The Iron Mountain Railroad ran from St. Louis, Missouri, to Texarkana, Arkansas, as well as to southeast Missouri. The line was initially established to deliver iron ore from Iron Mountain, Missouri to St. Louis, hence its name, the Iron Mountain Railroad.
Editor’s note:
In 1916 the address on Mrs. Shick’s letter was De Lassus, Missouri but from all indications the family lived at the same place. She said she found raising vegetables and chickens very pleasant work. Their three youngest children were still in school, the two oldest in 8th grade and the youngest in the fifth.
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(E. O. Shick)
Biographical Note:
Editor’s Note:
Ellis also wrote a letter to the Press in 1917. See his biographic notes in that section.
(E. O. Shick)
Biographical Note:
(continued)
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(Ira W. Shick)
Biographical Note:
Ira Whitmer Shick was born on July 2, 1881 to Peter W. and Jennie C. (nee Whitmer) Shick. Ira was married to Bertha Mae Judy. Bertha was born on March 8, 1885. Ira died July 25, 1953 and Bertha died March 27, 1975. They are buried in the Sumner Cemetery.
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(J. P. Shick)
Biographical Note:
Jesse P. Shick was born June 9, 1848 to Daniel and Caroline (nee Jones) Shick. He married Hannah Irwin, born March 22, 1853, daughter of William and Elizabeth (nee Carr) Irwin). The following children were listed in census records: Alpha I. (b. Sept. 1883); Fred N. (b. Apr. 1885); Esther (b. Oct 1886); Lanora (b. Feb. 1888); Leonard (b. Jan. 1891); Mary F. (b. Jun. 1895); Bert (b. May 1880).
Hannah died on January 16, 1931 and Jesse died on march 23, 1936. They are buried in Belton, Missouri.
We cover East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia part of Kentucky and part of North Carolina. We hope to establish a summer home at Asheville, North Carolina, which is in our territory, also Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain.
Was at Cumberland Gap in Bluefield, West Virginia last week. We drove through the battleground of Fort Sanders, on Tennessee River, last Sunday, which is in edge of Knoxville. Frederick started into high school today and Eloise is starting the junior year today in high school. Irene is keeping up with all latest styles and noting all good shows, also has located all the magnolia and laurel groves in East Tennessee.
Should any reader of the press happen to get into this part of the United States we would surely be glad to entertain happily in northern or genuine southern.
Yours truly,
E. O. Shick
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Princeton, Indiana
January 26, 1919
L.M. Your call for non-resident readers at hand and note what you say.
Am still at Princeton as automobile salesman and look forward to a big business this year.
We are all up and going again after a fight with the flu, as practically everybody has had. Ruth and Paul, soon seven and nine, both in school. Just got their midwinter promotions and getting along fine, while Margaret, our little Hoosier, soon two years old, and her mother, manage to get all the eats on the table, three times a day that we get of this high-priced war food. But guess we have got no kick, as we are all here after the war and flu both have reaped their harvest.
Wishing one and all the readers a happy and prosperous year and anyone coming our way will find us at 710 West State Street, beg to remain,
I was born in Lawrence County in Christy Township in 1848. Lived in the County 50 years. Went to school my first at old Brian school house. The last school was at the old center school in 1864. T. M. Stevens was my teacher. There have been many changes since that time. Lots of my schoolmates have passed to the other side and there seems but few left, for I am now in my 71st year since last June and we that are left on earth are growing old. There have been so many changes in 50 years.
My wife's name was Hannah Irwin. We have been married 38 years this coming May. There are people in old Lawrence that knew us both. I had many relatives in the County yet and I hope, lots of friends, as many of the older ones have passed over the river of death and I am still left.
As to our children: Esther and Nora both lived in Kansas City; Fred is here on the farm with me; Len is in the war, but we expect him home soon and Alph and wife have cross the stream of time, and one of their children, and I have the other three here with me and their grandma has care of them.
The youngest is 5; the oldest is 12 the first day of this month. He was born in Sumner. The flu broke up the family for them. Three of them died in six days, 15th, 17th and 19th of November. Yet we all have our troubles and have to bear them as we can.
Len was taken away in July and I was left alone on the farm for 40 days. I had plenty to do. I didn't have to hunt to find a job at all. It kept me busy to make ends meet for a while.
There is Mary F. Anderson I have not spoken of. She went to school in Sumner for several years. She is the youngest child. They are all married but Len. He is 27 years old and says he is an old bachelor.
Hope to hear from many old friends in the press.
J. P. Shick and wife
Mr. Shick sent in the following obituary for his son and wife:
Alpha I. Shick died November 15, 1918 of influenza following pneumonia. The wife Zola O. followed in his steps November 17, 1918 of the same disease leaving two boys and two girls who are all in bed with the same.
Alpha I. Shick was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Shick and was born in raised in Sumner, Illinois. He was born on September 17, 1883. He was married to Miss Zola Bache on May 20, 1906 at Sumner, Illinois. Mrs. Shick was born March 19, 1887
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. the ship moved to East St. Louis and later moved to southeast Missouri with his father, where they lived a short time, then moved to Waldrop, Missouri, moving there to Belton.
Mr. and Mrs. the Shick were members of the Christian church and were real Christian people.
He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse P. Shick; one brother Fred N. Shick; one sister Mrs. Mary F. Anderson, all of Oakside, Missouri; two sisters, Mrs. Esther R. Jenkins and Mrs. Nora Bowen, both of Kansas City, and one brother, Leonard C. Shick, of Camp Funston, Kansas and two half sisters, Mrs. Della Lewis and Mrs. May Kingery, both of Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Mrs. Shick leaves her mother, Mrs. Oliver Bache, of Council Bluff, Iowa; three sisters, Mrs. Fred N. Shick of Oakside, Missouri; Mrs. R. C. Wheaton, of Scott Bluff, Nebraska, and Mrs. Chris Peterson, of Council Bluff, Iowa; with four children, Herbert M., 11 years; Harry N. 10 years; Dora Vaugn, six years; and Jesse Irene, five years old, and numerous friends and acquaintances to mourn their untimely death.
The bodies were laid to the final rest in a double grave at Belton cemetery, Tuesday afternoon. Short services were held at the cemetery by Dr. W. H. Pinkerton assisted by Rev. T. C. Brammer.
Later: Harry N. Shick, the 10-year-old son died Tuesday evening and was buried at the Belton cemetery Wednesday evening.
