Who was Mr Alexander Oskar Holverson?

Mr Alexander Oskar Holverson was a 42 (forty-two) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on October 2, 1869, in Rushford, Minnesota, Holverson was a successful salesman who tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Alexander Holverson was born into a family with Norwegian roots. His father, Amund Holverson (1833-1917), was a blacksmith who had emigrated from Norway, while his mother, Rachael Holleque (b. 1845), hailed from Illinois. The couple married on March 2, 1864, in Fillmore, Minnesota.

Alexander was one of seven children in the Holverson family:

• Henry T. (1865-1944)
• Alexander Oskar (1869-1912)
• Alfred Reuben (b. 1872)
• Sydney Edwin (1877-1958)
• Emma (b. 1880)
• Mary Alice (1883-1973, later Mrs Andrew Urness)
• Walter Reuben (1888-1950)

The Holverson family initially resided in Rushford, as evidenced by the 1870 and 1880 censuses. Later, they relocated to Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota.

Career and Professional Life

How did Alexander Holverson build his career?

Alexander Holverson established himself as a prominent salesman, making significant strides in his professional life:

1. He opened the Boston office of Cluett, Peabody & Company.
2. While in Boston, he lived on Strathmore Road, Brighton, for five years.
3. The 1905 census lists him as a lodger at Pearl Street, Buffalo, New York, describing him as a traveling salesman.
4. Around 1909, he received a promotion and moved to the New York office.

Holverson’s success in sales allowed him to travel extensively and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. As a testament to his social standing, he was a Freemason and a member of Transportation Lodge 842.

Personal Life

Alexander Holverson married Mary Alice Towner on May 5, 1906, in Manhattan. Mary, born in 1876, was a native of Bradford, Pennsylvania. The couple remained childless throughout their marriage and resided at 568 West 149th Street, Manhattan, as per the 1910 census.

What did Alexander Holverson look like?

According to his 1911 passport, Alexander Holverson had the following physical characteristics:

• Height: 5 feet 9 inches
• Hair color: Blond
• Eye color: Blue
• Complexion: Fair
• Face shape: Round

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why were the Holversons on the Titanic?

The Holversons had been on an extended vacation in South America since late 1911 or early 1912. They spent time in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before departing for England. The couple arrived in Southampton on April 6 aboard the Aragon and stayed at the Piccadilly Hotel in London.

For their return journey to the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Holverson boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. They traveled as first-class passengers, having purchased ticket number 113789 for £52.

The Titanic Disaster and Aftermath

Tragically, Alexander Holverson did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His wife, Mary Alice, managed to escape in lifeboat 8 and was among the survivors.

What happened to Alexander Holverson’s body?

Alexander Holverson’s body was recovered by the Mackay Bennett, labeled as body No. 38. The detailed description of his remains provides a poignant glimpse into the life of this first-class passenger:

Clothing:

• Black overcoat
• Grey suit
• Black and grey necktie
• Blue shirt
• Green pyjamas with black stripe
• Underclothes
• Patent leather shoes
• Four gold teeth, top left, and five below left

Effects:

• Gold watch with black beetle in case
• Silver card case
• Fountain pen
• Trinket case containing various jewelry items
• Smoked glasses
• Pocketbook
• 12 shillings, 2 keys, knife
• Two £5 notes
• Letter of credit for $5000, No. 7710, by Kountze Bros., N.Y.

The body was delivered to his brother Henry Holverson of Alexandria, Minnesota, and forwarded to New York on May 1, 1912, for burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

The Titanic disaster had a profound impact on the Holverson family:

• Alexander’s mother, Rachael, passed away less than six months after his death, on September 25, 1912, in Alexandria.
• His widow, Mary Alice, returned to New York and never remarried. She died in 1918 and was buried alongside Alexander.

Alexander Oskar Holverson’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic tragedy, leaving behind grieving families and unfulfilled potential. His detailed personal effects, carefully cataloged after recovery, offer a tangible connection to the man who lost his life on that fateful night in April 1912.