From the 1913 Johnson County, Iowa, History:
"Many of the pioneers of Johnson county made the trip from eastern states with teams and wagons and brought with them to the new home as many of the tools and furnishings of their former homes as they were able to bring. The journey was an interesting event in the lives of the immigrants and its incidents were never forgotten by those who planned and passed through the same. Among those who were natives of Ohio and became important factors in the life of the county mentioned above, Jacob Ricker takes a leading place. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, and was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He was a son of Henry and Ruth Ann (Kimircan) Ricker, the former of whom lived to the age of eighty-three years, dying in Iowa. Henry Ricker became a pioneer resident of Johnson county, but in later years removed to Pottawattamie county, where his remaining life was spent.
Jacob Ricker was the only son of his parents, and after reaching his majority married and brought his bride to Johnson county. They came in a covered wagon and were several weeks on the road, crossing the Indiana swamps by means of corduroy bridge roads, and enduring such inconveniences and hardships as were incidental to such journeys. The first farm they reached on the journey was at Danville, Illinois, and there they were advised to go on to Bloomington. Upon their arrival at the latter place they found the nearest market would be forty miles away, and continued upon their way as far as Peoria, in order to be near a market. Upon reaching Peoria Mr. Jacob Ricker entered the employ of U. H. Phelps and remained with him during the winter. In that year the right-of-way for a railroad had been surveyed between Peoria and Burlington, and in the spring of 1852 Mr. Phelps laid out the town of Elmwood, asking Mr. Ricker to remain in the village, but the latter had come west with the idea of engaging in farming, and declined to do so. He looked for a place to rent, and for five years rented a farm north of Winfield, Peoria county. During this time a number of towns were springing up in the vicinity, as a result of the railroad, one of which, Geneseo, was a center for Scandinavians. About 1854 Mr. Ricker went to Johnson county, where his lifelong friend, Elias Howell, father of Judge R. P. Howell, had located.
Upon his arrival Mr. Ricker set about erecting a house on a quarter section of land he had purchased from the person who made the entry from the government, the price paid being some five dollars per acre. He brought Southern money with him and this was refused by a lumber dealer in Iowa City. It was cashed by James Gowey, a pioneer, of Iowa City, doing business as a broker, a discount of twenty-five percent being charged for this process. This reduced Mr. Rickers wealth considerably, and after his lumber was paid for he had nothing to live on. His good friend, William Patterson, hearing of his predicament, took him to that grand old pioneer, Solomon Coldren, who was then keeping a store, and the latter trusted Mr. Ricker for what he wanted. The following spring he was able to pay his indebtedness and purchase a breaking team to bring the remainder of his land under cultivation, this work being done with oxen. In 1856 he returned to Illinois for his wife and children. He sold some cattle to Samuel Fry, who paid for only part, and that in Florence money. Having incurred some indebtedness at the harness store kept by Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ricker took some of this money to pay his bill, but Mr. Daniels at first sight refused to take it. He decided to do so, however, and the following May Mr. Fry paid the balance of money due on the cattle in twenty-dollar gold pieces, so no further trouble was had on that score.
While in Illinois Mr. Ricker met the Amish on their way to Iowa, and when he settled in Washington township the greeting he received was very cordial. He lived among them for a period of thirty years, and in 1884 was able to dispose of his farm at a price of fifty dollars per acre. He then moved to Iowa City to give his children better educational advantages and located on Bowery street. In 1885 he purchased another farm nearer to Iowa City, which he occupied twenty years. This farm, which comprised 167 acres, was located in Scott township, and in 1905 he sold it at a price of one hundred dollars per acre. His good wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Benjamin, was a native of Ohio, daughter of Christopher and Ann Benjamin. She died on the farm January 29, 1891, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. She bore four children: Henry, born in Peoria county, Illinois, married Mary Ann Bender; Mrs. Clarinda Jane Hamilton is the mother of Ed, Minnie M., and Willis E. Hamilton; A. W. Ricker, of Kansas, was born in Johnson county, and married Jessie Williams; James married Lucy Bruhn, of Washington township, where he was born, and they have four children--Maud, Pearl, Ida, and Maurice. Maud is the wife of Sam Moore, a farmer of Union township, and they have two daughters; Pearl is the wife of Emil Ochwalt, of Muscatine, and they have one son. Jacob Ricker thus has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In 1907 Mr. Ricker had a beautiful farm residence erected on the upper Muscatine road, east of the street highway, and his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, is his housekeeper. He is spending his declining years in peace and quietness, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences procurable, in his pleasant and well located home. He has always taken an active part in local matters. While living in Washington township he held the office of assessor several times, was trustee of that township, and served on the school board of Scott township. He was a juryman on the famous Boyd Wilkinson case, which implicated so many of the pioneers, and has also served on the jury during the trial of many other notable cases. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance in all things, and has never been known to enter a saloon or to taste intoxicants. This has been one of the reasons why he is so hale and vigorous at the age of eighty-one years. He has witnessed wonderful changes in the region since he first came to Johnson county and was closely identified with much of its earlier history. He is highly respected by all and the early settlers have many pleasant memories of his friendship and companionship during early days. His account of those days is both interesting and instructive, and his memory is most retentive.
