John Franklin Alexander was born on September 8, 1892 in Chester, Middlesex County, Connecticut. He was the son of George H. Alexander and Hannah Alexander. Prior to his enlistment in Hartford on July 25, 1917, he had lived in the city for five years. He was a member of the First Company, Governor's Foot Guard before entering the service. He came to Hartford in September 1912, entering the employ of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, remaining there until his enlistment. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private First Class in the 101st Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Infantry Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on July 27, 1918 in the 103rd Field Hospital in France at the age of 25 and is now buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Chester, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA.