My Contribution: I led a life of service related to civic, cultural, and arts organizations and improvement societies. My advocacy for improved public health awareness and immunizations impacted and protected Harrisburg’s vulnerable populations.
My Legacy: My work and support of local organizations led to enriching the lives and health of my neighbors. Many of the organizations for which I volunteered such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts, and Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church still have an active presence in Harrisburg and benefit thousands of residents.
About Me: “Well liked, popular, not only among members of his own race, but with those of every creed and color, he was a distinct credit to his race and championed their every cause to the fullest extent of his ability. Doc had no office hours set aside — he just kept on going around the clock.” Nobe Frank, Harrisburg Telegraph February 5, 1942.
Full Name: Alexander Leslie Marshall
Birth Date: January 5, 1889
Death Date: February 2 1942
Place of Birth: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sex: Male
Race: Black (1900 Federal Census), “Mulatto” (1920 Federal Census)
Places of Residence: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: 516 Spruce Street, 631 Boas Street, and 825 N. 6th Street.
Connection to the Old Eighth Ward: Resided just north of the Eighth Ward; local doctor and engaged in many local organizations; attended church at Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church.
Family Members: Grandfater: Alexander W. Dennee. Grandmother: Harriet (McClintock) Marshall. Father William H. Marshall. Mother: Mary Lillian “Bessie” (Dennee) Marshall. Siblings: William Elisha Marshall, Dr. Forrest Scott Marshall, Catherine Condel (adopted sister). Wife: Margaret (Blalock) Marshall.
Education: Central High School, Harrisburg, 1905. Medico-Chirurgical College (later merged with University of Pennsylvania), 1910; residency at Mercy Hospital.
Occupations: Physician
Church Membership: Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church.
Activism: Colored Knights of Pythias; Central PA Medical Society (secretary); National Medical Association (vice president); Forster Street YMCA (president); Westley Union A.M.Z. Zion Church (treasurer); Republicans precinct committee, 8th Ward (secretary); Dauphin County Civic and Progressive League (chairman); WPA Folk Council, Festival of Nations (chairman); Auxiliary Disaster Committee of Harrisburg Red Cross Hall Johnson Negro Choir (officer)l Clinic Committee of Tuberculosis and Health Society of Harrisburg; Housing Association of Harrisburg (executive committee); Scoutmaster and founder of colored Boy Scouts in Harrisburg; Cosmopolitan Chorus, Westley Union A.M.E. Zion Church (advisor); Junior Colored Baseball League (president); Community Choral Society (chairman); NAACP, Harrisburg chapter (vice president).
Connections: Alexander Dennee Bibb (cousin), William H. Marshall (father), William Elisha Marshall (brother), Harriet (McClintock) Marshall (grandmother), Morris H. Layton, Jr. (cousin), Morris H. Layton, Sir. (uncle), and Josephine Dennee Bibb Davidson.
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