William W. Sickles

SICKLES, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 5/16/2009 at 07:54:42

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 763-764

WILLIAM W. SICKLES, of the firm
of Henshaw & Sickles, Exira, Iowa,
was born in Warren County, New
Jersey, near Johnsonburg, September 21,
1855. He is the oldest son of James S. and
Henrietta M. (Ward) Sickles. William W.
passed his early school days in New Jersey,
being thirteen years old when he came to
Clarke County, Iowa; there he spent two
years. Having a taste for reading he acquired
an education beyond that of the ordinary
pupil, and without the aid of an instructor.
One winter he attended a select school, and
that practically ended his school days. For
two years he was employed as a clerk in a
hardware store, and then clerked in a dry-
goods store in Exira until 1872. After
spending two years farming he took a trip to
California. On his return he engaged in the
sale of farm implements for three years, and
then embarked in the mercantile business on
his own account. He opened a general stock
of farm implements in partnership with Mrs.
Baylor, now Mrs. Watson. This partnership
continued twenty-two months, when Mrs.
Baylor sold her interests to W. N. Henshaw,
a present member of the firm. Henshaw &
Sickles carry a full stock, and are active busi-
ness men, Mr. Sickles devoting the whole of
his time to the management of the business.
In November, 1883, Mr. Sickles was married
to Mary A. Campbell, of Exira, a daughter
of E. Campbell, Esq. Mrs. Sickles was born
in the State of Wisconsin. By this union
three children were born -- Nettle E., George
A. and Lulu Madge. Mr. Sickles is a mem-
ber of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A.
M. He owns a good farm in Exira and
Hamlin townships, which contains 200 acres;
it is an admirable stock farm, being watered
by Davis Creek. The subject of this notice
began life at the bottom round of the ladder,
but by industry and diligence he has gained
an enviable position, socially and financially,
in the county. He votes with the Repub-
lican party.