RICKSHER, Joseph - 1890 Bio (1843-1922)

RICKSHER, MOENER, CARPENTER, CLINE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/22/2007 at 18:56:09

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 601-602

Joseph RICKSHER, wholesale dealer in butter and eggs, of Fairfield, Iowa, established business in that city in 1871, and his house has now gained a wide reputation, being one of the leading enterprises of Jefferson County. The proprietor is a native of Prussia, his birth having occurred near Paderborn, February 17, 1843, and a son of John and Catherine (MOENER) RICKSHER. His mother died when he was but a child, and in 1854, in company with his father he crossed the broad Atlantic to America. On landing on the shores of the New World they came directly to Iowa, settling in Lee County. Joseph was educated in the common schools, and in August, 1862, when a lad of nineteen summers, enlisted for the late war as a member of Company I, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, and served nearly three years. He was a non-commissioned officer and with his regiment participated in the battle of Gaines Bluff, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign, including the celebrated March to the Sea under Sherman. At the close of the war he took part in the Grand Review in Washington, and was mustered out of the service in June, 1865.

Soon after his return from the South, in 1866, Mr. RICKSHER embarked in his present line of business in a small way, his location being Ft. Madison, and by good management he increased his trade until he was the recipient of a handsome income from an extensive business. In 1871 he came to Fairfield, where he has since continued operations in the same line with marked success, and with increased resources he extended his business. In 1882 he established a branch house in Brighton, Washington County, with T. L. Emry as partner, under the firm name of RICKSHER & Emry, wholesale dealers in butter and eggs, and proprietors of the Brighton Creamery. The annual business of the Fairfield House is $150,000 and that of the Brighton establishment is about the same, giving a total of $300,000. In addition to the business already mentioned our subject is half owner of a fine farm of five hundred and ninety-three acres situated in Fairfield Township.

On the 11th of September, 1878, a marriage ceremony performed in Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, united the destinies of Joseph RICKSHER and Mrs. Caroline CARPENTER, widow of Richard CARPENTER and a daughter of George and Elizabeth CLINE. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Ohio. She is also a native of the Buckeye State and is a member of the Congregational Church. Their union has been blessed with four children, sons, all born in Fairfield, namely: Charles, born October 9, 1879; William, December 5, 1881; Frank, May 20, 1884; and Theodore, September 21, 1886.

Mr. RICKSHER is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or desired the honor of emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to the legitimate pursuit of business. He is a man possessed of superior executive and business ability, enterprising yet conservative, always guided by correct business principles and strict integrity. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and his success in life has been the result of his own unaided efforts.

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