KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of William W. Alkire Doniphan County, Kansas

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The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

William W. Alkire, who resides at 424 Monroe Street, Topeka, Kansas, is a retired farmer.  For more than 40 years he has been identified with this state, and most of that time has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Doniphan county, his retirement dating from 1890.

A review of his life, briefly given, is as follows: William W. Alkire was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, July 26, 1836, a son of pioneers of that county. His parents, Harmonas and Matilda (McLammore) Alkire, were natives of Kentucky, from which state they moved to Ohio, and
eight years later came from there to Sangamon county, Illinois, where they spent the rest of their lives and died.

The father was born in 1804, and lived to the advanced age of 94 years.  He was of German des-
cent.  The mother of our subject was of Scotch and English parentage, her mother having been born in England and her father in Scotland.  In his native county William W. Alkire spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools.  He remained a member of the home circle and gave assistance to the farm work until he reached his majority, when he started out to make his own way in the world.

In 1867 he came to Doniphan county, Kansas, and bought of G. Lightfoot 320 acres of choice land. He remodeled the buildings on this place, built new ones and made other improvements, keeping pace with the times and devoting his earnest efforts to farming and stock raising, with the result that is always sure to follow persistent, well directed effort in any line, success.

He raised large numbers of cattle and hogs, annually shipping to market from 1 to 3 car loads of stock. Later he purchased 80 acres more, thus increasing his farm to 400 acres. He remained on his farm, actively conducting its operations, until 1890, when he turned it over to his two sons and
moved to Topeka, where, as already recorded, he has since lived retired.

Mr. Alkire was married, in 1862, to Miss Judith Spaulding Lightfoot, daughter of Goodrich Lightfoot, of Sangamon county, Illinois.  Mrs. Alkire is a native of Alabama, whence, when very young, she was taken by her parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, where her father became a prosperous and highly respected citizen.  Mr. and Mrs. Alkire have three sons, namely: Herbert Lee, a practicing physician of Topeka, is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania; Emmett Young, who occupies the family homestead; and William Arthur, also on the home farm. 

Mr. Alkire has always shown himself to be a public spirited citizen, and at different times has filled local office.  He has for many years been a Mason, having membership in Troy Lodge, F. & A. M.
Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2004 15:38:24

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