OBIT: John L. ICKES, 1880, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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John L. Ickes Deceased.

  Last evening the venerable man best known as "Dr." Ickes died at his 
residence on Ninth avenue, near Twelfth street.  He was a most 
eccentric individual and full of queer ways.  He did not like to be 
disturbed and during his last illness would not for weeks allow any one 
to come in his room for the purpose of cleaning it, and at last, 
although his son was entirely willing to care for him, he would only 
submit to force.  The deceased was quite well advanced in years and one 
of Altoona's oldest residents.  A friend says that when he worked on 
the canal in 1844 he knew Mr. Ickes as a store keeper beyond the Three 
Locks, between McVeytown and Lewistown.  It must have been shortly 
after this that he left there, as he has lived in Altoona ever since 
the railroad ran through here.  He has been twice married, surviving 
both wives.  There are left of the family a son, Jesse B. W. Ickes, and 
a daughter who we believe lives in the West.  A gentleman well 
acquainted with Mr. Ickes says that he acquired the titled of "Doctor" 
through one of his little peculiarities.  During one of the small pox 
epidemics he saw the physicians traveling around vaccinating people.  
In a short time he also obtained some vaccine virus and went to work 
with it on the arms of his neighbors.  No arrangements for the funeral 
have yet been made.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, December 28, 1880

CITY AND COUNTRY.
Things Briefly Told.

  The late Dr. John L. Ickes, who died lately in this city, was a son 
of Nicholas Ickes, the founder of Ickesburg, Perry county.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, January 6, 1881