[Since the above was written Mr. Ricker has passed away, his death occurring on the morning of June 2, 1913.]"
"Many of the pioneers of Johnson county made the trip from eastern states with teams and wagons and brought with them to the new home as many of the tools and furnishings of their former homes as they were able to bring. The journey was an interesting event in the lives of the immigrants and its incidents were never forgotten by those who planned and passed through the same. Among those who were natives of Ohio and became important factors in the life of the county mentioned above, Jacob Ricker takes a leading place. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, and was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He was a son of Henry and Ruth Ann (Kimircan) Ricker, the former of whom lived to the age of eighty-three years, dying in Iowa. Henry Ricker became a pioneer resident of Johnson county, but in later years removed to Pottawattamie county, where his remaining life was spent.
Jacob Ricker was the only son of his parents, and after reaching his majority married and brought his bride to Johnson county. They came in a covered wagon and were several weeks on the road, crossing the Indiana swamps by means of corduroy bridge roads, and enduring such inconveniences and hardships as were incidental to such journeys. The first farm they reached on the journey was at Danville, Illinois, and there they were advised to go on to Bloomington. Upon their arrival at the latter place they found the nearest market would be forty miles away, and continued upon their way as far as Peoria, in order to be near a market. Upon reaching Peoria Mr. Jacob Ricker entered the employ of U. H. Phelps and remained with him during the winter. In that year the right-of-way for a railroad had been surveyed between Peoria and Burlington, and in the spring of 1852 Mr. Phelps laid out the town of Elmwood, asking Mr. Ricker to remain in the village, but the latter had come west with the idea of engaging in farming, and declined to do so. He looked for a place to rent, and for five years rented a farm north of Winfield, Peoria county. During this time a number of towns were springing up in the vicinity, as a result of the railroad, one of which, Geneseo, was a center for Scandinavians. About 1854 Mr. Ricker went to Johnson county, where his lifelong friend, Elias Howell, father of Judge R. P. Howell, had located.
Upon his arrival Mr. Ricker set about erecting a house on a quarter section of land he had purchased from the person who made the entry from the government, the price paid being some five dollars per acre. He brought Southern money with him and this was refused by a lumber dealer in Iowa City. It was cashed by James Gowey, a pioneer, of Iowa City, doing business as a broker, a discount of twenty-five percent being charged for this process. This reduced Mr. Rickers wealth considerably, and after his lumber was paid for he had nothing to live on. His good friend, William Patterson, hearing of his predicament, took him to that grand old pioneer, Solomon Coldren, who was then keeping a store, and the latter trusted Mr. Ricker for what he wanted. The following spring he was able to pay his indebtedness and purchase a breaking team to bring the remainder of his land under cultivation, this work being done with oxen. In 1856 he returned to Illinois for his wife and children. He sold some cattle to Samuel Fry, who paid for only part, and that in Florence money. Having incurred some indebtedness at the harness store kept by Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ricker took some of this money to pay his bill, but Mr. Daniels at first sight refused to take it. He decided to do so, however, and the following May Mr. Fry paid the balance of money due on the cattle in twenty-dollar gold pieces, so no further trouble was had on that score.
