HON. ALEXANDER B. LIGHTNER,
Owns and cultivates an estate in Augusta county, where he was born
on the 15th of February, 1826. He attended the old field schools of
Augusta county until fourteen years old, then went to Greenville, this
county, where he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until
about twenty-five years old. He was then for a short time in a mercantile
business, until elected constable under the new constitution of
Virginia. He served as constable ten years, about 1858 was made
deputy sheriff, so served until 1868, then engaged in farming until
elected to the Virginia legislature in 1872. He served two terms in the
legislature, then was elected high sheriff of Augusta county, which office
he filled until October, 1885, when he was again elected to the Virginia
legislature, where he served one term, since then engaged in farming
his estate.
Mr. Lightner is of German descent, his grandfather, Adam Lightner
coming to Pennsylvania from Germany. His father was born in Pennsylvania,
Samuel Lightner, served in the war of 1812, and died about
1855, aged sixty-seven years. His mother was Elizabeth Sensabaugh
of Augusta county, Virginia. In 1844 he married Sarah A. Gardner,
of Augusta county, who died in 1846, leaving him one son, William T.
He married secondly in Augusta county, in 1849, Sarah E. Wayland,
born in Augusta county, Virginia. Their children are five. Charles
A., George S., Florence B., Virginia E., and James S.
