JOHN P. AND LIDA RICKERT FAMILY

John P. Rickert was born in Geneva, Illinois in 1845. He was one of eight children of John Rickert Sr. and Elizabeth (Alspaugh), who came from Orwigsburg in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His father’s family settled in Hinckley, Illinois. He married Lida McKiney in 1876 and they started farming on th eRickert farm (now 75th Street and Book road). His residence was known as “Tin Pan Alley”.

Three children were born to John and Lida: Minnie (Patterson), Adrienne (Book) and Grace (McCabe). In the fifties, John and Lida moved to town and rented the farm out, but that did not stop John from his farm work. He would drive either his buggy or wagon to the farm every day to work. Before going to the farm he would stop at Latshaw’s candy store for a sack of candy for the grandchildren.

Mr. Rickert loved the farm and the land, and one of the highlights ofhis life was to just watch things grow.

Mrs. Rickert was born in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania. At an early age she worked in the textile mills in New England. She also taught school for $17 a month.