My Genealogy Hound

James H. Wickersham, county clerk, was born in Versailles, Woodford Co., Ky., and is the son of Isaac and Nancy (Wiggs) Wickersham, both natives of Kentucky. The parents moved to Springfield, Ill., at an early period, and here the father engaged in merchandising, which he followed for seven years. On leaving, E. F. Herndon succeeded him, and this gentleman is now one of the largest merchants of Springfield. Mr. Wickersham moved to St. Louis, where he remained for ten years, being engaged in the stock business and in merchandising. He was a stone mason by trade, which occupation he followed in his youth. Both parents are now deceased. Of the ten children born to their union four are living: Sarah, Richard, James and John. The subject of this sketch was reared principally in St. Louis, and there received the greater part of his education, finishing at Lebanon Academy, whither he had moved in 1857. In 1861, in a company commanded by E. J. Wickersham (a brother), he enlisted and went out as lieutenant. After the siege of Vicksburg he was promoted to the rank of captain, in which position he remained until the close of the war. He was engaged in all the principal battles of the campaign: Springfield, Elk Horn, Corinth, Baker’s Creek, siege of Vicksburg, Rome (Ga.), Altoona, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta (Ga.), Franklin (Tenn.) and Blakely (Ala.). He was captured at Vicksburg and paroled. After six weeks in camp he was captured at Blakely, Ala., sent to Ship Island, thence to New Orleans, thence to Jackson, Miss., and paroled. After the war he located at Cotton Plant, Ark., where he was engaged in merchandising until 1870, when he returned to Lebanon. In 1872 he went to St. Louis, where he engaged in the real estate business and where he remained until 1874. He then returned to Lebanon, and traveled for the Lebanon Woolen Manufacturing Company until 1876, when he was employed by Wallace Bros., wholesale and retail merchants, as book-keeper, and there remained until elected to the office of county clerk in 1886, his term expiring in 1890. Mr. Wickersham is a public-spirited and enthusiastic citizen. He is a Democrat in his political views.