WILLIAM RICKCORDS

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 739-740.

          William Rickcords, of MeLeansboro, was born in Deal, County Kent. England. March 21, 1819, and was " a man of Kent," which gave certain privileges over what was known as " a Kentish Ulan." He is the son of John find Elizabeth (Morris) Rickcords, natives of England. Our subject came to America with his parents in 1834 and located at Buffalo, N. Y.  He had secured in his native county, what would here be called a high school education. Until 1844 be followed bookkeeping in the American Hotel of Buffalo, then came west to Chicago and engaged in the Lake House in the same capacity for three years. He then conducted the Sherman House for three years, and afterward followed the, business in "Now York State "and city. In 1855 he came to McLeansboro, and started E 1. Tinkham Company's bank, in which be was cashier until it closed out in 1863, paying up in full. Since Men be has been engaged in loan and real estate business here, with deserved success, and was always interested in the growth and welfare of city and county. He is a large land holder, owning about 1,500 acres of good Hamilton County land. June 1, 1857, be married Sophronia Lockhart, born in Saline County May 20, 1827. They have adopted two children: John Frazier, and Alice, wife of R. D. Lasater. He has always been a stanch Republican and an active Union man during the late war.  He is an Episcopalian in religious faith, and was instrumental if organizing and building the church here.