RICKER, Samuel [1883]

RICKER, SHEPARD, SPEAR

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 13:17:24

Samuel Ricker came to Mitchell county in 1868 and purchased a farm in Union township, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to Osage, his present place of residence.

He was born in Somerset Co., Maine, June 12, 1818, and was the son of Levi and Betsy (Spear) Ricker. Levi Ricker was a house carpenter, and the second settler of New Portland, Maine. He was a man of strict integrity, and his word, once given, was regarded as good as a bond. Samuel recalls his once promising to make a payment for his land on a certain day, and walked, barefooted, nine miles over frozen ground to meet it and keep his word. Samuel was reared on a farm and received his education in the pioneer schools of his native State.

He went to Dover when nineteen, and in 1842 married Mary L. Shepard, a native of Dover, born Feb. 21, 1820. In 1868 they emigrated west. They were the parents of three children, only one of whom is now living—Frank A.

Mr. Ricker is a radical republican. He commenced life a poor boy, but industry, frugality and economy have brought their just reward, and he now enjoys the fruit of his labors in a competency.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 435.