Andrew D. Rickets

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: DUNCAN, HAVERFIELD, RICKETTS, TAYLOR

ANDREW D. RICKETTS, grain dealer and shipper of stock at Fisher, became a resident of the village in 1878, to which he removed from Ford County, this State. He is the son of John C. and Catherine (DUNCAN) RICKETTS, the latter a sister of the Confederate General, Duncan, who commanded the forts at New Orleans during the siege of that city by the Union troops. The father was a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania. After marriage the located in the Buckeye State, and Mrs. Ricketts died in Hancock County, in 1855. The father of our subject is still living, and a resident of Lincoln, Neb.

The parental household comprised five sons and one daughter, Andrew D. being the eldest. His birth took place in Hancock County, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1843, where he was reared and pursued his studies in the common school with the intention of entering college. This plan, however, was frustrated by the outbreak of the late war, the patriotism of young Ricketts inducing him to lay aside his personal interests to assist in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted directly after the first call for troops in April, 1861, becoming a member of Co. F, 21st Ohio Vol. Inf., and serving with the three months’ men. At the expiration of that time, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, doing duty in the field until the fall of 1864.

During this time our subject participated in many of the important battles of the war, being present at the siege in front of Petersburg and Richmond, which, as is well known, engaged the troops for the summer of 1864, when they were constantly under fire. While many of his comrades were falling around him, however, our subject escaped unharmed, and at the expiration of his term of service, received his honorable discharge. Returning to Ohio he engaged in buying and shipping stock until the spring of 1873, when he came to McLean County, this State, and after residing at Saybrook one year, removed to a farm in Ford County, upon which he operated four years. Not quite satisfied, he then came to Fisher and engaged in his present business. His elevator here has a capacity of 15,000 bushels, and being in constant use is the source of a good revenue. Besides this property he also has 526 acres of finely improved land in Brown Township, much of it adjoining Fisher, and chiefly devoted to grain and pasturage.

Mr. Ricketts is always full of business, and when not engaged in his own affairs is looking about to do some good turn to a neighbor or his community. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Ricketts being Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and working in many other ways for the good of the cause and the prosperity of the Church society. He is Republican in politics, and a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Fisher Lodge No. 704.

The marriage of our subject took place in the town of Findlay, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1867, when Miss Nancy J. TAYLOR, daughter of Thomas and Agnes (HAVERFIELD) TAYLOR, became his wife. Mrs. Ricketts was born in Findlay, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1844. In due time there came to the household thus established seven children, all living and bearing the following names: Charles K., Howard T., Gilbert, Dolly, John T., Clifton and Clara. The family residence is pleasantly located, and our subject and his wife are numbered among the first citizens of the village.