Alexander F. Roy, Iroquois County

Alexander Fowler Roy (1885 - 1966) came to Watseka, Illinois in 1895 to live with a young couple named Wockener. He was just ten years old and reportedly had two sisters still living in New York with whom he corresponded. He was receiving an education for seven months of the year, but only completed his education up to the 7th grade. In his letter he reports that he had a pony to ride to school. Of course many children travelled to school by pony at that time, but for the New York children, living in Illinois would have been their first close encounters with large animals. Many orphans liked to report about the animals they cared for or were given by their employers. Some asylum representatives encouraged the employers to give the children an animal they could call their own in order to teach them responsibility.

Alexander was 34 when he registered for the draft in the Great War and was married at that time. He was working as a watchman with the railroad and living in Middleport. In 1920 he and Minnie owned their own home. In 1930 Alexander was employed a a hotel clerk, and Minnie was employed as a maid. In 1940 they were still living in Middleport, but Alexander was now a farmer, working on his own account. The census stated that his income was "0" but that he had another income. Perhaps Alexander had received an injury on the railroad and was receiving a disability or pension from the railroad, which was an incredibly dangerous occupation. Becoming a farmer during the Great Depression would have involved a considerable investment, but perhaps Alexander and Minnie wanted to live the independent life of farmers rather than work in the town.

Alexander and Minnie never had any children and no clues exist as to Alexander's sisters. Minnie died in 1963 and Alexander died in 1966. They were buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka, Illinois.