 |
 OSHUA RICKETTS, Superintendent of the Coles County Almshouse, and a gentleman who for the past thirty-eight years has been closely identified with the business interests of Central Illinois, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, his birth taking place March 13, 1821. He has consequently seen more than three-score years. and has made the most of his opportunities in life. He possesses more than ordinary intelligence and business capacity, and is a man widely known and respected throughout this section of country. Our subject is the son of Joshua and Sarah (Taylor) Ricketts, the former born in Maryland Dec. 11, 1779, and the latter in Connecticut, June 20, 1781. Joshua Ricketts, Sr., was a hatter by trade, which he followed in his native State for a few years during his early manhood, and thence removed to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1813. After a residence there of three or four years he purchased a tract of land in the northern part of Muskingum County, upon which he removed and was engaged in its cultivation and improvement for a period of six years; he then sold out and purchased another farm in the same county, where he remained until his death, which occurred Jan. 2, 1833. The Ricketts family was of Welsh ancestry, and the mother of our subject of English parentage. She survived her husband twenty-one years, her death taking place on the old homestead in Muskingum County, in 1854. Both parents were devoted members of the Christian Church. Their thirteen children included nine sons and four daughters, who were named respectively, James, Mary, Benjamin, John, Samuel, Ruth, William, Calvin, Sarah A., Barnabas, Joshua, Susan and Reason. Of these but four sons are now living, the eldest being at this date (1887) eighty years old. Joshua, Jr., of our sketch, is remarkably strong and healthy for a man of his years, and preserves the brightness of intellect which distinguished him in his youth. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Ricketts, John Taylor, served seven years and six months in the Revolutionary War, a large portion of the time under the personal command of Gen. Washington, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he was wounded. He was several times wounded and captured by the enemy. Mr. Ricketts remained with his parents until thirteen years of age, and then going to Knox County, Ohio, engaged in study with a view of preparing for the ministry. His religious belief, however, met with a change, and he abandoned his first intention and for a time engaged in fanning, afterward learning the trade of a marble-cutter. He finally removed to Terre Haute, Ind., where he engaged in the marble business, and thence removed, in 1849, to Illinois. After spending a year in Clark County he came to Charleston, and established himself in the marble business, which he carried on until the outbreak of the late war. He was one of the first to respond to the call for troops, and was soon promoted First Lieutenant. He afterward took part in the capture of Island No. 10 and the siege of Corinth, where he acquitted himself in such a manner as to secure the approval of his superior officers and the admiration of his comrades. He served until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and then entered the 109th Indiana Infantry, being commissioned by Gov. Morton, Adjutant of the regiment. This regiment was mustered out after Morgan’s raid in Indiana, but at the call for 100-days’ men in 1864, Mr. Ricketts, not waiting for a commission, volunteered in the 143d Illinois Infantry, serving as Sergeant in Company A. After the close of the war he returned to his business at Charleston, and was soon afterward appointed Superintendent of the Coles County Almshouse, which position he has since held. He has occupied the various local offices of his township, serving as Assessor, and was four times elected Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he discharged with more than ordinary discretion and good judgment. The marriage of Joshua Ricketts and Miss Catherine D. Roberts took place in Coshocton County, Ohio, on the 29th of December, 1846. This lady was also a native of the Buckeye State, born March 26, 1 825. They became the parents of three children Sarah M., William W. and Cornelia M. The wife and mother departed this life Nov. 8, 1854. Mr. Ricketts was the second time married, Sept. 4, 1855, in Clark County, Ill., to Miss Malvina Jones, of Lawrence County, Ohio, who was born Oct. 24, 1834. Her parents were William and Barbara (Bumgardner) Jones, natives of Virginia, but both now deceased. Mr. Ricketts, politically, is a Republican of the first water, and was one of the organizers of the party in this part of the State. Religiously he is connected with the Universalist Church at Charleston. |
 |
| Return To Contents |
|