Louis Alexander Papers

Louis Alexander was born in 1922 to Henry Rich Alexander and Tillie Brown Alexander. Tillie Brown was co-owner of Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. with Wallace P. Brown starting in 1930. In 1949, Louis Alexander took over the position of Vice President of the Board from his mother, Tillie Brown. The stocks were officially transferred in 1967, making Louis Alexander co-owner of Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. Louis Alexander became sole owner by transfer of the remaining stock in 1974. The business was closed in 1986. Before the business was closed, Louis Alexander was appointed guardian for his cousin, Morton Deutsch who was in failing health at the age of 92. He took care of legal and monetary matters up to and beyond Morton Deutsch’s death in 1987. Legal action had been taken against Morton Deutsch regarding his estate on Daufuskie Island and Louis Alexander became the guardian of the estate well after his death.

Morton Deutsch was born in 1893 to Arthur Deutsch and Dora Morrison Deutsch. Later in life he was an avid writer and attempted to publish a book with the Hebrew Union College. During his last years he was living in very unhealthy conditions, unable to leave his home or keep the residence in livable order. He hired others to bring him groceries. He made promises to Hebrew Union College as well as the Scottish Rite’s Hospital for Crippled Children in regards to his land on Daufuskie Island. However, there were doubts to his mental and physical health while he was dealing with the college and hospital which led to court actions between the college and Morton Deutsch. In 1985, Morton Deutsch was assessed by doctors and was found to be incapacitated and unable to take care of himself. Louis Alexander was appointed his guardian at this time. Morton Deutsch lived in a couple of nursing homes, was diagnosed with colon cancer and died in 1987. The increasing cost of Morton Deutsch’s health care made it necessary for Louis Alexander to sell the estate to pay off some of the debt.