Alexander McAllister was born in Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, October 2, 1843, and died at Sparta, Illinois, October 18, 1920, aged 77 years and 15 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Boyd at Oakdale March 3, 1870 and to this union were born three sons, Robert of this city [Sparta]; John Boyd of Greeley, Colorado, and Richard of Topeka, Kansas.

Mr. McAllister enlisted in the service of his country August 1862 and was wounded in battle at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, and upon his surgeon's certificate he received his honorable discharge, owing to the serious effect of his wound, September 19, 1863. Brother McAllister united with the Presbyterian church at Oak Grove, when he was a young man, and after moving to Sparta August 1893, he has made this his home ever since. He united by letter April 3, 1920, with the First Presbyterian church of this city, and has always taken a deep interest in the church, and the things of the Kingdom. Those of us who knew him and heard him talk, feel certain he was ready for the end. He loved his Lord, and loved to talk about things of the Spirit.

Those left to mourn his loss are his widow, Mrs. Nancy Boyd McAllister, and his three boys, besides a number of grandchildren, and his numerous friends and neighbors.

He has served his country, he has served his day and generation, he has lived on borrowed time. He has served his Lord, he has gone to his reward. Let those who are left take up our tasks with fresh vigor and faith, and see to it, that our lives count for God and Eternity.