For more information on the Wm. Knight family, contact Richard at ypsi@webcoast2coast.net
Biographical Sketch: WILLIAM HICKMAN.
Was born in Randolph county, Indiana, in March, 1831. Learned the carpenterâs trade in his youth. Settled in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1851. After three years lie laid aside his tools and engaged in farming. Came to Seward county in 1868, and was one among the first to settle in B" precinct. Resided on the farm and improved it until the summer of 1887, when he moved to Seward and embarked in merchandising. Mr. Hickman was twice elected to represent his County in the legislature, was a member of several important committees, and was accounted one of the most valuable members. Is a stalwart republican. Was always considered as one of our leading farmers, and now is one of our leading businessmen. Married Miss Louisa E. Moffit, in 1853 and they have children as follows: Charles F., Arlepha A., Eldora E., Barclay M.. Alice E., and Elzena, who died in 1877. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Has by industry and careful management got one of our best improved farms. ~ The History of Seward Co., Nebraska, Chapter XIV
The History of Seward Co., Nebraska, CHAPTER VI.
History of Precincts from "A" to "P" - Their First Settlements - Including Historic Letters from "A" by E. W. Olney - From "B" by F. M. Timblin - From "G" by James A. Brown - From "N" by I.M.K. Johnson - From "P" by Mrs. H. W. Parker, and from "G" by Mrs. Sarah F. Anderson."B" PRECINCT.
The ten first settlers in "B" precinct, or town twelve north, range three east, were as follows: John D. Hickman, in 1867; William, Joseph, Andrew, Henry, and Wesley Hickman, Thomas Poore, and Duncan McVaine, in 1868; John Quillon and F. M. Timblin, in 1869.
13. Tamar Moffitt
Death Claims County Pioneer
Mrs. Tamar C. Hickman Dies Last Evening After Long Illness from Pneumonia
Mrs. Tamar C. Hickman died last evening at 11:30 o'clock after a long illness suffering from pneumonia which followed a complication of ailments. Death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. O. Browning.
The death of Mrs. Hickman takes from the community a pioneer resident who has lived in Jasper county for 70 years.
Mrs. Hickman has been in failing health for the past five years. She has during that time been tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. W. O. Browning, with whom she had made her home during the time of her illness.
Mrs. Hickman was the daughter of Stephen Moffitt, who came to Newton in 1852. Mrs. Hickman loved to tell of her coming to Iowa from the east. She said that on her fifteenth birthday her parents and their family crossed the Mississippi river. They visited for a short time in Henry county and then came on to Jasper county and settled near Newton on the farm now owned by Mrs. Clara Moffitt. Mr. Moffitt also owned around 1,000 acres of government land.
Tamar Moffitt was married to George W. Hickman September 1863 in Newton by William Skiff, father of Vern Skiff. Immediately after their marriage they moved on the John Hickman farm in Sherman township where Mr. and Mrs. Hickman raised a family of four children. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman were both active members of the Congregational church and took a great interest in church work until Mr. Hickman's death 13 years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Hickman celebrated their golden wedding anniversary while they lived in Newton. They left their farm home in Sherman township and moved to Newton 19 years ago and Mrs. Hickman remained here until five years ago when her health broke.
Besides Mrs. Browning she leaves one other daughter, Mrs. William Deutch, of Greencastle avenue, Newton and one son Stephen Hickman, who lives on Greencastle avenue, and one brother H. L. Moffitt, of Metz, also survives. The family is not certain whether Stephen, a younger brother is living, for the family has lost account of him. Mrs. Hickman also leaves 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. One son, H. H. Hickman, died two years ago.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Morgan Funeral Home at 1:30 o'clock. Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church, will have charge of the services.
Burial will be made in the Newton cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa, April 13, 1923, page 1
George W. Hickman
In the death of George Hickman Newton lost one of its oldest and most respected citizens. He was born near Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana, July 2, 1836. In 1851 he came to Iowa with his parents who settled in Henry county. In the following spring, that of 1852, the family moved to this county and lived on a farm in what is now Sherman township.
