Dove Alkire, ♊

Dove was the son of William Leazenby & Ary Ann Toothman Alkire. He was one of twelve children, and a twin to his sister, Lovely, who went by Love.

The exact year of Dove and Love's birth is uncertain. Dove used to say that he was born the year that Jesse James died (1882). However, his draft card and social security card show 1881, and his twin sister's gravestone in Rush County, Kansas says 1881. Family was once told that Dove backed up his birth year by a year to have a better chance of avoiding the World War I draft.

Dove married Maud Walden on July 15, 1908, in Larned, Pawnee County, Kansas. Dove and Maud began their married life in Allen County, Kansas. They moved to Butler in about 1912-1914, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Dove purchased the old Star school, cut it up, and moved parts of it to his land on West Dakota Street where he built a three-room house.

Dove worked as a laborer and was known far and wide for being a championship fiddle player.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 1 2020, 1:41:41 UTC