HICKENBOTTOM, James - 1890 Bio (1829-1887)

HICKENBOTTOM, FERGUSON, MOBERLY, ALLISON, RESTINE, RISTINE, DEAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/9/2007 at 19:59:54

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 607-608

James HICKENBOTTOM, deceased. Among the earliest and most highly esteemed pioneers of Jefferson County is numbered the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Kentucky, September 23, 1829, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (FERGUSON) HICKENBOTTOM. His father was also a native of Kentucky, born in 1802. But his mother was a Carolinian by birth and first opened her eyes to the light of day in 1799. In early life she emigrated to Kentucky with her people and there became the wife of Mr. HICKENBOTTOM. About 1823 the young couple removed to Jacksonville, Ill., where for some fifteen years the husband carried on the shoemaking business. In 1838 he emigrated to Jefferson County, Iowa, making a first location near Brighton, but soon afterward he secured a claim where Parsonville now stands, which is still held by the family. Possessed of good foresight and sound business judgment, he turned to good account nearly every business enterprise with which he was connected. Beginning life a poor man he labored on successfully until he had accumulated one thousand acres of land. He not only had to overcome the disadvantages of poverty, but lack of education proved an obstacle in his path, but like all other difficulties in his way he overcame this. He could not read at the time of his marriage, but by personal effort he mastered the common branches of learning and became a fairly well informed man. Politically he was a life long Democrat. In 1862 his wife, who for thirty years had been a member of the Methodist Church and was a consistent Christian lady, passed to her reward. After her death he married Mrs. MOBERLY, widow of Dr. J. T. MOBERLY. His children, eleven in number, were all by his first wife. He died in 1882.

James HICKENBOTTOM, the subject of this sketch, inherited in full measure the business capacity of his father. As the schools in this neighborhood at that day were of the poorest sort, the most of his knowledge was acquired by reading and observation, and experience was to him a faithful teacher, by whose lessons he profited to the welfare of his financial resources. Among his first business enterprises was a trip to the pineries of Wisconsin. Borrowing ten dollars he went thither and began work. At length he prepared a raft of lumber, but a rise in the river and a flow of ice (sic) swept it all away. He was not disconcerted however, for no obstacle so large arose in his path but what he could find some way to surmount it. His whole career was marked by indomitable perseverance, and success was consequently attendant upon his efforts.

Mr. HICKENBOTTOM was also fortunate in his matrimonial alliances as to the ladies of his choice, he being three times married. The wife of his early manhood was Jane C. ALLISON, a native of Washington County, Pa., born April 20, 1830. She was the mother of all his children -- ten in number. His second wife was Mary RESTINE (sic - RISTINE), after whose death he wedded Susan L. DEAN, a native of New York City and a most estimable lady.

Mr. HICKENBOTTOM engaged in farming during the greater part of his life, but his last years were spent in Fairfield in the loan business. He took an active interest in political affairs and was a strong advocate of Democratic principles. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the Masonic Order and of the Old Settlers Society. In all those organizations he had hosts of warm friends, and his circle of acquaintances and friends embraced many outside of those organizations. He died September 18, 1887, respected by all who knew him. In his death Jefferson County lost one of its earliest settlers and most useful citizens.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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