While in Illinois Mr. Ricker met the Amish on their way to Iowa, and when he settled in Washington township the greeting he received was very cordial. He lived among them for a period of thirty years, and in 1884 was able to dispose of his farm at a price of fifty dollars per acre. He then moved to Iowa City to give his children better educational advantages and located on Bowery street. In 1885 he purchased another farm nearer to Iowa City, which he occupied twenty years. This farm, which comprised 167 acres, was located in Scott township, and in 1905 he sold it at a price of one hundred dollars per acre. His good wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Benjamin, was a native of Ohio, daughter of Christopher and Ann Benjamin. She died on the farm January 29, 1891, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. She bore four children: Henry, born in Peoria county, Illinois, married Mary Ann Bender; Mrs. Clarinda Jane Hamilton is the mother of Ed, Minnie M., and Willis E. Hamilton; A. W. Ricker, of Kansas, was born in Johnson county, and married Jessie Williams; James married Lucy Bruhn, of Washington township, where he was born, and they have four children--Maud, Pearl, Ida, and Maurice. Maud is the wife of Sam Moore, a farmer of Union township, and they have two daughters; Pearl is the wife of Emil Ochwalt, of Muscatine, and they have one son. Jacob Ricker thus has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In 1907 Mr. Ricker had a beautiful farm residence erected on the upper Muscatine road, east of the street highway, and his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, is his housekeeper. He is spending his declining years in peace and quietness, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences procurable, in his pleasant and well located home. He has always taken an active part in local matters. While living in Washington township he held the office of assessor several times, was trustee of that township, and served on the school board of Scott township. He was a juryman on the famous Boyd Wilkinson case, which implicated so many of the pioneers, and has also served on the jury during the trial of many other notable cases. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance in all things, and has never been known to enter a saloon or to taste intoxicants. This has been one of the reasons why he is so hale and vigorous at the age of eighty-one years. He has witnessed wonderful changes in the region since he first came to Johnson county and was closely identified with much of its earlier history. He is highly respected by all and the early settlers have many pleasant memories of his friendship and companionship during early days. His account of those days is both interesting and instructive, and his memory is most retentive.
[Since the above was written Mr. Ricker has passed away, his death occurring on the morning of June 2, 1913.]"
From the 1913 Johnson County, Iowa, History:
"Many of the pioneers of Johnson county made the trip from eastern states with teams and wagons and brought with them to the new home as many of the tools and furnishings of their former homes as they were able to bring. The journey was an interesting event in the lives of the immigrants and its incidents were never forgotten by those who planned and passed through the same. Among those who were natives of Ohio and became important factors in the life of the county mentioned above, Jacob Ricker takes a leading place. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, and was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He was a son of Henry and Ruth Ann (Kimircan) Ricker, the former of whom lived to the age of eighty-three years, dying in Iowa. Henry Ricker became a pioneer resident of Johnson county, but in later years removed to Pottawattamie county, where his remaining life was spent.
Jacob Ricker was the only son of his parents, and after reaching his majority married and brought his bride to Johnson county. They came in a covered wagon and were several weeks on the road, crossing the Indiana swamps by means of corduroy bridge roads, and enduring such inconveniences and hardships as were incidental to such journeys. The first farm they reached on the journey was at Danville, Illinois, and there they were advised to go on to Bloomington. Upon their arrival at the latter place they found the nearest market would be forty miles away, and continued upon their way as far as Peoria, in order to be near a market. Upon reaching Peoria Mr. Jacob Ricker entered the employ of U. H. Phelps and remained with him during the winter. In that year the right-of-way for a railroad had been surveyed between Peoria and Burlington, and in the spring of 1852 Mr. Phelps laid out the town of Elmwood, asking Mr. Ricker to remain in the village, but the latter had come west with the idea of engaging in farming, and declined to do so. He looked for a place to rent, and for five years rented a farm north of Winfield, Peoria county. During this time a number of towns were springing up in the vicinity, as a result of the railroad, one of which, Geneseo, was a center for Scandinavians. About 1854 Mr. Ricker went to Johnson county, where his lifelong friend, Elias Howell, father of Judge R. P. Howell, had located.
