Charles F. Alkire
The family of which this gentleman is an honored representative is one of the most favorably known in Madison County, its members having contributed their efforts to the development of the resources of the community, and having ever been distinguished for manliness and nobility of character. It is therefore with pleasure that we invite the attention of the reader to the following brief outline of the life of one of its most widely known representatives.
Charles F. Alkire was born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, Ohio, March 4, 1860, and is a son of Abraham R. and Mary J. (Tanner) Alkire. The father, who for many years was a farmer, is now living retired in Mt, Sterling, but the mother has passed from the scenes of earth. Upon the farm which his father owned and operated, our subject passed his childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner, his time being occupied with his studies at school and in aiding in the farm work.
When about twenty-two years of age, Mr. Alkire was married, December 7, 1882, to Flora E. Heath, who was born in the township where she now lives, October 23, 1861. After their marriage, the young couple located where they still reside, and they are now the parents of two children: William, born January 29, 1885, and Clyde, September 23, 1886. The home of this happy family is an attractive and commodious residence, built in 1890, and containing all the comforts of a model home. Upon locating upon his present farm, whicli was purchased by his father and father-in-law, Mr. Alkire found the place in poor condition, but he at once commenced its improvement, putting up good fences, introducing an effective system of drainage, and otherwise adding to the value of the land. He now engages in raising, buying and selling stock, in which more than ordinary success has met his efforts. In addition to his homestead of eighty acres, he owns four hundred and fifty acres of land, received from his father's estate.
In their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Alkire are faithful and active members of the Christian Church of Mt. Sterling, and the destitute always find in them helpful and generous friends, while public measures for the benefit of the community receive their active co-operation. The principles of the Republican party are those which Mr. Alkire believes best adapted to the advancement of the Government, and he uses his influence for its candidates. Although he has scarcely readied the prime of life, he has gained the full confidence of his fellow-cilizens and in future years will undoubtedly be called upon to perform many responsible and honorable duties in the public interest.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]