Minerva Bell Wickham (1861-1931)

WICKHAM, ADAMS, ARRASMITH, PHILLIPS, CERKA, BUNKER, JESSUP, ABBOTT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal September 19, 1931 (page 3)

Final Rites Held for Pioneer Teacher

Special to the Journal.
Zearing, Sept. 19--Final rites for Miss Minerva Wickham, 70, pioneer Lincoln township woman longtime teacher of the rural schools of Story county, were held at Bethel Evangelical church, Zearing, Tuesday afternoon, the services being conducted by her pastor, Rev. C. A. Claypool.

Interment was in the Zearing cemetery, by the side of her aged parents who had passed on before many years ago.

The pallbearers at the funeral were John Campbell, A. L. Grimm, A. P. Couser, Roy Vinsel, Manley Dakins and Sam Oaks.

The flowers were in charge of Mrs. Manley Dakins and Mrs. W. C. Brouhard, while the music was by a mixed quartette consisting of L. B. Womeldorf, Mrs. Mabel Mosteller, Mrs. Myrtle Martin and L. F. McBride, with Mrs. W. C. Young at the piano.

In commenting upon her life, the pastor read the following obituary:

"Under a bright September sun, with the trees, beneath which she had lived, breathing a prayer about the place she had so long called "home," as relatives and friends were gathered about her, Minerva Belle Wickham, passed on to her crowning, as a reward for a noble, self-sacrificing life, on Saturday, September 12, 1931.

She was born Jan. 30th, 1861, in Norfield, Tompkins County, New York, the daughter of Horatio C. and Pauline Wickham, one of most highly respected pioneer families. She grew to womanhood on the old homestead, and at an early age took up the profession of teaching.

She in common with other teacher of that period had to avail herself of the privileges of the country schools, finishing at the Teachers Training school, at Nevada. She did not limit her teaching to the ethics of school education but taught those principles which instilled into the minds of her pupils the duties of better citizenship. And among those who knew her best her teachings were greatly appreciated and will long be remembered. Her early pupils are now scattered far and near in homes of their own.

After spending many years in her chosen vocation, which was truly successful in every way, she turned her attention to the care of her aged mother and father. This work being completed she spent the remainder of her days in the long cherished home, she loved so dearly, and in which she rounded out a life of noble servitude.

She leaves to remember her the following brothers and sisters: W. R. and C. O. Wickham, Mrs. Mary Adams, Mrs. Lydia Arrasmith, Mrs. Jennie Phillips, and Mrs. Lula Cerka of Zearing; Mrs. Eliza Bunker, Edinburgh, Tex.; Cornell Wickham of Floyd, Va., and John L. Wickham of Eu Gallie, Fla.; besides a number of nephews and nieces also a host of neighbors and friends. Her father, mother, two brothers Frank and Robert, also two sisters, Mrs. Etta Jessup and Mrs. Hattie Abbot preceded her in death.

She was a charter member of Bethel United Evangelical church, a faithful member to the end.