Alexander was born at Mays Lick, Kentucky on November 2, 1836, to Henry Alexander (b. 1802)[1] and Lucy Alexander (b. 1803).[2] Henry was born into slavery, but successfully purchased his freedom when he was 21 years old. He became a merchant and was listed in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census as a free man. At some point, Henry may have purchased his wife's freedom. Lucy Alexander was listed in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census as a free woman. The couple had five daughters: Louisa Lydia; Lucy; Lemira (attended Oberlin 1853–1854); Rachel (attended Oberlin 1862–1864); and Maria Ann (1826–1905) (educator, attended Oberlin 1852–1854, married to Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, an African-American attorney, judge, diplomat and banker).
Alexander entered Oberlin in 1850 and graduated from the Ladies Teaching course in 1856.[3] After graduation, she taught school in several Southern towns including: Charleston, South Carolina; Marietta, Georgia; Henderson, Kentucky; Cumberland, Mississippi; Red Banks, Mississippi; Mays Lick, Kentucky; St. Mark, Alabama; and Giles Plantation, Mississippi.[4]
Alexander died in Washington, DC, August 18, 1911, and was buried in Oberlin Westwood Cemetery.[5]