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

in Groton was the Kicker reunion last
Thursday, 1t was held at the old farm,
now owned by Charles Kicker. The nine
living children of the family of thirteen
were all present to give honor to their
mother, Mrs. Orson Kicker, now eighty-two
years old The dinner was served in the
new barn, and the tables were abundsntly
loaded. 1t has been remarked by Editor
Richardson of the Davenport Democrat that
there is no family in the state that has a more
clear and honorable record than that Of the
Rickers. The old farmhouse is on one OF
the most pleasant sites in the village, sur
rounded by broad meadows and beautiful
shade trees, which extend along the road to
the next neighbours house each way. Since
Charles Kicker purchased the place he has
built new barn, which compares with the
best in the country. Mr.. Kicker is an in
dustriOus farmer, and will keep up the
record of the old place. not only in farming
but in children.
AFTER DINNER SPEECHES.
Isaac NJ Kicker was the first to speak
After presenting his namesake, Isaac NJ,
son of Charles, the first child of the second
generation born on the home farm, with
bank book for 500, payable at his major
ity, he said it is sad to relate that the for
eign boys and girls are going ahead Of
United States boys and girls. In Chicago
we see the foreign boys out on the streets
selling papers before the American boys
are up He urged the grandchildren of the
large family to be up and doing and to
keep up the reputation of the old family.
Charles Kicker in behalf of his son,
thanked Mr.. Kicker for the bank account,
and said he would do all in his power to
bring him up in such way that he would
be not only an honor to the homestead but
to the whole family.
Harvey Kicker was the next speaker
He presented his brother William with a
handsome cane made from the bark of Cali
fOrpia nina with a hanh1a % Of
Lebanon, in memory of the times of 1S49.
He spoke of his love for the old farm, and
the happy days spent thereon.
Response was made by William Kicker,
in which he gave his heartiest thanks for
the cane. He said he wanted the Jersey
COW that was presented by his brothers
to stand on the barn Of his brother
Charles until he had the best herd of Jersey
cows to be found, and was getting the best
prices. His remarks were very interesting.
After speaking of his young days and dear
father and mother, he said it gave him great
pleasure to once more meet with his
mother, brothers and sisters at the family
reunion. Mr.. Kicker was boy that dearly
loved his home, and in his old age he has
the same care for the old homestead
Frank Kicker was the next speaker. He
expressed pleasure, on behalf of himself
and wife, in being able to meet them all
in this, as well as all other former, reunions.
He also expressed the wish that the same
JnlnB might De repbdUeu LOT yet many years,
and set the example by challenging all his
brothers to kiss their beloved mother.
Remarks were made by Hon. 7. b. Hall,
who spoke of the joy he had received in
meeting with this family.
w. G. Kicker, son of Nathan Fl. Kicker
made brief remarks on the gathering, and
said that he felt proud of the family he
represented, and expressed the wish that he
had as many brothers and sisters as were
found in his grandfather's family.
Alice Kicker recited very nicely selec-
ton, which was loudly applauded.
Rev. o. NJ Boutwell, mentioned the pleas
ure he had received in meeting the different
members of the family during his stay in
Groton, and the bright prospect that was
ahead for the grandchildren.
w. A. Kicker responded for the grand
children, and in his remarks urged the
thought that it is always best to say all the
good we can of everybody, and omit what
is bad.
FAMILY RECORD.
Following is a short sketch of each men,
Der of the family:
Lydia Taisey, the mother, was married in
| 1929 to Orson Kicker, who was engaged in
different occupations, but his main business
was farming and teaming, making his trips
to Boston and return several times during
the winter months. He was always an
abolitionist in his politics. He was one OF
| the first men in Groton to advocate the
| IDEA JnaU Inc mOnUp6ll6r O. Wtlls nlNoE
railroad would be built as a connecting link
| between the Central Vermont and Pas
sumpsic. His latch-string was always out
| for any one who wished to see him, and he
was possessed Of liberal heart for all
benevolent purposes. His wife was
worthy woman and great helpmeet to
provide for the needs of the family, in her
younger days weaving her own cloth, max
ing her own clothes and saving store bills
She is still as young and ine-looking as
many of the girls Of twenty-five. She has
not an enemy in the world, and has wide
circle of friends, both old and young. She
has been member of the Methodist church
in Groton for more than fifty years, and Is
now its Oldest living member.
Elizabeth, the eldest of family OF thir-
teen, married William Vance, native OF
Groton, in 1S49, where they lived on the
cottage farm six years, then moved to
Money Creek, MINI. After living there
twenty-seven years, Mr.. Vance died, in
1882. Five children were born, one dying
in childhood In 1888, Mrs. Vance married
George Melville of Harvey, ILL.,, where they
lived most of the time and where he died in
1892. Mrs. Melville owns several good houses
in Harvey, where she now resides. She will
soon return to her western home.
William Kicker was born and educated in
Groton. At the age OF nineteen he went to
California, borrowing money of his father to
go, with the understanding that he would
pay his father back, besides giving him half
he made while away. Remaining in Cali
fornia three years, he returned home,
working on the farm in summer and attend
ing school in winter. Mr., Kicker more than
liked the girls when young, and would
thresh out ten bushels of oats, leaving the
tenth, 80 he could keep horse to take the
ladies to ride. He married Lodemia Taisey
and lived in Groton, where he owned the
first real estate and where he was engaged
in the lumber business. His first business
at buying cattle was at Orleans county, in
company with j. r. Darling buying stock
cattle and driving them to Groton, where
they found a market. He then moved to
Hardwick, where he bought land containing
lumber, which The converted into set OF
buildings, building them himself lie lived
there two years, then moved to Peacham
where lie was engaged in the cattle business
nineteen years. Thence he moved to Woods
, Vile, in 1888, where he now resides. Since
Mr.. Kicker started in the cattle business al
Peacham he has done a business OF from
$50 900 to $500 900 each year. Four children
have been born to the family, two dying
while young. OF those living is W. A. Kicker
who married Carrie Esden. He is now in
company with his father and lives al
: Peacham, where he is one of the prominent
citizens, holding many town oihces Two