Joseph Kingsley Pickett 1824-1898

PICKETT, WEBSTER, LIVERMORE, WILCOX, CUNNINGHAM, KLOTZ

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/26/2021 at 08:04:30

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, December 22, 1898
Page 1

After a sickness extending over a period of seven years or more, Professor Joseph Kingsley Pickett is at rest at last. The end came Sunday night last. His funeral took place from the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon, interment at Columbus City. His parents came from Massachusetts at the time of their marriage, to Andover, Ohio, when that part of the state was wilderness. Here to them were born 12 children, of whom Joseph was the oldest son. Eight of these, five brothers and three sisters survive him; one of these, a sister, being over 80 years of age. These are Mrs. Emily Webster, Winneconnee, Wisconsin; Mrs. Harriet Livermore, Benton, Wisconsin; Mrs. Sarah Boynton, Pittsville, Wisconsin; Aaron, Ashtabula, Ohio; Waldon and Henry, Andover, Ohio; Samuel, Millbrook, Michicgan and Marvin D., Okemore, Michigan.

He was born in Andover, Ohio, August 9, 1824. June 26, 1853, he was married to Miss Amelia C. Wilcox, at Shalinsville, Portage county, Ohio. To them were born two sons and three daughters, four of whom survive. These are Mrs. Emma Cunningham, Vinton, Iowa; Samuel W., Columbus Junction; Mrs. Olive P. Klotz, Chicago, and Harriet H., Columbus Junction.

Mr. Pickett's entire life, almost, has been devoted to the work of education. Before engaging actively in this work he had served several years on the educational board of his county. Among his associated then was then was James A. Garfield. He took up public school work at Alliance, Ohio, in 1857. Went to Decatur, Illinois in 1860. Returned to Alliance in 1861. From there to Corry, Pennsylvania, in 1867. Came to Independence, Iowa in 1872. Thence to Sigourney in 1874, where he remained ten years, when he came to Columbus Junction. This remained his home until his death.

He united with the Congregational church when quite young and remained a member until his removal to Sigourney where he united with the Presbyterian church, there being no Congregationalist church there. He ever afterwards remained a member of that church. He was sympathetic, loving, generous and tender-hearted as a child. He always gained and retained the affections of his pupils to a remarkable degree.