex, Barbara, Troy, Jewel, and Maxine II. With many daughters, Frank longed for a son, and when he finally had Frank II (“F.C.”), he doted on him and spoiled him, a clear reflection of his deep desire to have a son amidst his many beloved daughters.

Frank was an excellent provider for his wife and large family. One of his admirable traits was always paying his family’s bills and maintaining a good credit rating. Therefore, in his lifetime, Frank purchased three different properties, living in two of them and renting one to a tenant.

During the 1940s (WW II years), Frank and Cecelia moved to Lansing, Michigan, to live and work in automobile plants that manufactured war equipment instead of civilian equipment. During those years, living in the home of their second daughter, Bernice, and her husband Ted Davenport, Frank and Cecelia managed to save enough to return to Chicago and purchase their first home in 1946. They lived on the north side of Chicago at 1429-1529 Wells Street before being forced to move to the south side to 1529 East 73rd Street around the corner from Elijah Muhammad’s mosque because of gentrification.

Frank worked in a rope and leather manufacturing business and later in the steel equipment business as a grinder/machinist. Despite the challenges of raising a large family in the city, Frank and Cecelia managed to provide for their children, ensuring they had the best opportunities available. Their home was a hub of activity and love, reflecting the values Frank had carried from his own upbringing.

Known for his thriftiness, he maintained his distinctive style, slicking his hair with Murray’s cream and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, such as playing the numbers, a form of lottery popular at the time. Frank continued to work tirelessly, embodying the work ethic instilled in him during his early years.

Frank Alexander’s life came to a close in October 1982 in Danville, Illinois. His legacy, however, continues through his descendants, who remember him for his enduring work ethic, resilience, and the life he built with his family. His story is a testament to the strength and determination that defined his generation. Frank’s life journey, from the fields of Mississippi to the bustling streets of Chicago, is a powerful narrative of adaptation, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to family.

Both Frank and Cecelia were good examples of sticking with your family through all of life’s ups and downs. Frank’s story is preserved not only in the memories of his descendants but also through the detailed records and accounts that document his life’s journey. These stories and memories serve as a bridge connecting past generations with the present, ensuring that the legacy of Frank Alexander continues to inspire and guide his family for years to come.