Jickling, William R.

JICKLING, CUTHBERT, DAY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/1/2009 at 07:43:45

Jickling, William R.

The maxim "Through struggle to triumph" holds good in every locality and while it is true that many aspirants to fame and fortune fall exhausted in the "fierce conflict which men call life," a few by their inherent force of character and strong mentality, rise above their environment and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the goal toward which their face was set through the long years of struggle that must necessarily precede any accomplishment of great magnitude.

Such has been the history of William R. Jickling, a successful farmer of Sherman Township, Jasper County. He was born in Barry County, Michigan, June 9, 1864, the son of John D. and Susan (Cuthbert) Jickling. Robert Jickling, the paternal grandfather, who was a native of England, emigrated to Canada in 1836, and there the father of the subject of this sketch was born, and in the Dominion his parents spent the rest of their lives. Susan Cuthbert, mentioned above, was born in England and when thirteen years of age she immigrated to the United States and selected Michigan as her future home. She was accompanied by her parents, who died in that State. John D. Jickling moved to Michigan in an early day and there he married. In 1863 he moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and here he worked at his trade of harness-making for three months, then bought eighty acres in Sherman Township, which he broke and improved and erected substantial buildings on it. Here he has prospered, being a hard worker and a good manager, and he is now the owner of four hundred and fifty-four acres in one body, constituting as good and desirable land as the Township affords. Since 1903 he has lived in the village of Ira, where he has a fine home. His family consists of five children, four of whom are living.

Politically, the elder Jickling is a Republican, but he has never been very active in public affairs.

William R. Jickling was reared on the home farm and there he worked when a boy, attending the public schools in his district. He remained at home until he was thirty-four years of age, working with his father; in fact, he still works with him a great deal. In 1891 be bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Sherman and Poweshiek Townships, and he has made extensive improvements on the same, including a large, convenient and attractive home and good outbuildings, and he has met with a large measure of success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has added to his original purchase until he now has four hundred and twenty-two acres in Sherman, Poweshiek, Independence and Mound Prairie Townships. He raises and feeds a great many cattle and hogs.

Politically, Mr. Jickling is a Republican, but is not a public man, preferring to devote his attention to his large farming interests, though he is always ready to support any measure looking to the general advancement of his community.

On March 5, 1898, Mr. Jickling was united in marriage with Clara Belle Day, a native of Story County, Iowa, and the daughter of Jackson and Maria Day, who came to this County from Indiana. Her fathers death occurred in 1889, his widow surviving until 1903. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jickling, namely: Ethel May died in infancy and Florence Fay, born August 23, 1900. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 822.