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Capt. Alexander Ziegler, a farmer of Joachim Township, is a native of
St. Louis County, Mo., and was born January 23, 1824.  His father was
Matthew and his mother was Barbara (Halffner) Ziegler, natives of Germany, 

who were married in America, and were among the early pioneers of
the State of Missouri.  The father died in 1835, leaving a family of 
six small children and their mother in limited circumstances. Alexander
being the second eldest son, was called upon to assist in keeping the
wolf from the door, and remained at home until he was about twenty 
years of age.  April 10, 1844, he married Miss Amanda Dover, a daughter
of John and Jemina (Stephens) Dover, who was born in Louisville, Ky.,
November 19, 1823; her parents were natives, respectively, of Virginia
and London, England.  To Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler have been born two sons,
viz.: Charles B., born July 18, 1845 and Theodore C., born February 21,
1849.  As his father was a tobacconist it was quite natural that Alexander 

should follow the same calling, and he engaged in the manufacturing 

business in St. Louis until 1845, when he came to Jefferson County and 

was engaged in farming for about three years.  He was afterward employed 

as a captain of steamboats on the Mississippi River, having charge of the 

"Belle of St. Louis" from the time it was launched until it was abandoned.  

His command was then transferred to "The City of Chester," which was 

burned in Memphis, Tenn.  In all he spent about thirty years on the river.  

Since 1868 the family have resided in Joachim Township, on a farm of 450 

acres of well cultivated land.  Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler are consistent members 

of the Roman Catholic Church.  In political matters he is a stanch Democrat.  

During the war he was in command of a vessel transporting troops up and 

down the river, and was intimately acquainted with Gen. Grant; he was 

present with that general at the surrender of the city of Vicksburg.