An American Family History

Harriet Dean Ricketts was born on June 27, 1813 in Ohio. According to the 1900 census, her father's birthplace was not known and her mother was born in Pennsylvania.

In 1830 there were four Dean families in Dearborn. Enoch, George, and Noah were in Sparta and John was in Manchester.

She married William Ricketts on February 7, 1832 in Dearborn County (now Ohio), Indiana. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on William and Elizabeth Ricketts.

In 1880, 62 year old Harriet was living with her son Garrett and his two year old son, Charles L. in Clayton, Woodford County, Illinois.

At the time of the 1900, census she was living in Eureka with her son, Samuel Ricketts, and daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Hardin Edwards. She had given birth to 10 children, 6 of whom were alive.

Grandma Ricketts was 87 years old Wednesday and her children and friends were invited in to partake of a birthday dinner. An enjoyable day was spent by all who were present, and hoping for many more such events before this venerable old lady lays down her daily toils. Those from abroad who were present were Will Kent and family of Chillicothe, Jack Ricketts of Peoria, Sam Ricketts of Benson and others whose names failed to get. (Woodford County Journal, June 28, 1900)

She died on September 28, 1900 in Metamora, Woodford County, Illinois.

Mrs. Harriett Ricketts died at her home in this city, Friday, September 28, after a long illness. She was born June 27, 1813, and had lived a life of great usefulness. The funeral services were held at the house Sunday morning at 10 o'clock and were conducted by Elder Haynes, the interment being in the cemetery north of Washington.

 

Mrs. Harriott Ricketts, died at her residence in this city on the early morning of the 28 ult., at the advanced age of 87 years,

This long life began June 27, 1813, near Aberdeen, Ohio. Her father's family moved to Indiana in the early days of the state.

Here, near Rising Sun, on February 27 1833, Harriett Dean became the wife of William Ricketts. Ten children were born to them. Those that survive are G. L. and G. W. Ricketts, of Eureka; S. L. Ricketts, of Benson; A.J. Ricketts, of Peoria; Mrs. Amanda Kent, of Chillicothe, Ill, and Mrs, Sarah Edwards, of Toronto, Mo.

Mr. William Ricketts and family came to Illinois in 1839, They thus belonged to the pioneers, For 21 years their home was on a farm about 7 miles from Metamora. In 1800 they moved to a farm near Alton, Ill. In 1807 they returned to Woodford county and occupied a farm near Versailles.

There Mr, Ricketts died in 1874 at the age 82 years. Shortly thereafter the other members of the family came to Eureka which has since been their home.

In the later years of her life Mrs. Ricketts became a Christian. Her faith grew and her hope became brighter with her advancing years. She selected Revelation 21:1-4 as the scripture for her own funeral service. The obsequies were held at her late residence on East Third street Sunday at 10 o'clock, and were conducted by Rev. N. S. Haynes.

The burial was at Washington, where she was laid beside her husband. A long life, a quiet usefullness and patient industry was thus ended. (Woodford County Journal, October 4, 1900)

She was buried with William at Old Washington Cemetery in Tazewell County, Illinois also called Old Glendale Cemetery. It is at the southern end of Market Street.

William and Harriet
Rickett's tombstone

Children of William Ricketts and Elizabeth Oxley Celia Ricketts Holmes John Ricketts Eli Ricketts Mary Ann Ricketts Planck Clutter Isaac Ricketts William Ricketts Prior Ricketts Eliza Ricketts James Ricketts Elizabeth Ricketts William Ricketts and Harriet Dean Garrett Larew Ricketts Robert L. Ricketts Sarah L. Ricketts Edwards Isabella Ricketts King Samuel Lowe Ricketts Susanna Ricketts Marian Amanda Ricketts Kent George Washington Ricketts Andrew Jackson Ricketts Noah J. Ricketts

Minonk News Dispatch 4 October 1900

Mrs Harriet (Dean) Ricketts died at her home in Eureka, Sept 28, 1900. The deceased, whose maiden name was Dean, was born near Aberdeen, Ohio, June 27, 1813. She removed with her parents to Dearborn Co, Indiana. On Feb. 27, 1831, she was united in marriage with Wm. Ricketts. They came to Woodford county in [illegible] and lived here until 1866 when they moved to Madison Co., Ill., remaining there until 1876, then came back to Woodford county.

There were ten children born to them, six of whom are living—Garret and George, in Eureka;
Jack, in Peoria;
Samuel. In Benson;
Sarah Edwards, in Toronto, Mo;
Amanda Kent, in Chillicothe, Ill.

Mrs Ricketts has lived in Eureka for over 25 years. The funeral services were held Sunday, Sept. 30, and the remains laid to rest by the side of her husband in Washington, Illinois.