Emanuel Alkire
Emanuel Alkire, one of the founders of the leading families of Genoa Township and for many years an honored citizen and successful farmer of Delaware County, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, February 23, 1847, and died August 20, 1902. His parents were William and Mary (Riser) Alkire.
The Alkire family is of German extraction. William Alkire was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, and accompanied his parents to Franklin County in 1827, settling on what was called Big Run near the Scioto River. His father. John Alkire, had served in the War of the Revolution. From Franklin County William Alkire came to Delaware and bought a farm of 120 acres on which he lived until his death. He was a life-long Republican in his political views. For many years he was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Emanuel Alkire was reared in Franklin County and was married August 20, 1873, to Sarah J. Rammelsburg, who is a daughter of the late William Rammelsburg, who was horn in Hanover, Germany. He came to America with his parents when he was three years old and he was left an orphan, his parents dying of cholera at Columbus. Near that city William Rammelsburg married Henrietta Clanson, also of German descent, and they had two sons and four daughters. He bought a farm of 120 acres in Genoa Township which he improved and lived on until his death. In politics be was a Democrat: in religious faith, a Universalist.
After marriage Emanuel Alkire moved on the place still occupied by his widow, having fallen heir to 30 acres of valuable land, to which he added 10 acres, putting the whole under fine cultivation, and making also all the substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire had the following children born to them: Mary, William, Florence, Emma and Jackson, the only survivor being the youngest son. Mr. Alkire always took an intelligent interest in public matters and was ever ready to promote progress and good feeling in his own community. He was a Republican in politics.
In 1906 the Alkire family, a numerous one in this section of Ohio, held a notable family reunion and representatives were present from many other States. This widely known family has always been noted for its many sterling characteristics, and those who bear the name at present are walking worthily in the footsteps of their forebears.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908