The Alkire Family of Pickaway County, Ohio

GEORGE W. ALKIRE, one of the prominent agriculturists of Madison and Pickaway counties, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section of Ohio, and is the only surviving son of Isaac and Mary (Graham) Alkire.

The Alkire family is of Scotch extraction and many members of it still reside in old Scotland, where the name is spelled Alkirk. The founder of the Alkire family in America was a member of the colonizing expedition of Lord Baltimore, which crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made the first settlement in Maryland in 1634. Evidently this early settler was a man of virile strength as his descendants have increased and multiplied, their lives and histories being more or less interwoven with the annals of a number of the States of the Union. From Maryland the name is traced to Virginia, thence to Kentucky and about 1800 it became known in Ohio.

Almonas Alkire, of Virginia, in 1720 married Mary Crayman, the daughter of a neighbor, and from this union came a family, the four preserved names being: William, torn in 1724: Deborah, born in 1728; Almonas, Jr., born in 1730: and Sarah,, born in 1732.

William Alkire, the eldest son of the above family, was born and probably reared in Virginia and there married Elizabeth Moore, for his first wife. Subsequently he removed to Kentucky but no records are at hand to show whether the following children were born in Virginia or Kentucky. They were: Marv Ann, born October 5, 1781, who married Courtney-Tanner: Robert, born October 3, 1783. who married Elizabeth Douglass: John, born December 17, 1785, who died in infancy; Margaret, born in 1786. who married James Denison; Jacob, born April 1, 1787. who married Mary Phebus, who died March 20. 1842, his death following on June 5, 1847; Isaac, the father of our subject; Abraham, torn August 6, 1790; Lydia, born January 3. 1792, who married John Graham; Harmon, born February 10, 1794, who never married; John (2), born October 15, 1795. who married Susan Mantle; Delilah, born in 1796, who married John Metz: and William, born 1797, who married Hannah Osborn. After the death of his first wife, William Alkire married Temperance Clay, who was a sister of the distinguished statesman, Henry Clay. Two children were born to this marriage, viz.: Henry Green Clay and Joseph. The former was torn May 25, 1807, in Ohio, and died July 23. 1863. His wife was Elizabeth Neff, of a well-known Ohio pioneer family.

Isaac Alkire, son of William and Elizabeth (Moore) Alkire. and father of George W. Alkire, was born October 12. 1788, probably in Kentucky. His death occurred May 10, 1877, nn h's farm in Darby township, Pickaway County, Ohio, where he owned 500 acres of land. He inherited 100 acres of land from his father, who came to Ohio about 1800. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He married Mary Graham, who became the mother of eight children and died November 14. 1862. The two living children of Isaac Alkire are: George W., of this sketch: and Cynthia, the wife of F. O. Bostic, of Mount Sterling.

George W. Alkire was born in Darby town-

' ship, Pickaway County. Ohio, on January 4, 1836. He was educated in the district schools and was reared a practical farmer on the old homestead, where he remained until he was 38 years of age. He owns 807 acres of excellent land in Pickaway County, as mentioned above, and also 75 acres in Madison County, on which he lives. Formerly the family owned the present site of Mount Sterling, which town was originally laid out by Mr. Alkire’s uncle, a Mr. Smith.

George W. Alkire was united in marriage with Katherine Smith, who was a ward of Dr. Whitford, of Circleville. They have had four children, viz.: Martha, who died aged 18 years; Nella, who lives at home; Katherine, who also resides at home; and William, who married Bessie Snyder.

Mr. Alkire is a charter member of the Mount Sterling lodge of Odd Fellows and is one of the oldest members of the fraternity in his section. Fie has been identified with the improvement and growth of Darby township since his earliest days and no citizen is held in higher esteem.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ABRAHAM REID ALKIRE.

