Alexander John Pickering was the son of Charles William Harris Pickering, a merchant, and Elizabeth Walker Pickering. Charles registered his son's birth on the 20th July 1857 before George Webster, the Registrar.

Alexander emigrated from England to Kansas, USA at about the age of 24 (1881). He settled in Junction City, KS where he met and married Evaline DeMar (originally from Bucks County, PA) in 1886.

There are many people who remember Alexander with affection for his kindness but are quick to note that he didn't appear to be as knowledgeable about investing his money as his other brothers and his father.

Alexander was about 24 years old when he went to Kansas. There he met and married Evaline DeMar whose family was originally from the Newtown, Pennsylvania area. We are not sure what his occupation was during this period.

He lived for a while off his inheritance. He moved to Philadelphia with Evaline about 1892. With his inheritance (it is said) he bought a professional basketball team called the "Swamp Poodles" (named after a section of Philadelphia) and lost most of his money. He was mainly remembered by everyone for his carpentry expertise. He owned a carriage making business in North Wales, Pennsylvania which did not turn out to be a lucrative business.

Alexander was a stock boy for John Wannamakers department store in Philadelphia, PA during the depression. Granddaughter Ruth, remembers standing by the freight elevator waiting to bring lunch to her Grandfather. She related that because he had a good knowledge of wool that when the wool merchants came to sell their wares to the department store they would "dress him up" to go out and bargain and choose the wools for the store. The next day he'd be a stock boy again.

Obituary of William Harrison Pickering, Jr.[1917-1996]: HUDSON, Fla - William H. Pickering Jr died Saturday at the National Healthcare Center in Hudson after a long illness. He was 79.

He was born in Trenton and lived in Far hills for 40 years, moving to Hudson four years ago. Mr. Pickering was the owner of the former Pickering Lumber & Supply Co. in Chester for 25 years, retiring in 1979.

He was a former member of the Chester Rotary Club and the Bedminster-Far Hills Lions Club. He was an active senior member of the Port Richey Rotary Club, and an exempt member of the West End Fire Company in Somerville.

He was a veteran of the Air Force, serving during World War II. His first wife, Frances (Teamer) died in 1982. He is survived by his wife Arlene . . . . .

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