Harry Fremont Alkire

As printed in 1906

ARRY 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 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.