Armster, William and Benjamin. Nine children were born to our subject's parents, namely: Mary, who died at the age of 13 years; Newton, who with his wife, Mary Jane Caldwell, is now deceased; Warren, who mar- 1 ried Virginia Glasscock, his cousin, and now lives in Missouri; Margaret, whose husband, Allred Stump, is now deceased; Sarah, who married Darius Shockley; Martha C., who married Rev. Robert W. Peters, a minister of the Baptist Church; Thornton, the subject of this sketch; and Alice, wife of Richard R. Leach, of Darby township — all born in Virginia; and William, the only member of the family born in Ohio, who married Ella Balia. > Both parents died in 1895, the mother on February 4th and the father on November 18th.

Thornton Glasscock was eight years of age when the family located permanently in Ohio. Several years before, however, his parents with some of the children came to Ohio, but remained only a short time, when they returned to their old home in Virginia. Later all the members of the family came to Ohio, lived here two years and then started for Missouri. The family and goods were loaded * into three wagons, one of them being a four-horse team driven by Thornton and his sister Sarah. The family did not long remain in Missouri, however, but returned to Ohio and located in what is now Darby township, Pickaway County, where Thornton Leach, the maternal grandfather of our subject, had purchased a tract of 600 acres of forest land. The country was quite unsettled at that time. Thornton Leach had made a clearing on this tract and here had built a rude log house, with a stick chimney and a luncheon floor, and with a quilt hung up for a door. It was amid such surroundings that William Glasscock, the youngest member of the family, was born.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY GREEN CLAY ALKIRE, a worthy member of one of the most prominent families of Darby township, Pickaway County, and a highly esteemed citizen and representative agriculturist, resides on a farm of 195 acres,: which extends through Darby township, Picky away County, and Pleasant township, Aladison County, Ohio. Mr. Alkire was born in Fountain County, Indiana, December 2, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Tillitha C. (Dehaven) Alkire.

The Alkires originated in Holland and the family records can be traced as far back as William II, Prince of Orange. The Hague records present the information that near Arnheim, on the Rhine, in Holland, in 1626, there lived a family bearing a coat of arms which was given by this Prince of Orange, with the baronial name of Algire. This insignia may be thus described: Arms on a silver shield;

crest, a falcon, red beak and feet, a bunch of grapes and a wineglass, a pike and cross swords, with the motto, Cum Salus. It would not be very difficult for the present generation to decipher the meaning of these symbols, helped out with the Latin inscription. That the Algires were noblemen was proved by the composition of the shields, only men of rank being permitted the use of gold or silver. The middle class used leather and wood shields. In religious belief the Alkires became notable during the Reformation, espousing the Lutheran cause.

Still other Alkires or Alkirks were found in Scotland and that they were of the same family is proven by their possessing the same coat of arms. In the 17th century, one Almonas Algire left the British Isles and accompanied Lord Baltimore to the English Colonies. He subsequently settled on Albemarle Sound and assisted the Governor of Virginia in his various campaigns against the Indians. There was an Alkire at the battle of Fort Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio.

The Algire or Alkire family of Pickaway County trace their direct ancestry to Almonas Alkire who was married to Alary Crayman in 1720 near Aloorefield, Virginia. They had four children.

Joseph W. Alkire, father of our subject, was' born in Kentucky November 24, 1805, and was quite young when his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Pleasant township, Alad-; ison County, where lie lived until the death of his father. At the age of 18 years he went to Indiana and took possession of a piece of land which he probably had inherited, and shortly afterward was married to Tillitha C. Dehaven. She was born in Kentucky, January 7, 1805, and had been taken to Indiana with her parents. She died in Pike County, Illinois, whither the family had moved in 1843, after selling the Indiana farm. Our subject and a sister, Nancy, who married Hiram Smith, both now being deceased, were born in Indiana. While the family lived in Illinois, two more children were added to the household: Jacob, who died in Illinois, at the.age of 11 years, and Mahala, who subsequently married America Murry, and died also in Illinois.

