Finley E. Rickey

As printed in 1909

FINLEY E. RICKEY.

A little log cabin on section 33, Lime Creek to\\ship — one of the pioneer homes of the county — was the birthplace of Finley E. Rickey. Today he looks abroad over two hundred and ten acres of rich land on the same section that is now his own property, for in the passing years he has become one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of this part of the.state, widely known in connection with his live-stock interests as well as through his development of the fields. His natal day was March 2. 1864, his parents being William and Mary (Parker) Rickey. The father's birth occurred in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1835, while the mother was born in the state of Iowa. Removing westward he took up his above in Washington county and lived here until his death, purchasing and improving the farm upon which Finley E. Rickey now makes his home. He served as a soldier in the Civil war and was a loyal advocate of the Union cause, doing everything in his power to uphold the old flag as the standard of a united nation. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he always took an active interest in politics, but did not seek or desire office. He preferred to concentrate his energies upon his Ijusiness affairs and his careful management brought him a gratifying measure of success so that at the time of his death he owned three hundred and sixty and one-half acres in Lime Creek township. He departed this life March 14, 1888, and for about two years his widow survived, her death occurring October 23, 1890. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Rickey there were eight children: Finley E., of this review: "SI. L., now deceased; Irva D., the wife of J. E. Adams, of this county: Charles, also living in this county; Rose M., the wife of D. A. Maloney, of Colorado; Ida O,, living in Denver. Colorado; Winfield S., of this county: and one who died in infancy.

Reared as a farm boy, Finley E. Rickey remained at home up to the time of his marriage. The lady of his choice was Miss Sadie E. Hamjjsber, who was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, July 18. 1870. and was a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Thompson) Hampsher, who were also natives of the Keystone state, the father's birth occurring April 20, 1844, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 12th of May, 1850. She passed away June 9, 1905, and the death of Mr. Hampsher occurred on the ist of June, 1907. Their family numbered six children: John L., living in Kalona, this county; Mrs. Rickey: Alta C. R., who is engaged in teaching school and makes her home with her sister: and three w'ho are now deceased.

MR. AXl) MRS. i-'. E. RICKEY

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rickey began their domestic life upon a rented farm which they occupied for a year, at the end of which time he jjurchased the old homestead, where he had first opened his eyes to the light <if day. I lis landed po.sse.sions now cover two hundred and ten and one-half acres on section 33, Lime Creek township, and he is numbered among the leading and progressive agriculturists, making a specialty of the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs. His work in this connection is of an important character and his business is constantly growing, bringing to him well merited and substantial success. As the years have passed the hcimr nf.Mr. and Mrs. Rickey has been blessed with four children, but the first and the third died in infancy. Vesa Ruth, born February 12, 1892, is nnw a student in the academy at Washington. Iowa. Thomas E., the youngest, was born July 10, 1905.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and shape their lives in accordance with its teachings. Mr. Rickey votes with the republican part\ and, while not a politician in the sense of office seeking nor has he ever desired political preferment, he has served as school director for about twenty years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Wellman and has the warm regard of his brethren of that fraternity. He has lived to see many changes in the county for in this day the log cabins are few, most of the farm homes being commodious and at times even palatial residences. Xo longer is the countryside covered with the native prairie grasses, but in rich fields responds to the care and cultivation of the farmer, who annually harvests good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals or meets with equal success in the raising of stock. Through the wise use of his opportunities Mr. Rickey has made steady progress and is now the owner of a valuable property, which forty-five years ago surrounded a little pioneer cabin in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.