My Genealogy Hound

H. L ALKIRE, M. D.
H. L. Alkire, M. D., dean of the Kansas Medical College, at Topeka, one of the leading specialists on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, has been associated with this well-known medical institution since the year of its organization. He is a native of Illinois, born near Springfield, November 17, 1862, and is a son of W. W. and Judith (Lightfoot) Alkire.

Although our subject was born in Illinois, he was developed in Kansas, where he received district school and university training. After three years of the latter, he read medicine under Dr. D. J. Holland, of Atchison, for 18 months and then entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated with his degree, in 1887. He practiced in Western Kansas until 1889 and then settled at Topeka, where he continued in general practice until 1895. Finding his greatest professional interest to be in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, he took a course in the New York Polyclinic School, returning to Topeka in 1896. Since then he has made a specialty of the above diseases and has met with great success in this line. Since 1904 he has been dean of the Kansas Medical College, having been connected with this institution since its organization, first as professor of chemistry, then in the chair of anatomy, and at present fills the chair of anatomy and otology.

Dr. Alkire is a member of all the leading medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the Kansas State Medical Society, the Shawnee County Medical Society, the Northeast District Society, the Golden Belt Society, and the Society of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology. He is also a Mason of high degree, having passed through the order’s higher branches, and belongs to other fraternal orders. Dr. Alkire was married at Omaha, Nebraska, to Emma V. Somerlott, who was born in Maryland.