Abraham Lincoln Alkire

As printed in 1906

BRAHAM 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 History of Pickaway County, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.