History of Columbus, Franklin County, OH, Vol. 2
History of Columbus,
Franklin County, OH, Vol. 2
Richard C. Alkire
Richard C. Alkire, who since 1901 has lived retired in Columbus, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of the Buckeye state. He was born on a farm in Franklin township, Franklin county, February 25, 1833, a son of Jesse and Margaret (Courtney) Alkire. His maternal grandfather was the first nail cutter in Columbus. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, John Alkire, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, while the paternal grandfather, Emanuel Alkire, served in the war of 1812. The latter was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, and came to Franklin county Ohio, in the fall of 1827, settling on the banks of the Scioto river, in what at that time was a wilderness. Here he established a home and reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, Jesse Alkire being one of the number. He was born in West Virginia, December 19, 1807,(*1) and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, when a young man of twenty years. He was a public-sprited man, filling the office of justice of the peace of Franklin township for thirty-two consecutive years, and he lived to a ripe old age. He married Miss Margaret Courtney, who was born in Columbus, March 15, 1811, and she could remember when the homes here were widely scattered, and of seeing stumps along High street and on the site where the state house now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Alkire became the parents of six children: Richard C., of this review; Sarah, wife of William Nichols, a resident of Columbus; Kemper, also of this city; and three who are deceased.
Richard C. Alkire received his education in the district schools and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he began farming on a tract of rented land. After a time he purchased twenty acres and subsequently bought and sold various tracts, making a handsome profit on his investments in this way. He became the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Delaware county, which he operated for four and a half years and which he subsequently traded for town lots in Bowling Green, Wood county, whither he removed in 1890, spending two years there. Later he spent four years in Worthington, subsequent to which time he removed to Grove City. During this time he accumulated quite a competency through his investments in farm lands, so that in 1901 he felt justified in putting aside all business interests and living retired. Accordingly he took up his abode in Columbus, where he now occupies a nice residence and is spending his days in honorable retirement.
Mr. Alkire was married June 3, 1860,(*2) to Miss Amanda Watts, who was born in Franklin township, November 2, 1840, a daughter of William and Margaret (Chamber) Watts who were pioneer settlers of Franklin county, and in whose family there were eleven children, of whom five still survive, namely: Amanda, now Mrs. Alkire; Albert, a resident of Columbus; William, who lives in Jackson township; Milton, also of Columbus; and Jennie, the wife of James Haddy, also of this city.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Alkire has been blessed with seven children: Annie, the wife of John Hoover, a resident of Grove City, Ohio; Carrie, at home; Everett J., who lives in Bowling Green, Ohio; Wilbur, at Westerville; Minnie A., the wife of John Morresey, an attorney of Columbus; Alden, at home; and Emma M., the wife of R. H. Oliver, also of Columbus.
Mr. Alkire is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party and for several years served as trustee of Jackson township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father was continued by the son for many years and thus representatives of the family through three generations have been prominent in the upbuilding and progress of Franklin county, re-claming it for the uses of civilization. Mr. Alkie has seen Columbus grow from a small village and rejoices in the work that has been accomplished along various lines, and his own labors have been no unimportant factor in bringing about the advantages and conveniences that are today enjoyed.
(*1) Carl Porter reports this date as December 19, 1808
(*2) Carl Porter reports this date as June 30, 1861