BIOGRAPHIES: Andrew T. WICKHAM, Chetek, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Vic Gulickson 14 January 2004 ************************************************************************ Andrew T. Wickham, pioneer, was born May 11, 1832, in Orleans County, New York, the son of James and Lovina (Renolds) Wickham. In November, 1853, he married Lucy S. Cox, who was born in Zore, Erie County, New York, Feb. 12, 1835, daughter of Eli D. and Sophia (Williams) Cox. They started home making in East Otto Township, New York, and there three children were born: Wilber D., Charles E. and William 0. In May, 1864, they came to Wisconsin and located a homestead in Trempealeau County in the beautiful stretch of land since known as Wickham Valley in Burnside Township. Although like most of the settlers, they had little of this world's goods, and although the hardships of life in a pioneer region were many, they worked with a will and developed their farm as best they could. In August, 1871, disaster overtook them in the death of their two youngest children, Charles E. and William O., who were stricken with diphtheria. Heartsick at this experience, they rented the farm for a year and returned to the old home place in East Otto, New York. There in February, 1872, another child, Walter, was born, but lived only three days. In the fall of that year the family again came west, and took up their home on the Wickham Valley farm. On Oct. 8, 1873, two sons, Herman D. and Hiram E., were born. In 1881 Mr. Wickham traded his homestead for forty acres at Independence, in the same county, and there he opened and operated a stone quarry until 1901. In that year he sold the lndependence property and came to Barron County, where he purchased a farm near Chetek. There, after a long life filled with worthy endeavor, he died Sept. 1, 1902. His wife continued on the farm with her son, Herman D., until her death, Dec. 9, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Wickham were a most worthy couple. Despite the fact that Mr. Wickham was never in robust health, and that Mrs. Wickham battled against physical frailities for half a century, they carved for themselves a home in the wilderness, they worthily reared their children, they made the best of life as they found it, taking life's vicissitudes with Christian fortitude and cheer, and making their years on earth of real benefit to those with whom they came in contact. They will always be cherished in the hearts of those who loved them. Wilber D. was married at Independence, Wis., July 3, 1878, to Addie L. Clinton, and is now a well known resident of Rochester, Minn. He and his wife have four children: Grace L. Randall, of Eyota, Minn.; Helen E. Moor, of Dresbach, Minn.; Elmer D., of Los Angeles, Cal.; and Ava M. Thirtle, of Eyota, Minn. Herman D. is a successful farmer of Chetek Township, Barron County. Hiram E. is deceased. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 491. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm