On 22 January 1884 Alexander marries Jane Carter and they proceed to have at least their first three children in Sunderland. By the time of the birth of Alexander Tough, their fourth known child, in approximately 1894 they live in Durban, South Africa. By the time of the birth of their fifth child, Jane, in approximately 1896 they have returned to Sunderland.

In 1907 they emigrate to America where they stayed and brought up their family. Alexander and their eldest son, James William, land first on 26 March 1907. The ship they are on is the 'Caronia' which is headed for the Immigration Centre at Ellis Island, New York. Alexander is listed as a 44-year-old Bricklayer. He was able to read and write and was headed for Providence, Rhode Island. He brought $79 dollars with them and they were going to stay with his friend, William Brown of 396 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island. The manifest records that he had visited the US previously in 1906, staying in New Bretton. The manifest records Alexander as having a fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes.

Jane and his six other children land six months later on 8 October 1907. On it, she records that she is going to stay with her husband, Alex Tough, of 412 S Avenue, Rochester. Unfortunately, this is not very clear to read.

While working as a contractor on a job in Niagara Falls in 1917 he was injured. He was severely brain damaged and lived in the state hospital until his death in 1939. He was buried with his wife (who died a few years later) in Mount Hope Cemetary, Rochester, New York.