D.H. ALKIRE, merchant, Sweetwater; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1824. Two years later, his father, J.N. Alkire, removed to Sugar Grove, in what is known as Menard Co., Ill. The father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Henderson, was a native of Virginia. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm, in the vicinity of Sweetwater, where he received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. At 21 years of age, his father gave him eighty acres of wild prairie land, and he commenced business for himself. He spent five years improving his land, when he engaged in the livestock trade and hotel business in the village of Williamsville, Sangamon Co. At the expiration of two years, he returned to Sweetwater, and engaged in mercantile business, in which he has since continued. In all of his business transactions, he has been very successful, and is what is properly termed a self-made man. He was united in marriage with Sarah Hayden in 1847. She is a native of Kentucky, and her parents were among the first settlers of Menard Co. From this union were six children, four of whom are now living - Thomas J., Mary J., Theodore and Lavina. The names of those deceased were Francis M. and Marion.