Five years later, September 17, 1857, he married Miss Tamer C. Moffitt, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Moffitt, who have long since passed on. They lived on the farm three miles west of Newton, which is now a part of the farm belonging to their son, E. B. Moffitt.
After their marriage they went to housekeeping on a farm in Sherman township, and lived there until eight years ago when they came to town and planned to spend the remaining days here enjoying the fruits of their long years of work.
They were the parents of six children. Four survive the father. They are Rev. Stephen Hickman, of Ogden, Utah, pastor of the Presbyterian church; Prof. Harlan H. Hickman, an instructor in the State Normal at Wayne, Nebraska; Mrs. William Deutsch of this city and Mrs. O. W. Browning who resides on a farm northwest of Newton.
Mr. Hickman was the youngest child of a family of ten children. Only two of the family now remain. One is William Hickman of Seward, and the other is John D. Hickman of Aurora, Nebraska.
While David Brown was pastor of the Presbyterian church in this city, the subject of this sketch made a profession of religion and united with that church. About fifteen years ago he transferred his membership to the First Congregational church, where the funeral was held Thursday, August 17, the pastor, Rev. A. B. Appleby, having charge of the service. ~ Newton Journal, Newton Iowa, August 24, 1910
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George HickmanMr. Hickman died in the early morning of Monday, August 15, at his home on Greencastle avenue. He had not been well since mid-winter. In March his condition began to cause his home folk some alarm but they, as well as the patient himself, hoped that when the warm, bright summer days came he would improve and possibly regain his usual health. This was not the case. His was an organic trouble which failed to yield to treatment.
Both sons visited him during his illness. The son from Nebraska was in the home a couple of months and only left a few days before the end came, thinking that his father was somewhat improved.
The daughters have been most faithful attendants in the sick room helping the mother in ministering to the sick one, and when death came, helping her and comforting her in her sorrow.
Of Mr. Hickman it can well be said, "He was a man of high standing in the community, a gentleman of the old school whose genial disposition, kindness of heart, and thorough uprightness of character have always commanded the highest esteem of everybody coming in touch with him. Among his wide circle of kindred and those of his more intimate friends and associates - those who knew him best - he was regarded with tenderest affection and to them his death comes as a great sorrow".
Many attended the funeral. Among them were Rev. Stephen Hickman of Ogden, Utah, and the other son, Prof. H. H. Hickman of Wayne, Nebraska; the grandson, Bertrande Hickman of Omaha, Nebraska; Mr. Eli Hickman and daughter of Whitten, Iowa; Mrs. Frank Marshall of Union; Henry Hickman of Lincoln, Nebraska; William Hickman and Madge Whitmore of Seward, Nebraska; Mr. Fred Hickman of Eldora and Albert Cook of Beaman, Iowa.
The singers were Bert Hickman, Ivan and George Kelly, Arthur Deutsch, Albert Cook and Fred Hickman. The first four were grandsons. Fred Hickman was a nephew and Albert Cook always looked upon Mr. Hickman as a father for he was his guardian several years after his own father died. ~ Newton Journal August 24, 1910
Died: Lone Hickman..Hickman - In Sherman township August 30th, 1878, of Inflammation of the bowel and Peritoneum, Lone Hickman, son of Geo. W. and Tamer Hickman, aged 17 years. Poem..They laid him to his rest away,.Beneath the green and leafy arch,.And o'er his grave at close of day,.The stars took up their silent mark...And from the glowing western skies,.The new moon threw her mellow light.Til earth glowed with unnumbered,.From myriad stars so softly bright...The soul obscured by worldly gloom.Though fitted for all joys supern?.Shall burst the letters of the tomb,.And bask in rays of light eternal..H.
Newton Journal, September 5, 1878
59. Josephine "Jossie" Rebecca Hickman
Josie Hickman (Josie compiled much of this information on the John Hickman family above on May 3, 1942. She lived in IA at the time).
Pioneer Settler Dies Here After 12 Hour Illness
h. L. Moffitt, pioneer of Jasper county and one of the first members of an Iowa Grange and a member of the second Grange to be organized in the United States, died at his home in Metz, Thursday evening at 8:30 o'clock.