The first wife of Joseph W. Alkire died about 1855 and he was later married to Katherine Taylor. Before they left Illinois, they had one child — Louise. Mr. Alkire then decided to move to Southwestern Missouri and sold his Illinois property. He died in Missouri in 1872.

Henry Green Clay Alkire was nine years old when his parents moved to Illinois, but when his. father married again he returned to- Ohio, leaving his...farm of 40 acres in his father's care. He made his home until his marriage with his uncle, Henry Green Clay Alkire, on the farm he now owns and occupies. This property was killed to his son, Stephen A. Alkire, by the uncle above mentioned, and in 1879 our subject bought the farm and has resided here ever since.

On May 10, 1857, Henry G. C. Alkire was united in marriage with Harriet Snyder, who had also made her home with the elder Henry G. C. Alkire, and they continued to reside on the farm until 1864. During this period four children were born here, three of whom they lost in 1863. The survivor, Stephen A., grew to manhood and subsequently married Maggie Leach, who was born in Ohio. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The Alkire home, a two-story frame dwelling of 1 1 rooms, is set in the midst of one of the most beautiful groves in Pickaway County. The other buildings are substantial in character and the whole appearance of the place gives testimony as to the pride and affection its residents feel in it.

Mr. Alkire is still actively interested in all that concerns the township, and consents to serve as school director as a matter of duty. He has never been much interested in politics, although as a very well-informed man he keeps posted on all that is going on in the world. Like the rest of his family, he is a quiet, observing man. one whose word or integrity is never questioned in his community, always ready to promote objects of general welfare, devoted to his family and respected and esteemed as a neighbor.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CORBAN GRANT ALKIRE, a well-known resident of Mount Sterling, Ohio, and a member of one of the old and honorable families of Pick-, away and Madison counties, was born on his father’s farm in Madison County, Ohio, May 26, 1863, and is a son of Abraham Reid and Mary Jane (Tanner) Alkire, grandson of Abraham and Jennie Martin (Creath) Alkire and great-grandson of William and Elizabeth (Moore) Alkire.

The Alkire family in America was established by Almonas Alkire, who in the time of James I., of England, was a member of Lord Baltimore’s colonizing expedition, which settled in Maryland. Old records demonstrate the fact that in 1626 there lived in Holland a noble family by the name of Algire, which had originally come from Scotland where the family name was Alkirk. From Maryland the Alkires passed to Virginia, thence to Kentucky and finally to.Ohio, where the family has been established nearly 100 years. The early family history has been given at length in the sketch of William Harvey Alkire, brother of our subject, which appears elsewhere in this book.

Abraham Reid Alkire was born on the old Alkire homestead, in Pleasant township, Madison County, Ohio, on February 27, 1830, and died February 12, 1902. He married Mary Jane Tanner, who was born February 22, 1839, and died October 10, 1886. They reared five sons and one daughter, as follows: William Harvey, vice-president of The-Citizens’ Bank at Mount Sterling; Charles Francis; Abraham Scott; Corban Grant; Tully Smith and Lillie Annie, wife of Charles Edgar Zahn. Abraham Reid Alkire was president of The Citizens’ Bank at Mount Sterling from the date of its organization to his death. He married for his second wife Mrs. Flavilla (Coalton) Tenny, January 29, 1889. She died January 16, 1899, aged 66 years, 9 months and 15 days.

Corban G. Alkire was mainly educated at Columbus and is a man of solid intellectual attainments. At the death of his father he came into possession of land amounting to 273 acres, in Madison and Pickaway counties, and owns an elegant home at Mount Sterling.

Mr. Alkire was married at Columbus, Ohio, June 29, 1898, to Clara Liggett, who was born April 22, 1868, at Baton- Rouge, Louisiana, and is a daughter of the late Col. John B. Liggett. Mrs. Alkire has two sisters, Georgia and Kate.

