Henry Rickert Jr.

RICKERT, HUPPNER, SWOLLEN, EFFERDING, STEWART, TEBBENS, NEIMEYER

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 18:13:32

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketches

HENRY RICKERT, JR.

A valuable farming property on sections 29 and 30, Bellevue township, pays tribute to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it by the owner and occupant, Henry Rickert, Jr., who took up his abode thereon about eight years ago. A native of this township, he was born January 31, 1871, a son of Henry and Rachel (Huppner) Rickert. The former was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, July 28, 1828, his parents being Hadwig and Hedwig Rickert, who spent their entire lives in the old country. Three of their sons crossed the Atlantic, however, the others being Fred and Joseph, who are now deceased. Henry Rickert, Sr., remained in the land of his birth until he was twenty-nine years of age, when he sought the freedom and appreciation offered by this great western world. He reached Galena, Illinois, March 1, 1857, and soon found work in the lead mines, although in Germany he had previously worked as a farm hand. He continued in that occupation for about two years, or until 1859, when he came to Jackson county, Iowa, and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Bellevue township, about two miles south of the town. It remained his home until about eight years ago, when having gained a large competence and reached the age when rest is more pleasing than labor, he removed to Bellevue, where he had bought a comfortable home on Fourth street.

In 1869 Mr. Rickert, Sr., wedded Miss Fredericka Huppner, who was born in Prussia, Germany, January 11, 1844, and came to America alone in 1861. She located in Galena, Illinois, where she was residing up to the time of her marriage. Eleven children were born to the couple: August, who is residing in Washington township, this county; Sophia, who married John Swollen and died in Zion City, Illinois; Maggie, who is the wife of John Efferding, of Washington township; Anna, who is a resident of Chicago; Paulina, who is the wife of Joseph Stewart, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Lizzie, who is living in Chicago; Henry, the subject of this review; Rosa, who makes her home in Chicago; Emma, also of Chicago; Fred, who is in Fort Wayne. Indiana; and Clara, who is also a resident of that city. When admitted to citizenship in this country Mr. Rickert allied himself with the republican party, to which he has since given political allegiance, while his religious support is given to the Lutheran church.

The public schools of Bellevue township acquainted Henry Rickert, Jr., with the branches of learning which constitute an excellent preparation for life's practical and responsible duties, and during his youth he ably assisted his father in cultivating the home farm. It has remained his place of residence to the present, for when the older man decided to retire, by training and inclination his son Henry was most able to carry on the work. In the past eight years he has proved that he is a most progressive as well as energetic agriculturist, and his fields with their numerous buildings, adequate for all the demands of modern farming, are a patent evidence of his industry, and good management. Half of the place is under cultivation and the balance is used as pasturage for the stock, for Mr. Rickert is extensively engaged in that business. The place is one of the beautiful spots of Bellevue township, for located among the hills, the ground is rolling and from several points of vantage a fine view of the Mississippi and the surrounding territory may be obtained.

In April, 1907, Mf. Rickert wedded Miss Maggie Tebbens, who was born near Andrew, this county, September 3, 1880, and is a daughter of Teb and Mary (Neimeyer) Tebbens, both natives of Germany. The former has passed away but Mrs. Tebbens makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Rickert. They have one son, Harvey. Mr. Rickert is a diligent agriculturist and his work has been executed along modern scientific lines. In his youth he learned the necessity for hard work, and his industry and perseverance have been the salient features in promoting his success.