Mr. Moffitt was taken ill yesterday morning at 8:30 o'clock with apoplexy and died just 12 hours later. He was apparently in very good health and was able to be about his home much in the usual manner.
Mr. Moffitt was 84 years of age the ninth of this month. He came to Jasper county when but a small lad and for many years lived north of Newton. He also resided in Nebraska for a short while. At one time Mr. Moffitt was one of the largest land owners in the county but as he advanced in years he sold out.
His death also marks the loss of another veteran of the Civil war for he enlisted when but a lad in the twenty-eighth Iowa infantry where he served with distinction.
Friends in all parts of the county will learn with sorrow of his deth for he was a man prominent in all of the outstanding activities in the community. He was especially proud of the achievements of the Granges in which he played a prominent part. At various times, too, during his life he served in township offices.
Mrs. Moffitt, preceded him in death about a year ago. He leaves his children, Curtis Moffitt, Hugh Moffitt, Lewis Moffitt, Mrs. C. E. Gist, and Mrs. Julian Kating. One son Horace, died some years ago.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the Morgan Funeral home. ~ The Newton Daily News, February 20, 1925, page 1.
Pioneer Settler Passes Away
Funeral Services to Be Held Tomorrow Afternoon at 2 O'clock at Morgan Funeral Home.
Mrs. H. L. [Sarah Elizabeth Green] Moffitt, one of the early pioneers of Jasper county, died Sunday evening after an illness of several weeks suffering from infirmities due to her advanced age.
She and Mr. Moffitt came to Jasper county 57 years ago in a prairie schooner from Missouri on their honeymoon trip and settled on the farm now occupied by the Lewis Moffit family. This was known as the Moffitt homestead and it was there that they resided until 12 years ago when Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt moved to a farm in the Metz neighborhood. All their married life was spent in Jasper county with the exception of three years they lived in Nebraska.
Mrs. Moffitt was the true type of pioneer womanhood. She endured the hardships forced upon the early generation which settled the middle-west and like all made many sacrifices in aiding in the building up of Jasper county. The Moffitt family has been one of the oldest and among the most influential residents of the county. Mrs. Moffitt enjoyed the love and respect of a large circle of friends and relatives who will feel a distinct loss in her death.
She is survived by her sons, S.E. Moffitt, H.E. Moffitt, Lewis Moffitt, her daughters, Mrs. C. Gist and Mrs. T. J. Kating, all of Newton and vicinity. She also leaves her brother Calvin Green, of Moberly, Missouri and one sister, Mrs. J. H. Hickman, of Newton.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at Morgan's Funeral Home.
Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church, will have charge of the services.
The remains will be interred in the mausoleum. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton Iowa April 14, 1924, page 1.
Obituary: Mrs. S. W. Sims
Mrs. S. W. Sims passed peacefully away to her rest, after a lingering illness, about eight o'clock Tuesday morning, May 9, 1905, at her home 4 miles west of this city. Two years ago last winter Mr. and Mrs. Sims went to California to spend the winter hoping it would be beneficial to her health, which at that time was not good, although it was not considered anything serious.
Mrs. Sims was a true wife and mother, holding her home and family cares close to her heart, she yet found time and was always ready and willing to help and car for those in sorrow and trouble. And whenever one heard her friends and neighbors speak of her illness and suffering, it was always with the greatest pity and love for her and each one told of some kind deed of love she had performed for them.
Mrs. Sims' maiden name was Elizabeth Moffitt. She was born June 30, 1857 near Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana. When seven years of age she came with her parents to Marion County, Iowa. On January 1, 1880, she was united in marriage to Mr. S. W. Sims and since that time her home has been in this county, at the old home where she died.
She leaves besides her husband two sons, Otis the eldest who married and with his family has been making his home with his parents, and Walter, the younger son, a junior in the law department at the State University, but who was with his mother much of the time during the last few weeks of her illness.The funeral was held at the home yesterday, May 10, the services being conducted by Mr. A. Engle, the interment being in Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, May 12, 1905.
EARLY RESIDENT OF COUNTY DIES SUDDENLY TODAY.S. William Sims Succumbs to Attack of Influenza at Newton Home.
