The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-29


turned to the states. He then went to Bos-
ton, handling patent rights one year. then
travelling with the same. He finally set
tied in Indianapolis, Ind, where he owned
a store for the sale of useful patent inven-
tions, in which he was successfully engaged
several years. Having good opportunity
to sell out, he took position as business
manager of the leading democratic paper
the Sentinel. In the fall of 1867 he married
his first wife and went to California by the
Nicaragua route. He remained in San
Francisco three months, engaged in an adj
vertising scheme in which he cleared over
500 daily. He then started to return to
the East, and during the journey his wife
was one Of the passengers of the Santa De
Cuba" which was stranded on the bar at
Absecum Beach, near Long Branch, N. j..
Mrs Kicker and seven others were drowned
through the capsizing of the boat. Mr.
Kicker went to Vermont with her remains,
which were buried in the Groton cemetery,
whose lot has received as good care as any
in the cemetery. After a short time spent
at home, he returned to his old position on
the paper in indianapolis. One year from
that time he married his second wife in
Cincinnati, Jennie Shield, daughter of the
celebrated George Shield who was one of
the best engineers of that age, having built
several boats for the Ohio river and several
pumping engines for the Cincinnati water
works. The first, which he built at the age
of eighteen years, is still in practical opera.
ton. He built the 100.inch cylinder engine
known as the George Shield engine. After
Mr.. Ricker's marriage he started the Indi-
ana Journal of Commerce, which soon be-
came very popular, recognized as being the
best commercial paper published west of
New York. During his stay in Indianapo-
lis he built fine residence. After seven
wears of successful business, he went to st.
Louis and bought out the st. Louis CONNER.
cidl Gazette. After seven years of prosper
GUS business he sold out to his partner
with the intention of establishing manu-
facturer's paper, feeling an interest in use
full inventions. He grasped the chance to
buy out the patent right of the zone
Minute Coffee Pot" which was adapted to
the use of fine ground coffee, whereby large
saving could be effected to the consumer
BY experiment and improvement he soon
became the introducer of pulverized coffee
From that time to the present he has been
successful, through agents, in introducing
millions of the celebrated pots. Mr. Kicker
is actively engaged in business at 60 Warren
street, New York city, living in the City
of Churches, Brooklyn.
Isaac NJ. Kicker is pretty good fellow
and pays one hundred cents ON the dollar
He was born in the old homestead and has
been engaged in the lumber business at
Groton for the past thirty years.
Benjamin Kicker, born in 1915 and now
living in Groton, commenced business
when seventeen years of age. He went to
Boston with a car of lambs in company
with his brother William, making 1925 each.
He was in the cattle business several years,
and was successful. He then went into the
lumber and bark business, remaining in that
fifteen years, after which he returned to the
cattle business, in which he is now engaged.
He welded Helen Plummer in 1864. Ten
children were born to the family, four dying
while young. OF those living, Maggie mar
ried John Darling, merchant III Groton;
Ira married Nora Eastman in 1889, and is
fp1 for MOI ia1
Smith; Vangie married Walter Green, a
merchant at Green, r. L. BERTHE and Frank
are unmarried.
Nathan Kicker was born in 1916 and
spent the first of his life in farming and
numbering business at Groton. Moving to
Ryegate, he rented the Gray farm three
years, then bought the farm known as
"White Clover" where he now lives. He
has made good farming record receiving
the best of prices for his butter. He mar
ried Carrie Henderson, who died in 1880.
Two children were born by his first wife
William and one who died in childhood.
He married as his second. wife, Maggie Lums-
den, in 1884, One child, Carrie. has been
born by his present wife. Mr.. Kicker
showed his brother at the gathering that he
could yet turn handspring.
Harry Kicker was born in Groton. He
went to Wells River to work in a store
when young. From there he went to Dan
vile and engaged in the same business He
Unou went 10 bOSUOu, travelling LOT several
OF the leading wholesale dry goods stores,
after which he returned to Wells River and
went into the business for himself, staying
there three years. He then went to Mime
apolis, Mimi, and engaged in the whole
sale tea and coffee business and is still en-
gagged in it. He married Kate A. Bruce in
1875, and the fifth anniversary of his mar
riage was celebrated by the birth Of Flor
ence.
Ella Kicker was born in 184S and has
spent most of her time at home. She at
tended Newbury Seminary at Newbury,
now known as the'Vermont Methodist Sem
mary at Montpelier, and also Peacham
Academy, receiving good education. She
married Moses II. Whitehill, son of Deacon
James Whitehill, in 1872. Mr.. Whitehiil
was in company with his brother-in-law,
Charles Kicker, several years in the lumber
business. He has spent the past fifteen
years in the same business. Two children
have been born to the family-Harry c. and
George W.
Charles Kicker was born in 1916, and at
tended the common schools and Peacham
Academy. The first part Of his life he was
engaged in business with his brother-in-l law,
Moses Whitehill, teaching in the fall and
numbering in the winter. He was in COM
pany with his brother Isaac twelve years,
numbering. He married Charlotte Vance in
1879. He bought the home farm. three years
ago, where he now resides. Six children
have been born to make the home happy
James. Myrtle, Inez, Ethel, vergia, and
Isaac NJ, I'd.
Everett Kicker was born in 1885, and
passed his youth at home. When the war
broke out he enlisted in the Sixth Vermont
regiment Being taken sick with fever, he
died in service. 1t was impossible for the
family to find his remains.
Ira M. Kicker was born in 1871, and died
in 1843 of cankerrash.
Rose Kicker married Oscar Beckwith
dying six years after her marriage. Two
children were born, both now dead.
Alfred Kicker was born in 1887 and died
in 1S43 OF cankerrash.
The Kicker family, taken as whole, is
one of the best-known in Caledonia county,
and the name Of "Ricker" has always
stood for business integrity and enterprise
OF the large family of sons whose lives are
briefly sketched in the story of this family
reunion, all have achieved financial sue
cess in life, and have accumulated property
valued at from $1,000 to $50 600 Such
family reunions as is herein described are
altogether too infrequent in this busy
and work-a-day world, and when they oc-
cur are deserving of more than passing
mention. Pleasant memories of this glad
day will remain with the members of the
Kicker family long after she in who's,
honor they gathered shall have joined the
silent majority. Most truly can it be sale
of this venerable and worthy woman, he