Alexander Majors was an American businessman and transport pioneer who played a critical role in the westward expansion of the United States. Born in 1814, Majors is best remembered as a co-founder of the Pony Express alongside partners William Hepburn Russell and William B. Waddell. Operating out of St. Joseph, Missouri—a vital supply hub for pioneers heading toward the Oregon Country—the venture sought to establish a rapid mail delivery system across the American West.\n\nDespite successfully executing mail deliveries, Majors and his partners failed to secure a lucrative government contract. The business faced insurmountable competition and ultimately went bankrupt following the opening of the Transcontinental Telegraph in October 1861, which rendered their rapid physical mail service obsolete.\n\nFollowing the collapse of the Pony Express, Majors transitioned his business efforts to support the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. He contracted with the Union Pacific Railroad to supply wooden rail ties for construction crews. After the transcontinental line was completed, Majors continued his freighting operations, hauling essential goods to remote towns that had not yet been reached by the expanding rail network. He passed away in 1900.
