The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-01

The death Of this gentleman, which oc-
Cured on yesterday morning at his resi-
dence, in Buckingham county, will give
grief TO many hearts in Virginia and some
even beyond her bounds.
Mr.. Ficklen was born about the year
1880 In or near Winchester, In this State,
and was trained up as boy in the mercan-
tile business OF Joseph Sherrard, who was
an old and esteemed merchant OF that town.
In early manhood he removed to Frede-
ricksburg with his widowed mother, q
brother, and several sisters, where he soon
entered the dry-goods business, and after
wards became a member OF the prominent
dry-goods firm OF lIoomes, Ficklen &
Wallace, in Fredericksburg.
About the year 1857 he removed TO Rich
mond and became II partner In the dry
goods business OF Mr.. j. B. Watkins, un-
der the firm Of Watkins 81 Fickleu, occu-
pyIng one OF the fine tepements on the
present site OF the Citizens Bank. Mr..
Ficklen's energy and enterprise contributed
much to the large and successful business
OF this firm, which was terminated by the
war in 1861, and the building, whose ten
antcy was retained by Mr.. Watkins, per-
ished In the great fire OF April, 1860. Be-
tween 1861 and 1863 Mr.. Ficklen conduct
ed, with the late Warren Slaughter, OF
Fredericksburg, an auction and commits
sion business in the aforementioned store
house; after which he purchased and oc-
cupied the fine river homestead, the Z" Red
House," two miles below New Cam
ton, in Buckingham county, where,
rs stated, he died. After locating in
Buckingham, Mr.. Ficklen's fine social
qualities attached to HIM his neighbors and
county-men, so that he became popular.
He soon developed taste and peculiar
talent for politics, was several times can
didate for delegate to the Legislature, and
served two sessions i'm that body, faithfully
guarding the interests Of his constituents,
and displaying good powers for paria-
mentary debate. Full OF fire and impulse,
well read in history and general literature,
he captivated his hearers rather by the
earnestness and fluencv Of his oratory than
by its profound logic.
Like MOhett, Barbour, and others, he
was at first identified with readjustment,
but also like them united with the Conser-
yatiye Democrats, and so continued. Into
several Of the late political canyasses in the
State Mr.. Ficklen threw himself heart and
soul, visiting many counties, speaking often
to immense multitudeS, who were inspired
and influenced by his feIyid appeals. Asa
stump-s speaker he was very successful, and
i'm the estimation OF the masses often bore
off the palm from men Of much more logic
and intellectual acuteness. When flick
len, the farmer from Buckingham" rose to
speak, the yeomanry were all enthusiasm
aud attention. He was yice-president OF "A
railroad projected from New Canton to the
New Store, in this county.
For a year past Slr. Ficklen's health has
been failing, 80 that in the last canvass he
was silent from necessity; but, like an old
war charger, who smelt the battle from
aiar. he was sometimes all elate with anx-
iety to mingle once more in the fray. But
alas he was doomed TO the solitude OF a
sick chamber, for disease had too surely
undermined his delicate constitution.
Mr.. Ficklen married about 1860 a daugh-
ter Of The late William l.. Pannlll, OF
PittSylvania, who with eight or ifine
children survive him.
Since early youth he has been member
OF the Presbyterian Church.
In his home he cXempltied the virtues
OF the good father aud husband, and as a
neighbor he was kind and helpful; as Il
citizen he was public-spirited and patriotic.
Virginia may well mourn the loss OF men
OF the type of James b. Ficklen.