Rickard, Phebe Jane 1831-1917

RICKARD, NICHOLS, MILLS, JAMES, MORRIS, WARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/7/2012 at 14:45:16

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Feb. 2, 1917

OBITUARY.

MRS. PHEBE JANE RICKARD

After eighty-five years of earthly existence, fruited with ripe deeds of a good life, with tired human longing for the joys of the eternal illuminating the wasted features, the soul of Sister Rickard departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Morris, Jan. 28, 1917.

The memory of her good deeds lives on in the circle in which she was best known. The end came peacefully and without great sufferings; a merging of the finite into the infinite unseen by earthly eyes.

Jane P. Nichols was born at Hillsborough Bridge, N.H., June 25, 1831. When 6 years old she moved to Mansfield, Vt., with her mother. At the age of 16 she went to Chicopee, Mass. After remaining there eight years she was married to Alvin Rickard on Nov. 20, 1855, at Chicopee, and came west to Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa. She had the care of three children: Martin Rickard, Susan D. Rickard (Mills), and Ruth S. Rickard (James.)

After remaining in Lyons a few years, they moved to Tiskilwa, Ill. In 1869 they moved to Chester Center. Two daughters were born to them, Mary Idel Rickard (Morris), and Letitia E. Rickard (Ward.)

In 1853 Mrs. Rickard united with the Baptist church in Chicopee. Rev. Warren Lincoln was its pastor. On April 6, 1873, she united with the Congregational church at Chester Center, Rev. G.H. White being pastor, and held her membership until her death.

Alvin Rickard died Aug. 31, 1874; Martin Rickard died April 18, 1898.

Another pioneer has gone to her reward. Peace be to her in her well earned rest. She was a great lover of home and never was more happy than when she was sitting at the easel with paint brush in hand. She has left to her children some very fine pictures and fine needle work that will remind them of the things she loved.

She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Geo. Morris, and Mrs. Samuel Ward; six grandchildren, Howard Ward, Dr. Alvin Ward of Garvin, Ia., and Margaret at home, also Clara Ada Morris, Moreau Morris, and Phebe Ella Morris, and a host of friends to mourn her loss.

Friends present at the funeral from away were: Alvin and Howard Ward, from Garvin, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Nichols, from Owasa, Ia., and Mrs. Susan D. Mills, of Peoria, Ill.

There was a great profusion of floral offerings given by the following friends: Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Mowitt, Mrs. T. Stangeland, W.E. Sears and family, L.C. Sears and family, Chester Cemetery association, friends of the Chester church, Chester Royal grange, Mrs. T.A. Armstrong, Charles and Emma Edelblute, Ladies' Aid society of Newburg, Mr. House and daughter, and friends of Sonora church.

The funeral services were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Geo. Morris, conducted by Rev. R.F. Lavender of Newton, Ia., and interment was made in the Chester Center cemetery.