Rickard, Elmer T. 1869-1941

RICKARD, CARTER, WELLS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/12/2010 at 10:25:26

ELMER T. RICKARD
PIONEER CHESTER RESIDENT
PASSED AWAY TUES., JULY 22

Elmer T. Rickard, son of Martin and Anna M. Rickard, was born January 15, 1869, on the farm in Chester township which his father secured under the original homestead act. He passed away Tuesday, July 22, 1941, at his home five and a half miles north of Grinnell, and only a short pace from the place of his birth.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. W.B. Wilson were held at the Chester church Thursday afternoon, with burial in Chester cemetery. The singers were Mrs. Lester Hendrickson and Mrs. Clarence Vogt, with Jeanne Foster accompanist. The pall bearers were Ralph Sherman, Porter Fuller, T.A. Harris, J.J. Dempster, William Hays and R.E. Pepoon.

Mr. Rickard attended country school in District No. 5 and later had two years at the Grinnell College academy. When he was 16 years of age he was kicked in the back by a horse, causing complications from which he suffered during the remainder of his life.

On April 4, 1907, he was married to Miss Ella I. Carter at the home of the bride's father in Lamar, Mo. At that time he was operating the home farm, but because of poor health he sold the stock and other farm property, moved to Grinnell and for about a year was the proprietor of a livery barn.

In 1908 he sold his livery business and bought a section of land near Texhoma, Texas. Here the family resided until 1910, when he disposed of the property, moved to a farm in Missouri and in 1912 returned to the Chester farm where he was born. He continued to operate the farm until 1919, when he bought the prestnt home where he and Mrs. Rickard have since resided.

His home and his church were Mr. Rickard's two chief interests. When he was yet a boy he united with the Chester Congregational church, and in all the vicissitudes and changes through which he passed, remained loyal to the faith of his early years. He held some office in the church almost continuously--trustee, deacon, Sunday School Superintendent--and contributed generously both of time and money that the work of the church that entered so largely into his life might prosper.

Besides the devoted wife he is survived by their only child, Ruth, now Mrs. Willard Wells of Westfield; two brothers, Alvin R. Rickard of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Henry M. Rickard of Grinnell; one sister, Fanny R. Rickard; and two grandsons, Richard Allen and Larry Lee Wells.

The life of Elmer Rickard was an open book to Chester people. All of his 72 years, except six, were build solidly into the Chester community. He was as much a part of it as the church, the farms or cemetery where he will sleep. Quiet, thoughtful, neighborly, patient under trial and deeply religious always, he has left a fine heritage of uprightness to his day and generation.