The late Col. John B. Liggett was born at Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, November 25, 1839. Like many other men who have reaped success in other fields, Colonel Liggett was reared on a farm and had only the educational advantages offered by the public schools. On leaving the farm he engaged in a mercantile business in various places until the outbreak of the Civil War. During the war he had a contract with the United States government to supply coal and for some time he followed the river in fulfilling his contracts. At the close of the war he went to Louisiana and for a time was engaged in a coal business there, later removing to New Orleans, where he was very successful in the same line.

Colonel Liggett then came North, established his home at Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio, and there became connected with th sewer-pipe industry and continued in that business for several years. He then became interested in the Bell Telephone Company and was soon recognized as one of the company’s most valuable employees in this whole section. Important interests were soon placed in his hands and they were managed with skill and efficiency. He became general manager of the Central at Toronto and was noted for his promptness as well as his courtesy. Personally he was held in the highest esteem and many expressions of intense regret were heard at the time of his decease. The mother of Mrs. Alkire still survives and resides with her two daughters at Toronto.

A visitor to Mount Sterling could not help but admire the beautiful home of Mr. 'and Mrs. Alkire, situated as it is in a wealth of flowering loveliness. Winter is turned into summer with them, for flowers bloom for these true lovers of the floral kingdom, within doors as well as out. They have a fine collection of palms and ferns, among which may be seen many fine * specimens. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire are both deaf mutes, but with such beautiful surroundings and with congenial tastes, the affliction seems a light one. Mrs. Alkire was born thus but Mr. Alkire sustained his loss from a severe attack of fever in his childhood. Both enjoyed the educational advantages afforded at the Deaf Mute College at Columbus and are highly educated and also variously accomplished. The atmosphere of their quiet home, with its refined influences, is very attractive.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY FREMONT ALKIRE, a well-known resident of Deer Creek township resides on his valuable farm of 175 acres on the Chillicothe turnpike, lie has attained success in his profession as surveyor and at the same time has capable managed the work on his farm. Mr. Alkire was born on what is now a part of the John P. Bennett farm, -in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, on March 5, 1862, and is a son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Darr) Alkire. Mr. Alkire comes of a pioneer family of this locality, which has been established in America for upwards of two centuries.

The Alkire family history is easily traced back to 1626, when, according to evidence copied from records at The Hague, there lived in Holland, near Arnheim on the Rhine, a family bearing a coat of arms given by William II, Prince of Orange; the baronetcy name was Algire. The arms, which were on a silver shield, may thus be described: Crest, a falcon, red beak and feet; bunch of grapes and wineglass; pike and cross sword; with the motto — “ Cum Stilus.” Only noblemen and men of rank used gold and silver shields; the commoners used leather and wood. In religious belief the members of this family were Lutherans. Their forefathers were from Scotland, where the family name was spelled Alkirk.

In the 17th century, one Almonious Algire came to America with Lord Baltimore and others. He settled on Albemarle Sound, near the Virginia shore and took part with the

Governor in his various campaigns against the Indians. An Almonious Alkire was in the battle of Fort Chillicothe, in Ross County, Ohio. In 1720, near Moorefield, Virginia (now Vest Virginia), he married Mary Crayman. To this union were born four children, namely: William, born in 1724, who married Elizabeth Moore in Virginia and had 12 children; Deborah, born in 1728; Almonious. Jr., born in 1730; and Sarah, born in 1732.

Almonious Alkire, Jr., was married near MoorefielcI, Virginia, in 1751, to Lydia Patten and to them were born six children, as follows: Adam, born in 1753; Margaret, born in 1757; Almonious, born in 1762; Dolly, born in 1765; Michael, the grandfather of our subject; and George, born in 1773, who became a minister of the Gospel.

