J. A. Rickert Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1132-1133 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	J. A. RICKERT, a financier of more than local reputation, is a 
native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and the oldest in a family of twelve 
children, whose father and mother were of German and Irish descent 
respectively. Mr. Rickett was born September 21, 1852, and four years 
later, with his parents, emigrated to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where 
he grew to manhood on a farm, meanwhile receiving his preliminary 
education in the district schools of that county. In 1871 he entered St. 
Vincent's College, Wheeling, West Virginia, where he pursued his studies 
for two years, meanwhile attending night school at the Bryant & Stratton 
Business College, of that city, completing the full commercial course at 
that institution. For the six years following Mr. Rickert was engaged as 
clerk, timekeeper and bookkeeper, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 
towns in Minnesota. In 1879 he came to South Dakota and took up a 
homestead in Grant county, near Milbank. In 1881 he disposed of his 
claim and with the proceeds engaged in the general merchandise business 
two years later at Corona, this state, where he carried on a very 
successful business during the ensuing sixteen years, all of which time 
he served as postmaster of the town, besides holding various township 
and municipal offices. 

	In 1896 Mr. Rickert was elected treasurer of Roberts county, and 
upon taking charge of the office moved to Wilmot, where he resided until 
the seat of justice was changed to Sisseton, when he took up his abode 
at the latter place and has since made it his home. He was re-elected in 
1898 and served both terms in an able and satisfactory manner, proving a 
painstaking, obliging and popular public servant. During his last term 
he built an elevator at Sisseton and engaged in the grain business, and 
about the same time associated himself with H. S. Morris and Howard 
Babcock and organized the First National Bank of Sisseton, becoming 
president of the institution, which position he still holds. Still later 
he became one of the organizers, stockholders and-officers of three new 
banks, known as the Citizens' State Bank of White Rock, the First State 
Bank of Summit, and the Roberts County State Bank, of Corona, and is a 
stockholder in the Sisseton Loan and Title Company and the Roberts 
County Land and Loan Company. 

	Mr. Rickert owns a fine business property at Corona and a nice 
residence in Sisseton. He has charge and the management of the extensive 
farm properties of the Sisseton Loan and Title Company. of which they 
own about thirty farms in Roberts and neighboring counties. 

	Mr. Rickert was married in December, 1882, the union being blessed 
with one child, a son, Paul M., who is now pursuing his studies in 
Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, Minnesota. 

	Mr. Rickert is a Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. In politics he has always been an enthusiastic Republican. The 
distinction which he has achieved in financial and business circles has 
given him considerable reputation, and as a public-spirited citizen he 
is deeply interested in all that tends to the material development and 
general prosperity of his city, county and state.