Persecution really began after the prophet Joseph Smith was killed. The enemies of the church thought it would disappear without the prophet but that did not prove to be the case. They were determined to rid themselves of the Mormons and persecution continued until Brigham Young, President of the twelve apostles told the Saints to prepare to leave the area. Things went from bad to worse until they were forced to leave in February of 1846. They crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa. They were little prepared for the cold wind and snows that they had to endure. All 11 of Daniel Alexander's brothers and sisters had been born by that time. Hannah, the youngest was born January 19, 1846, just about two weeks before they crossed the river into Iowa. What a difficult situation for them, 12 children and their mother just recovering from child birth. Alexander's Grandma Sessions and two aunts went with them.

It was a difficult journey for them, but they all made it to Mt. Pisgah. It was there that Alexander's father and brothers John, William and John's wife joined the Mormon Battalion. They left with approximately 500 others to serve the US government and their war with Mexico. This day in July 1846, will long be remembered by those who left and those who were left behind.

The remainder of the family remained in Mt. Pisgah for some time. Daniel was left in charge of the family. He was only 16 years old. His Grandma Sessions and aunts died while there. They lived by the river and probably got malaria. They went to Winter Quarters and stayed their until Richard and William came for them in the fall of 1848 and took them to Utah. There they settled in Provo.

Alexander married Janette Rachel Baum on December 27, 1855 in Provo, Utah. They lived there trying to make a living. Their first child was born September 27, 1857. He was named after his father, Daniel Alexander.

Daniel Alexander received his endowments February 16, 1858 and on this date he and his wife were sealed for time and all eternity.

In the spring of 1858 Alexander joined a group of men who crossed the eastern slopes of the Wasatch Mountains to establish homes and farms in the valley of the Provo River headwaters. It was a beautiful valley. They had heard the winters were long and hard and could not grow too much there, but it looked like a good place to farm, raise cattle and sheep. He felt this was a good place to raise his family. The settlers who moved into the Wasatch County and claimed the land were all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

In the Heber Valley, the first order of business was for each man to claim his section of land either 20 or 40 acres and begin as quickly as possible to prepare the ground for planting. Much of the earth was covered with sagebrush, which proved hard to clear. Yet with a prayer in their hearts and a song of faith on their lips, they cleared away the brush and planted seeds. As the crops were being planted the men camped in tents or in the wagons. After the seeds were in they began building log houses. They decided to build close together in a fort formation so they could protect themselves from Indians.

Within the fort area the company of men built their houses close together with sufficient openings to let their stock in and out. Daniel Alexander and his brother, William Bradford built theirs on the corner of 5th North and 1st West. This was the northwest corner of the town site and two blocks wide. The houses were built with green cottonwood logs that were cut on the river bottoms. The floors were made of dirt as well as the roofs. Mud was packed between the logs to fill the cracks.

After the crops were planted and the log cabins prepared, the men left the valley and went back to Provo for their families. Eighteen families were chosen to stay over the first winter. Daniel Alexander was one of them along with two of his brothers, William Bradford and John. It was a long and dreary winter. The snow fell early and was several feet deep. For nearly four months they were without communication from the rest of the world. Being shut out from the rest of the world did not seem to bother them too much. The settlers met in the various log homes for games, singing, dancing, visiting and dramatics. They held church meetings each Sabbath Day.

As the spring of 1860 neared, they looked for signs that warm weather was on its way. By the end of March the snow was as deep as ever, they determined to meet at the home of Thomas Rasband where a meeting would be held and the help of the Lord sought. Those present reported that during the meeting they prayed sincerely and earnestly that the Lord would cause the snow to melt and spring to come so that they could plant their crops. Before the meeting was dismissed there was water dripping from the eaves of the house. Spring had finally come to the valley.

Daniel Alexander and his wife, Janette Rachel, struggled. She had a three year old son, Daniel, who died June 3, 1858. Lather their two year old son, Jacob Richard,  passed away on November 30, 1861. Within two weeks of Jacob's death, a daughter, Rachel Ann, was born on December 13, 1861. A year and a half later, twin boys were born to the Sessions home.

Alexander and Janette Rachel had 11 children:
Daniel Alexander born September 27, 1857, in Provo, Utah
Jacob Richard born March 20, 1859, in Provo, Utah
Rachel Ann born December 13, 1861, in Heber, Utah
Adolpha (twin) born May 13, 1863, in Heber, Utah
Adolphus (twin) born May 13, 1863, in Heber, Utah
William Ferdinand born December 13, 1866 in Heber, Utah
Jane Elizabeth born January 28, 1868 in Heber, Utah
George Marion born January 9, 1872, in Heber, Utah
Alfred Owen born February 10, 1874, in Heber, Utah
Agnes Lucretia born March 13, 1876, in Heber, Utah
John Bradford born May 17, 1880, in Heber, Utah

Daniel Alexander was a farmer and a cattleman. He was also interested in the government of the city. He was elected a selectman to serve under a probate judge. The judge and three selectman constituted the county court. When they became a state the probate judge constituted the chief legal power of the county. In 1872 they were elected to erect a county jail and act as directors of the establishment. Daniel Alexander was a prominent member of the city and respected by all, as was his family.

Daniel Alexander died September 11, 1904 in Heber City, Utah. He is buried in the Session's family plot at the Heber cemetery.