Michael Alkire was born in Kentucky in 1771 and was there married on January 6, 1793, to Dorothy Phebus, a lady of Scotch descent but of Kentucky birth. They had three children horn to them during their resilience near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, namely: John M., born November 16, 1793; Nimrod, born March 27, 1796; and Sarah, born July 18, 179S. In 1800 Michael Alkire with his family and some of his brothers moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, settling on Deer Creek near Williamsport. Here he built the old log cabin of two rooms which continued to be the family home for many years, and stood until 1906. Mr. Alkire lived here until his death, February 11, 1843, and was buried on the home farm. At the time of his decease he owned large tracts of land. His wife died May 11, 1854. Seven children were born to Michael Alkire and his wife after they came to Ohio, namely: Nancy, William M., Katharine, Ruan, James, Alexander and Benjamin Franklin. Of the 10 children born to Michael Alkire and wife. John M. married Katharine Halstead; Nimrod married a Miss-Baggs; Sarah married James Plearst; Nancy married Capt. Elliot Halstead: William M. married his cousin, Mary Alkire; Katharine married Phineas Cade; Ruan married Alabartis Halstead, son of Dr. Abraham Halstead; Benjamin Franklin married Hannah Halstead, a sister of Alabartis Halstead.

John M. Alkire’s wife was a sister of Capt. Elliot Halstead and Dr. Abraham Halstead. Their parents were Captain John and Sarah Halstead, who were born in New Jersey in 1750 and who moved to Deer Credk township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in

1817, dying on their farm near Yellow Bud, three miles east of Williamsport. Dr. Abraham Halstead was born in New York in 1782; his wife was a Schryver.

Benjamin Franklin Alkire, father of Harry F. Alkire, was born in the little log cabin in Deer Creek township, mentioned above, in

1818, and lived on this place practically all his life, having passed a few years on the John P. Bennett farm. He was a member of a light horse company that was organized to pursue Morgan, the raider, during the Civil War. By profession he was a surveyor and in addition he had large farming interests.

The first marriage of Benjamin F. Alkire was to Hannah Halstead, daughter of Dr. Abraham Halstead, and they had one daughter, Elizabeth E., who became Mrs. Madison Loaf hour row and is now a resident of Mount Sterling, Ohio. Mr. Alkire married (second) Mary Darr, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of David and Mary (Probst) Darr. They had the following children: Mai, wife of William A. Bazore, who lives on the Judas road in Deer Creek township, where he conducts a mill; Frank D., who lives in Deer Creek township on the Chillicothe turnpike; and Harry Fremont, the subject of this sketch.

Harry Fremont Alkire first attended the Mount Pleasant school and later the district school conducted in a schoolhouse standing on his father’s land. This schoolhouse had been built by Benjamin F. Alkire without outside assistance, mainly with the idea of providing school advantages for his own children, but it was open to all those in the neighborhood. Mr. Alkire learned the profession of surveying by assisting his father and this practical experience proved far more valuable than any book knowledge of the subject that he secured. From the age of 10 years he accompanied his father on his many surveys, and by the time he attained the age of 18 years, when his father no longer engaged in surveying, he was able to fill the contracts and has continued in the profession ever since. For some three years he has served as deputy county surveyor and is the logical candidate of his party for county surveyor at the next convention. In addition to his work in this line, Mr. Alkire has proven himself an admirable farmer, his 175-acre farm being under a fine state of cultivation. He is one of the best know men in Deer Creek township, having lived here since he was two years old.

On July 24, 1887, Mr. Alkire was married to Melissa Ater, who was born in Deer Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jackson and Drusilla (Boots) Ater. They have one daughter, Olive, who was born April 17, 18S8, and was graduated from the Williamsport High School in the class of 1906. She is an accomplished, engaging young lady, very popular in social circles.

Politically Mr. Alkire is a Democrat. He has served in many of the local offices, including those of assessor, deputy county surveyor and land appraiser. Since he was 21 years of age, Mr. Alkire has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is an active member of Lodge No. 721, at Clarksburg, being also a member of the Rebekahs. He also belongs to Lodge No. 478, Knights of Pythias, at Williamsport. Formerly he was a member of the Grange.

