Ricker, Hazen 1828 - 1910

RICKER, CUTTING, ST JOHN, CONARD, COBB, HARBART

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 12/10/2006 at 14:15:39

From the Scrapbook of Newspaper Articles by Mrs. Lillian Wheeler

Hazen Ricker was born at Topsham, Vermont, Aug. 25, 1828, and grew to manhood in the New England states. Jan. 1, 1850 he was married at Haverhill, New Hampshire, to Elizabeth I. Cutting.

They came to Iowa in 1854 settling near Davenport, where they lived until the spring of 1856 when they came with relatives to Jamestown. Mr. Ricker preempted a quarter section three miles east and 1/2 mile south of Riceville and lived there for a good many years, later moving to Riceville.

In the spring of 1882 he went to Park Rapids, Minn. which was his home until about five years ago when he returned to Riceville, building a home near that of his daughter, Mrs. A. A. St. John.

Last August he went to Park Rapids and has made his home since with daughter, Mrs. W. J. Conard. Tuesday, Feb. 8th he died of jaundice and complications and the remains were brought to Riceville Saturday for interment in the family lot beside those of Mrs. Ricker, who was buried there in June 1907.

There were five children, four of whom survive him, Mrs. A. A. St. John, Nunn, Col., Mrs. Henry R. Cobb, Red Wing, Minn., Mrs. W. J. Conard and Enos M. Ricker of Park Rapids, Minn. There are also thirteen grand children and seven great grand children, one sister, Mrs. Lydia Harbart, Port Byron, Ill, also survive him.

The deceased assisted in and was one of the charter members of the First Congregational church of Riceville and was a member at the time of his death and his life has been wholly consistent with his professions.

Incidents in connection with his life: Came to Jamestown township with the Cutting and Chandler families in 1856 and preempted government land. Ran a saw mill at what is now the Marshall Fox place and got out most of the lumber from which the early settlers' houses were built, the timber being carted from the little Wapsie. Built the ocatgon house which is still in good repair and is being used by the Burke hotel as an annex. Bought a threshing outfit at McGregor expecting to get right back but was so urged by farmers on the way back to stop and do their threshing that he did not arrive home for three months. Operated a harness shop in Riceville for some years assisted by his son Enos. Drove stage to Cresco and also to Osage in the early day.