Jehial Francis Alkire - Obituary Added by RungSat on 13 Jun 2009 Owing to an acquaintanceship of some 25 or 30 years, in which we have been able to see all sides of the character of Hial Alkire, the editor feels constrained to offer an estimate of this genial man as we saw him and knew him. First, he was a good, honest, moral and progressive citizen. He had always the moral courage to stand for the things that are right. If he gave you his promise, he kept it. We never knew him to allow self interest to warp his judgment, He stood in defense of many a man when the popular thing to do was to denounce him. He was charitable in his conclusions as well as in his giving of money. He saw thejhumorous side of things and that made him a most companionable man. His taking away is a distinct loss to the community and county and he is one of the most missed men this community ever had. J. F. Alkire Almost like the sudden impact of a human ladened ship with the iceberg did the life of J. F. Alkire encounter the dark gulf from which our instincts shrink. A sigh, a nod of the head, a few signs to show the location of great pain and unconsciousness came and after a few brief hours all was still death had come and eternity had been entered. But we do not mourn without hope. The gospel in the cross of its Great High Priest offers us a sanctuary; a sanctuary secure and abiding; a sanctuary which no lapse of time nor change of circumstance can destroy. No; neither life nor death, nor principalities nor powers. Everything else is mutable, but this citadel of the christian s hopes will never fail us. Its base is adamant; it is cemented with the richest blood; the ransomed of the Lord crowd its portals, embosomed in the dust which it encloses, the bodies of the redeemed rest in hope. Against this citadel the tempest beats, and around it the storm rages and spends its force in vain. Immortal in its nature and incapable of change, it stands, and stands firm amid the ruins of a smouldering world and endures forever. Thither has the soul of Hial Alkire flown. This hope makes his death bearable. Jehial Francis Alkire, son of Hiram and Rebecca Alkire was born in Scipio Township this County, March 26, 1857, and died June 9, 1913, aged 56 years, 2 months and 13 days. He spent his life in the count of his birth. On October 24 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth French of Harrisonville. They have no children of their own, but Miss Ruth French, niece and namesake of Mrs. Alkire, has made her home with them since 10 years old and seems like their own. Mr. Alkire was a public man, having taught school several terms before he was married and later became director of the County Infirmary which office he held five years. He was superintendent of that institution for seven years and held the same position at the Children s Home for 13 years. He had a natural faculty for obtaining and holding political office. He moved among his constituents without friction, He could be a politician without offending. His geniality made him popular with all classes. He was much loved by the children in the Home and was very sorry to have to discipline a child. As a husband he was kind and companionable. He belonged to Pomeroy Lodge F & A. M. No. 164, also Pomeroy Chapter No. 80 and Bosworth Council No. 46 and the Eastern Star No. 186. In 1882 he united with the Presbyterian Church at Harrisonville was active in Church and Sunday School work. He belonged to a family of 12 children. He had seven brothers and four sisters. His is the second death in this large family and the youngest is 33 years old. Mr. Alkire was a familiar figure and was popular with all and will be greatly missed. He is gone and he leaves us standing on the shores of that dark vast ocean upon which all shall sail so soon. May we listen to the sound of its waves until we are deaf to every sound besides and then with those solemn sounds around and before us endeavor with all earnestness and diligence to gather about us those resources of faith and piety which we shall assuredly need in the day when we shall be called to meet that enemy whom we must conquer or forever die.