Upon his arrival Mr. Ricker set about erecting a house on a quarter section of land he had purchased from the person who made the entry from the government, the price paid being some five dollars per acre. He brought Southern money with him and this was refused by a lumber dealer in Iowa City. It was cashed by James Gowey, a pioneer, of Iowa City, doing business as a broker, a discount of twenty-five percent being charged for this process. This reduced Mr. Rickers wealth considerably, and after his lumber was paid for he had nothing to live on. His good friend, William Patterson, hearing of his predicament, took him to that grand old pioneer, Solomon Coldren, who was then keeping a store, and the latter trusted Mr. Ricker for what he wanted. The following spring he was able to pay his indebtedness and purchase a breaking team to bring the remainder of his land under cultivation, this work being done with oxen. In 1856 he returned to Illinois for his wife and children. He sold some cattle to Samuel Fry, who paid for only part, and that in Florence money. Having incurred some indebtedness at the harness store kept by Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ricker took some of this money to pay his bill, but Mr. Daniels at first sight refused to take it. He decided to do so, however, and the following May Mr. Fry paid the balance of money due on the cattle in twenty-dollar gold pieces, so no further trouble was had on that score.
While in Illinois Mr. Ricker met the Amish on their way to Iowa, and when he settled in Washington township the greeting he received was very cordial. He lived among them for a period of thirty years, and in 1884 was able to dispose of his farm at a price of fifty dollars per acre. He then moved to Iowa City to give his children better educational advantages and located on Bowery street. In 1885 he purchased another farm nearer to Iowa City, which he occupied twenty years. This farm, which comprised 167 acres, was located in Scott township, and in 1905 he sold it at a price of one hundred dollars per acre. His good wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Benjamin, was a native of Ohio, daughter of Christopher and Ann Benjamin. She died on the farm January 29, 1891, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. She bore four children: Henry, born in Peoria county, Illinois, married Mary Ann Bender; Mrs. Clarinda Jane Hamilton is the mother of Ed, Minnie M., and Willis E. Hamilton; A. W. Ricker, of Kansas, was born in Johnson county, and married Jessie Williams; James married Lucy Bruhn, of Washington township, where he was born, and they have four children--Maud, Pearl, Ida, and Maurice. Maud is the wife of Sam Moore, a farmer of Union township, and they have two daughters; Pearl is the wife of Emil Ochwalt, of Muscatine, and they have one son. Jacob Ricker thus has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In 1907 Mr. Ricker had a beautiful farm residence erected on the upper Muscatine road, east of the street highway, and his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, is his housekeeper. He is spending his declining years in peace and quietness, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences procurable, in his pleasant and well located home. He has always taken an active part in local matters. While living in Washington township he held the office of assessor several times, was trustee of that township, and served on the school board of Scott township. He was a juryman on the famous Boyd Wilkinson case, which implicated so many of the pioneers, and has also served on the jury during the trial of many other notable cases. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance in all things, and has never been known to enter a saloon or to taste intoxicants. This has been one of the reasons why he is so hale and vigorous at the age of eighty-one years. He has witnessed wonderful changes in the region since he first came to Johnson county and was closely identified with much of its earlier history. He is highly respected by all and the early settlers have many pleasant memories of his friendship and companionship during early days. His account of those days is both interesting and instructive, and his memory is most retentive.
[Since the above was written Mr. Ricker has passed away, his death occurring on the morning of June 2, 1913.]"
"Many of the pioneers of Johnson county made the trip from eastern states with teams and wagons and brought with them to the new home as many of the tools and furnishings of their former homes as they were able to bring. The journey was an interesting event in the lives of the immigrants and its incidents were never forgotten by those who planned and passed through the same. Among those who were natives of Ohio and became important factors in the life of the county mentioned above, Jacob Ricker takes a leading place. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, and was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He was a son of Henry and Ruth Ann (Kimircan) Ricker, the former of whom lived to the age of eighty-three years, dying in Iowa. Henry Ricker became a pioneer resident of Johnson county, but in later years removed to Pottawattamie county, where his remaining life was spent.
