Alonzo L. Vickers

Research and gravestone photo donated by Ty M. Coup, G-G-Grandson of Alonzo Vickers.

Manchester Motor, Thursday, Nov. 15, 1917

Died: Nov. 9, 1917

Early Dickinson Settler Dead

Alonzo L. Vickers died in Abilene at the home of his son, Charles, last Friday evening, after an illness of two months. Mr. Vickers was one of the early settlers of the county and lived for several years in Flora Township but later moved to Abilene. He was a man of splendid character, a Civil War Veteran, and had many friends. Funeral services were held at the Ablilene M.E. Church, Sunday afternoon and interment made in the Prairiedale cemetery."

Manchester Motor, Thursday, Nov. 22, 1917

Obituary

Alonzo L. Vickers was born Oct. 26, 1837, at Washington, Fayette Co., Ohio . His mother died when he was six weeks old, and he was taken to his grandmother near Rossville, Ohio., where he grew to manhood. He received a common school education, and followed farming as an occupation. He was converted at the age of 17years and became a member of the Methodist church. Later he transferred his membership to the Dunkard church. At the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the thirty-second regiment Ohio infantry for the term of three years. Re-enlisted at Vicksburg , Miss. , was at the review at Washington and was then taken to Louisville , Kentucky , where he was honorably discharged. On returning home from the war, he was united in marriage with Sarah M. Lewellyn in 1867. To this union were born ten children, one of them dying in infancy. In 1877 he with his family moved to Kansas where he located on a farm near Manchester . The family attended the Methodist church at Prairiedale, and later the Presbyterian church at Manchester . The mother passed to her reward Aug 28,1885. A second marriage to Annie Smart took place October 12,1887. To this union were born a son and a daughter. They moved to Abilene in 1901. Death visited the home again on Nov. 8,1913, taking his wife and mother. Mr. Vickers was a consistent Christian gentleman. He always had a church home accommodating himself to the usages of that one which was nearest his home. He held himself in readiness to serve in any capacity or place to which he was assigned. He was a workman who needed not be ashamed of what he wrought. 'His works do follow him.' During his illness he was patient and ever thoughtful of others. He was ready and waiting to go; finally death came as a release from sever illness of several weeks' duration on Nov. 9,1917, at the home of his son Charles. Funeral services were held in the M.E. church in Abilene by Rev. Hovgard. Burial was in the Prairedale cemetery near Talmage. A large concourse of friends attended the funeral services. The following children survive him;Cora Young, Hattie McVicker and Maggie Myers, of Talmage; Charles E., of Abilene; Emit O., of Charleston, Oklahoma; Harry B., of Albany, Oregon; Walter W., of Junction City; Vieva Overlin, of Kansas City, Missouri; Also James Vickers, of Oklahoma, and Hattie Hudson, of Ohio, half brother and sister; thirty-three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren."

Reflector Chronical, Abilene , Kansas

Alonzo L. Vickers was born October 26, 1837, and died at the home of his son Charles E., in Abilene November 28, 1917. He was left an orphan b the death of his mother when but six weeks old. From this time until he arrived at manhood was spent with his grandmother at Roseville , O. His education was achieved in the common schools prevalent in his early years. His occupation was that of a farmer. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the 32nd regiment Ohio infantry for the term of three years. Reenlisted at Vicksburg , Miss. , was at the review at Washington , then taken to Louisville , Ky. , where he was honorably discharged. He was converted and united with the M.E. church when 17 years of age. Later he transferred his church relationship to the Dunkard church and remained in its communion for many years. He came to Kansas in 1877, locating on a farm near where Manchester now stands. The church of his choice not being represented in this community, he affiliated with the Methodist and later with the Presbyterian church. He superintended a Sunday school in the Flora school house for several years. He loved the work of the master and was a consistent Christian to the close of life. His last resting place is in the Pairiedale Cemetery near Talmage. Funeral services were conducted from the ME church in Abilene by it's pastor, Rev. C.L. Hovgard. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Lewellyn in 1867, them were born ten children, one of whom died in infancy. The mother died August 28, 1885, and he later married Miss Annie Smart October 12,1887. To this union were born a son and daughter. They moved to Abilene in 1901. Death visited the home again on November 8, 1913, taking the wife and mother. Mr. Vickers was a consistent Christian gentleman. He always had a church home accomodating himself to the usage of that one which was nearest to his home. He held himself in readiness to serve in any capicity or place to which he was assigned. He was a workman who needed not be ashamed of what he wrought. " His works do follow him". During all his illness, he was patient and ever thoughtful of others. He was ready and waiting to go; finally death came, as a release from sever illness of several weeks duration on November 9, 1917, at the home of his son Charles. The following children survive: Cora Young, Hattie Coup, Rosa Broadfoot, Manchester, Kansas; Mary Reese, Ella McVicker, Maggie Myers, Talmage, Charles E., Abilene, Emmitt O., Charleston, Okla., Harry B., Albany, Ore. , Walter W., Junction City ,

Portrait and Biographical Record, Dickinson , Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties , Kansas 1893

Alonzo L. Vickers - V54

"Alonzo L. Vickers, who is engaged in general farming on section 27, Flora Township , has been a resident of Dickinson County since 1877, and as he has been one of its leading agriculturists, he well deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Fayette County , Ohio , on the 27th of October, 1837, and is a brother of James and a son of Lorenzo Vickers, both of whom are represented in this work. His mother died when he was only six weeks old and he was left to the care of his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Vickers, who was a resident of Muskingum County , Ohio . He attended the common schools of the neighborhood until seventeen years of age, and then started out to earn his own livelihood, which he did working as a farm-hand by the month. In the meantime a war cloud was gathering over this country and at last burst upon Ft. Sumter . Mr. Vickers, prompted by patriotic impulses, enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company G, Thirty-second Ohio Infantry. He participated in many important battles, including the engagements at Greenbrier River , Winchester , Harper's Ferry, Vicksburg , Resaca, Atlanta , Goldsboro and Savannah , Ga. His term of service having expired in December, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran and continued as one of the defenders of the Union until the South had laid down arms. At one time he had been taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, when Gen. Miles surrendered, but was not imprisoned. However, he was on parole for three months before he was exchanged. In all his service he was never wounded and was only sick a short time. Only two of his company answered to as many roll-calls as Mr. Vickers. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, he was honorably discharged at Louisville , Ky. , in 1865, as a faithful and valiant soldier, who had followed the Old Flag for four years. In the year succeeding his return from the army, Mr. Vickers was married, October 7, to Sarah Llewellyn, unto them were born the following children: Cora, Twenty-five years of age, is the wife of Alex Young, Jr., a resident farmer of Flora Township; Charles, aged twenty-three is at home; Emmett is living in Missouri; Mary, a young lady of eighteen years, is in Ohio; and Hattie, aged seventeen; Ella, aged fifteen; Rosie, twelve years of age;

Harrison Blaine, a lad of eight; and Maggie, a little maiden of seven summers, are still with their parents. The mother of this family died August 28, 1884. Mr. Vickers was again married, October 3, 1887, his second union being with Miss Annie Smart, daughter of James and Anna Smart, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. They have one child, Vieva. Mr. Vickers continued to engage in farming in Ohio until 1877, when he came to Dickinson County , Kan. , and located in Flora Township . From a wild tract of prairie land of one hundred and sixty acres, he has developed an excellent farm, now highly improved and cultivated. In politics, he is a staunch Republican, taking an active interest in the success and upbuilding of that party, whose principles he warmly advocates. He is a well-informed man, an enterprising farmer, and a valued member of this community".