Rickert Joseph

Joseph W. Rickert, who is engaged in the practice of law in Waterloo, was born in Vicksburg, Miss., on the 9th of July, 1840. His parents were Andrew and Margaret (Slundin) Rickert, the former a native of Alsace, France, and the latter of Bavaria, Germany. The father came to America in 1832, landing in New York City, whence he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and then to New Orleans. After seven years spent in the latter city he went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he met and married Miss Slundin. Eight years were spent in Vicksburg, and in 1845 he came with the family to Monroe County, Ill., locating south of New Design, where he had purchased a farm. To the cultivation of his land he devoted his energies until his death, in 1880. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rickert were born six children, five of whom are still living. The eldest died in infancy.

Our subject was but five years old when with his parents he came to this county he acquired his early education in the old time subscription schools, and at the age of seventeen entered the St. Louis University, pursuing the classical course. He remained in college until the death of his mother, in 1860, when he returned home and taught a nine month's term in the public schools of Waterloo. In September, 1861, however, he returned to the university, where he remained until 1864, when he graduated with the degree of A.B. After taking his post-graduate course, he received the degree of A.M., in 1869. On his return home, he engaged in teaching for about a month in Monroe County, and then took charge of the schools in Central City, Ill. While there he began studying law with H. K. S. O'Melveny, a prominent attorney, with whom he continued until June, 1865, when he again came to Waterloo, and began studying law with James A. Kennedy.

In the fall of the same year, Mr. Rickert went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he spent the winter, and on his return in the spring he took charge of the school near his home. He continued to teach until 1868, when he went to Chester, Ill., and became a student in the law office of Johnson & Hartzell. On the 4th of December of the same year he was admitted to the Bar, and in the spring of the following year opened a law office in Waterloom where he has since been successfully engaged in practice. In the fall of 1869 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, which position he filled for four years. In the autumn of 1874 he was elected a member of the Twenty-ninth General Asembly from the Forty-eighth District, and took a very active part in furthering the interests of legislation. He was prominently connected with the passage of road laws for counties not under township organization. In 1876 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and filled that office for eight consecutive years.

Mr. Rickert was united in marriage May 23, 1873, with Miss Minnie, daughter of Gottlieb Ziebold, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and came to this county from California, Mo., in 1867. Unto our subject and wife were born the following children: Josie L., Minnie E., Nelson A., George F., Luella C., Charles J. and Isabelle M. George F. and Isabella M. died in infancy. Mrs. Rickert is the Treasurer of the Frauen-Verein, a religious and social organization, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the World's Fair for Monroe County. She has been a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband and a devoted mother. Two of the children, Josie L. and Minnie E., are attending the Sacred Heart

Convent of St. Louis. Both are fine musicians, Josie L. and Minnie E., are attending the Sacred Heart Convert of St. Louis. Both are fine musicians, Josie L. as a pianist, and Minnie E. as a violinist and the former is also a fine linguist.

Miss Mary M. Ziebold, a sister of Mrs. Rickert, entered their family in 1873, when a maiden of eight summers. Under the direction of her sister of Mrs. Rickert, entered their family in 1873, when a maiden of eight summers. Under the direction of her sister she was carefully educated. She early developed a taste for music, and after graduating from the high school and teaching for a short time she turned her attention to that art. For a time she studied under Madam K. Broadus, and then on the advice of Professor Gilmore, the noted leader of the famous Gilmore Band, she decided to prosecute her studies in Milan, Italy, where she is at this writing. She will graduate from the Royal Conservatory of Music in French and Italian music in June, 1894, and will then go upon the stage as an opera singer in this country.

Returning to the official life of Mr. Rickert, we note that in1888 he was elected State Senator for a term of four years, and served in the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh General Assemblies. He was one of its prominent members and served on the judiciary and other important committees. He regularly attended all sessions, and never failed to vote on the measurers before the House. He prepared the bill whereby $10, 000 was appropriated for the purpose of moving the pioneer dead from the burying grounds at Kaskaskia to the cemetery at Ft. Gage. He ever labored for the interest of his constituents, and proved a capable and efficient Senator. He was one of the famous "One Hundred and One" who stood so nobly by John Palmer for United States Senator in 1891. When his term had expired, he was prominently mentioned in the leading Democratic papers for the office of State Auditor. His labors for the advancement of this community have resulted in its material progress, and the business interests have been greatly promoted through his efforts.

Mr. Rickert has been connected with the Commercial Bank of Waterloo since its organization and is a Director of the Waterloo Milling Company. He also owns about nine hundred acres of fine farming land in this county. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and while serving on the School Board for fifteen years he did much for its advancement. For about ten years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Waterloo. He is now building a commodious and comfortable residence in the eastern part of the city, and in this home, which has been provided through his own labors, he hopes to spend his remaining days. He is probably the most prominent citizen of Monroe County, and the influential position which he has won among his fellow-men has been gained through merit and is well deserved.