Was One of First Children Born in County and Lived Practically Entire Life in This Community
William Sims, a life-long resident of Jasper county and one of the first white children born in this community, died at his home at 117 West Eleventh street South this morning. Death came following a week's illness with influenza.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Morgan funeral home and burial will be in the Sugar Grove cemetery. Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church will conduct the rites.
Born in 1856
Squire William Sims was born in Newton, Dec. 22, 1856 and was the son of Squire Shelby Sims and Elza Jane Christy. His father and mother were among the first settlers of Jasper county, opening a government grant of many acres west of Newton. For many years the Sims home was the only one in the western half of the county and at various times pioneers who arrived too late to build were welcomed into the Sims home, where they lived until spring and were able to construct homes of their own.
Reared in an atmosphere of hospitality at a time when the pioneers depended upon each other to guarantee their safety during the lean years on the frontier, Mr. Sims never outgrew the spirit of the early days. He was identified, as was his father, with the early history of the county, and was always raised as one of the substantial farmers of the community.
He was one of a family of seven children, two boys and five girls. His only brother, James Sims, who was a well known Prairie City man, preceded him in death, as did three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Houck of Newton, Mrs. Cornelia Kennedy of near Metz and Mrs. Mary Jane Ramsay of Nebraska. Two sisters survive, Mrs. Elza Moffitt of Nebraska and Mrs. Rebecca Ellen Holliwell of Colfax.The old homestead near Metz was the home of Mr. Sims until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moffitt, when he moved to an 80 acre farm adjoining the land of his father. To this marriage two sons were born, Otis E. Sims of Newton, and Walter Sims of Florida, both of whom survive.
Farmed all of Life
Mr. Sims was a farmer during practically all of his life, managing the farm on which he started housekeeping and later purchasing the old homestead from his father. He moved to the homestead and spent the remainder of his life there, with the exception of a few years. He had been living in Newton for the last one and one-half years.
He always took an active interest in the welfare of the community and the nation but did not take an active part in political affairs, although he served for a number of terms as both a school director and school trustee in Sherman township.
In 1905 his first wife died and several years later he was married to Miss Lena B. Scott, of this county who survives him. ~ The Newton Daily News, April 5, 1928.============================================================
Sims Funeral Services HeldFuneral services were conducted at the Morgan funeral home yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock for S. William Sims who died Thursday morning at his home at 117 West Eleventh street South. Death came following a week's illness of influenza.
Dr. G. C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church had charge of the services and burial was in the Sugar Grove cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Hitchler, John Miller, Andrew Pink, Charles Botsford, George Baker and P. A. Pink. Music was furnished by John Hitchler, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Kenner, and Viola Edwards, accompanied on the piano by Leora Emmack.
Among those attending the funeral services from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fitzgerald of Ames, George Halliwell of Mitchellville, C. R. Albee of Jefferson, Ia., and William Whitted of Monroe and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Taylor of Prairie City. ~ The Newton Daily News, April 9, 1928.
History of Seward Co., Nebraska, Chapter 9
STOCK FEEDERS.
Stock feeding has grown to be an important industry in this county. There are being fed at present from thirty-five hundred to four thousand cattle, and a corresponding amount of bogs. The principal feeders are Phillip Unitt, Simeon True and Brown, General True, Marsh B. Palmer, David Palmer, H. Nabb, E. M. Hickman, C. J. Wright, C. M. Gorden, Frank W. Upton, Jacob Mundhenke, Joseph D. Speltz, John Williams, Lewis Anderson, E. M. Olney, John D. Olney, Warren W. Brown, and J. N. Edwards.Erastus joined the Union Army in 1861 along with his cousins, Wesley, Andy and Henry Hickman.- Mac at TwigsNTX@aol.com
Obituary
George W. Hickman, Jr. one of Newton's worthy citizens, died at 12 o'clock Friday night at his residence in this city.
His illness, beginning eight or nine weeks ago with pneumonia, caused his friends gravest fears, but subsequently his condition was such that great hopes were entertained for his recovery until a week ago when suffering a relapse, and weakened as he was by constant pneumonia and suffering with bowel and stomach troubles his condition again became serious from which there was no change for the better, and the end came quietly and gently as falls the evening.
