ALEXANDER RICKELTON

Alexander Rickelton, busily engaged in the cultivation of a farm of fifty acres in Dayton township, known as the West View Farm, his property adjoining Clarence, has been a resident of Cedar county since 1882. His birth occurred in Delaware county, New York, on the 22d of June, 1857. His father, William Reckelton, was a native of Scotland and after reaching man’s estate wedded Miss Agnes Anderson, a Scotch lady. Immediately after their marriage they came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which was six weeks in the making the voyage. They settled in Delaware county, New York, and Mr. Rickelton devoted his attention to farming there, making his home in that locality throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife passed away on the 22d of August, 1890. Their family numbered five sons and two daughters, of whom three sons are now living, the brothers of our subject being Anderson, a resident of Red Oak, Iowa, and James G., of Jerome, Idaho.

The youthful days of Alexander Rickelton were spent upon the homestead in the usual manner of farm lads of that period. He had good common-school advantages and divided his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. In 1882 he came west to Iowa and established his home in Cedar county, where he secured employment as a farm hand by the month. After working in that way fro a few years he removed to Ida county, Iowa, where he and his brother opened up a new farm of one hundred and sixty acres, continuing its cultivation for five years. At the end of that time Alexander Rickelton sold his interest ot his brother and returned to Clarence.

Here he was married on the farm which is now his home, the wedding being celebrated on the 14th of February, 1895. The lady of his choice, Miss Luella Claney, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Claney, also a native of the Buckeye state. Her mother, Mrs. Charlotta (Wallack) Claney, was born and reared in Holmes county, Ohio, and in the year 1861 Mr. Claney and his wife came to Cedar county, Iowa. For a few years he engaged in the cultivation of rented land and then purchased a farm in Dayton township, which he developed and improved throughout the years in which he was rearing his family upon that place. He later sold the farm to his sons and bought a smaller tract of land, a part of which is within the corporation limits of Clarence and which is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rickelton. Mr. Claney owned thirty acres here and to its development he gave his attention until his life’s labors were ended in death on the 27th of May, 1895. His wife survived him for three years and died in 1898. Their family numbered two children. The only son, A. D. Claney, is a business man of Stanwood, where he has been engaged in the lumber trade for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Rickelton began their domestic life on the West View Farm and he has since purchased twenty acres adjoining the original tract. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of timber and pasture land in Cedar county. He has remodeled the house, built a corn crib, has fenced his land and now has good and substantial improvements upon his place. The breeding and raising of pure blooded Jersey cattle constitutes an important factor of his business and is, moreover, a gratifying source of income. He sold twenty-five head of cows in 1909. He also engages to some extent in dairying and the different branches of his business are proving a gratifying source of profit.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rickelton were born twins but both died in infancy. Well known in this county, they have many warm friends and theirs is a hospitable home whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by the many who know them. Since attaining his majority Mr. Rickelton has voted with the republican party and he also entertains strong prohibition principles, for he has ever been an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, which he endorses both in practice and percept. He has been elected and served for one or more terms as a member of the town council. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Clarence, in which he is serving as an elder, while with the various auxiliary societies of the church Mrs. Rickelton is connected. Their influence is ever given on the side of progress, righteousness and truth. Mr. Rickelton is Known as a man of good business ability as well as of unfaltering integrity. Duty that devolves upon him is promptly discharged and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement which is calculated to advance the best interests of the towns and country.