Jacob Ricker was the only son of his parents, and after reaching his majority married and brought his bride to Johnson county. They came in a covered wagon and were several weeks on the road, crossing the Indiana swamps by means of corduroy bridge roads, and enduring such inconveniences and hardships as were incidental to such journeys. The first farm they reached on the journey was at Danville, Illinois, and there they were advised to go on to Bloomington. Upon their arrival at the latter place they found the nearest market would be forty miles away, and continued upon their way as far as Peoria, in order to be near a market. Upon reaching Peoria Mr. Jacob Ricker entered the employ of U. H. Phelps and remained with him during the winter. In that year the right-of-way for a railroad had been surveyed between Peoria and Burlington, and in the spring of 1852 Mr. Phelps laid out the town of Elmwood, asking Mr. Ricker to remain in the village, but the latter had come west with the idea of engaging in farming, and declined to do so. He looked for a place to rent, and for five years rented a farm north of Winfield, Peoria county. During this time a number of towns were springing up in the vicinity, as a result of the railroad, one of which, Geneseo, was a center for Scandinavians. About 1854 Mr. Ricker went to Johnson county, where his lifelong friend, Elias Howell, father of Judge R. P. Howell, had located.
Upon his arrival Mr. Ricker set about erecting a house on a quarter section of land he had purchased from the person who made the entry from the government, the price paid being some five dollars per acre. He brought Southern money with him and this was refused by a lumber dealer in Iowa City. It was cashed by James Gowey, a pioneer, of Iowa City, doing business as a broker, a discount of twenty-five percent being charged for this process. This reduced Mr. Rickers wealth considerably, and after his lumber was paid for he had nothing to live on. His good friend, William Patterson, hearing of his predicament, took him to that grand old pioneer, Solomon Coldren, who was then keeping a store, and the latter trusted Mr. Ricker for what he wanted. The following spring he was able to pay his indebtedness and purchase a breaking team to bring the remainder of his land under cultivation, this work being done with oxen. In 1856 he returned to Illinois for his wife and children. He sold some cattle to Samuel Fry, who paid for only part, and that in Florence money. Having incurred some indebtedness at the harness store kept by Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ricker took some of this money to pay his bill, but Mr. Daniels at first sight refused to take it. He decided to do so, however, and the following May Mr. Fry paid the balance of money due on the cattle in twenty-dollar gold pieces, so no further trouble was had on that score.
While in Illinois Mr. Ricker met the Amish on their way to Iowa, and when he settled in Washington township the greeting he received was very cordial. He lived among them for a period of thirty years, and in 1884 was able to dispose of his farm at a price of fifty dollars per acre. He then moved to Iowa City to give his children better educational advantages and located on Bowery street. In 1885 he purchased another farm nearer to Iowa City, which he occupied twenty years. This farm, which comprised 167 acres, was located in Scott township, and in 1905 he sold it at a price of one hundred dollars per acre. His good wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Benjamin, was a native of Ohio, daughter of Christopher and Ann Benjamin. She died on the farm January 29, 1891, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. She bore four children: Henry, born in Peoria county, Illinois, married Mary Ann Bender; Mrs. Clarinda Jane Hamilton is the mother of Ed, Minnie M., and Willis E. Hamilton; A. W. Ricker, of Kansas, was born in Johnson county, and married Jessie Williams; James married Lucy Bruhn, of Washington township, where he was born, and they have four children--Maud, Pearl, Ida, and Maurice. Maud is the wife of Sam Moore, a farmer of Union township, and they have two daughters; Pearl is the wife of Emil Ochwalt, of Muscatine, and they have one son. Jacob Ricker thus has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In 1907 Mr. Ricker had a beautiful farm residence erected on the upper Muscatine road, east of the street highway, and his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, is his housekeeper. He is spending his declining years in peace and quietness, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences procurable, in his pleasant and well located home. He has always taken an active part in local matters. While living in Washington township he held the office of assessor several times, was trustee of that township, and served on the school board of Scott township. He was a juryman on the famous Boyd Wilkinson case, which implicated so many of the pioneers, and has also served on the jury during the trial of many other notable cases. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance in all things, and has never been known to enter a saloon or to taste intoxicants. This has been one of the reasons why he is so hale and vigorous at the age of eighty-one years. He has witnessed wonderful changes in the region since he first came to Johnson county and was closely identified with much of its earlier history. He is highly respected by all and the early settlers have many pleasant memories of his friendship and companionship during early days. His account of those days is both interesting and instructive, and his memory is most retentive.
[Since the above was written Mr. Ricker has passed away, his death occurring on the morning of June 2, 1913.]"
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