Portraits of Benjamin F. Alkire and Mr. and Mrs. Harry F. Alkire accompany this sketch, being shown on preceding pages. Elsewhere in this work is shown a view of the Alkire home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN ALKIRE, one of Williamsport’s leading business men, manager of the Heffner Grain Company, incorporated, of this city, was born at Williamsport, Pickaway County, Ohio, September 10, 1868, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Simons)

; Alkire, and a grandson of Michael Alkire, who was the founder of this prominent family in i Ohio.

Michael Alkire was born in Kentucky in; 1771. There he married Dorothy Phebus, on; January 6, 1793. They had three children 1 born in Kentucky and seven more after set-; thing in Ohio. In 1800 they removed from Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Pickaway County, Ohio, Michael Alkire securing large tracts of land in Deer Creek township. He erected the old log cabin of two rooms which remained: the family home for a long term of years and 1 in which he spent the remainder of his life.

I The historic old structure was demolished in 1906. Michael Alkire died February 1 1, 1843. i and his wife, on May 11, 1854.

Alexander Alkire, father of our subject and son of Michael, was born at Williamsport, Ohio, but later removed to Mount Sterling and now lives retired at Washington Court House. He was an early volunteer in the Civil War and his faithful service continued almost to the close. He was a member of the 26th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., which was a part of the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in all the great movements, marches and battles, which culminated in the notable “March to the Sea.” Mr. Alkire survived the many hardships of war but returned home hH-toO

MR. and cCOLLISTER and SON.

with health undermined and he has never regained his former robustness. For some years he has lived in quiet retirement. He married Elizabeth Simons, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and they had seven children, the four survivors being: Charles C., a resident of Big Plain, Madison County; George W., of Columbus; Abraham Lincoln, of this sketch; and Harry S., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Greenfield, Ohio. Mr. Alkire has been a lifelong Republican.

Abraham L. Alkire was about eight years old when his father moved to Mount Sterling, where he attended school and later became a member of the family of W. Wesley Sidner, residing in the vicinity of Mount Sterling. Mr. Alkire completed his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, then returned to his former home and soon after was married. He then settled at Ashville, where he engaged in a real estate and loan business for a few years, after which he removed to Woodlyn, Deer Creek township, locating here in 1895. He purchased the Betts elevator, which he operated alone until July, 1900, doing a very large grain, coal and implement business. He then rented this elevator to the Woodlyn Grain Company, which also had the S. W. Dunlap elevator. He owned a third interest in this company and was concerned here until October, 1904. Mr. Alkire then sold the property and for a time was out of business.

In the spring of 1905 Mr. Alkire erected a fine home at Williamsport, and took possession on the first of the following July. This is one of the most spacious modern homes of the town and is equipped with every convenience conducive to comfort. It is heated by a furnace and is lighted by acetylene gas. On July 15, 1905, Mr. Alkire assumed the management of the business of the Heffner Grain Company, incorporated, an important enterprise at Williamsport, with which he has since been identified.

On February 2 2, 1891, Mr. Alkire was married to Mary J. Hughes, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Roljert and Emily T. (Durrett) Plughes, and a granddaughter of the late J. W. Durrett, formerly a prominent citizen of Sciy oto township. The father of Mrs. Alkire was the founder of the grain business at Millport, on the Ohio Canal, and after the railroad went through Ashville he built an elevator which he operated until his death in 1890.

Mr. and Mrs. Alkire have three children, namely: Maud, born March 18, 1893; Mabel, born August 8, 1895; and Minnie, born August 10, 1896.

Mr. Alkire-has always been a Republican, fie is a very popular citizen as was shown in November, 1905, when he was re-elected to the position of justice of the peace, in Deer Creek township, by a majority of 168 votes, the largest majority ever given a candidate in the township. He was first elected to the office in April, 1902, and served so acceptably that his re-election was the desire of both political parties.

Mr. Alkire is prominently identified with the Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of the Ashville lodge and is connected with the Williamsport lodge. A thorough business man and a good citizen, he is a worthy representative of a family which has just claims to prominence in Pickaway County.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.