Mr. Hickman was born at Campbell, Kentucky, June 2, 1847. He was brought up by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. North, his mother having died when he was six years old.
When but seventeen years of age he enlisted n the cause of his country and served one year in company C, 23r regiment, Kentucky volunteer mounted infantry. During this year he was taken prisoner and confined fro three months in Libby prison, where with many others he suffered great privations and where it is thought his health was permanently injured.
In September 1867, he united with the Methodist church at Asbury Chapel, near Newport, Kentucky. Two years after this he came to Jasper county, Iowa, and sometime afterwards transferred his membership to the First Methodist church of this city.
In 1878 Mr. Hickman was united in marriage to Miss Jane Hickman at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melville [sic Samuel J.] Hickman, three miles west of Newton. To them was born one son, Cliffor Melville who is now the comfort of his bereft mother.
To us another true, upright, business man, a kind friend and brother and a loving husband and father has answered the last roll call.
The funeral was held at the Methodist church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. J. w. Hackley officiating. The interment was in the Newton cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa, April 3, 1905, page 1.
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1860 Campbell Co., KY; Jamestown District; Newport PO
Series: M653; Roll: 360; Part: 1; Page: 709
448-450
David North 62 M Farmer NC
Hester 57 F NC
Elizabeth 23 F NC
Hickman, George 12 M NC *****
Information provided by Linda Arnold.
Melville Hickman Dies Sunday
Melville C. Hickman, 74, lifelong Jasper county resident, died early Sunday morning in Newton.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00a.m. Wednesday at Toland Funeral home with the Rev. Bruce Myers of Free Methodist church officiating.
Survivors are three cousins, Delphia, Charles and Ray Hickman, all of Newton.Mr. Hickman was born to George and Jane Hickman in Jasper county Dec. 15, 1883. He never married.
Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa, November 10, 1958, page 6.
Mrs. Hickman of Newton.Succumbs This Morning
Mrs. Sarah V. Hickman, 81, pioneer Jasper county resident, died at 2:45 o'clock this morning at Skiff Memorial hospital.
Mrs. Hickman had come to Jasper county from Ohio when she was only eight years old, and has lived in this area since.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Morgan Funeral Home in Newton. Rev. E. A. Briggs, pastor of the First Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Metz cemetery.The daughter of Samuel E. and Mary Bone Marshall, Mrs. Hickman was born Feb. 20, 1867 in Ohio. She was married to Z. N. Hickman Mar. 6, 1889.
She was a member of the First Methodist church in Newton, the American Legion auxiliary and was a Gold Star Mother of World War I.
Survivors include three sons, D. R. Hickman and C. E. Hickman of Newton and W. G. Hickman of Pasadena, Cal. Her husband died in 1903, and two other sons and a daughter also preceded her in death. Other survivors are a sister, Mrs. George A. Brock of Monroe; a brother, C. O. Marshall of Newton; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. ~ The Newton Daily News, May 24, 1948
Delphia Hickman Dies Sunday; Rites Tuesday
Delphia R. Hickman, 82, of Rest Haven, a lifelong resident of Jasper County, died Sunday morning at the Skiff Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Loehr Funeral Chapel.
The Rev. Paul A. Madden of the Church of the Nazarene, will conduct the services. Burial will be in Metz Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. today.Survivors are a niece, Mrs. Carroll Eichner of Kilduff; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Charles Hickman of Newton; a brother Glen Hickman of Westminister, Calif., and three nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
Mr. Hickman was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
He had been employed by Bruce Cleaners.
The son of Zimriah and Sarah Marshall Hickman, he was born Dec. 25, 1889 at Newton and attended Newton schools. ~ The Newton Daily News, July 31, 1972
Died
Valura Maude, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neely Hickman, Friday, March 8, 1895, aged 2 years, five months and twenty-five days.The funeral was held Saturday from the Kennedy schoolhouse conducted by Rev. E. C. Brooks. Interment in Metz cemetery. ~ The Newton Record, March 15, 1895
84. Roy C. Hickman
Memorial stone in Sugar Grove Cemetery
Roy was a Private in the 337th Field Artillery, 88th Division duringW.W. I. He died in the Royal Hospital in France.*