LAWRENCE TICKNOR was during his life a prominent and well-known farmer of Macon County, this State, and his death was a severe blow to its interests. He was a native of Morgan County, born there in pioneer days in the year 1834. His parents, Olney and Mary Ticknor, were natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. They came to Illinois in 1830 and were early settlers of Morgan County, Locating near Jacksonville, then a village. His father was a farmer and he and his wife lived to a good old age on the old homestead that had been developed from the wilderness.
Lawrence Ticknor was reared on a farm and though he had but limited school advantages was an excellent scholar and a widely read man. He began life for himself as a farmer in his native county anc carried on that occupation there twelve years. In 1867 he bought the farm in Niantic township, Macon County, which he owned at his death. It consisted of two hundred and forty acres of land, and he converted it into a model farm. His methods of conducting agriculture were always of the best, and he lived the life of an ideal farmer, proud of his farm, proud of his fine stock and of his home. His assiduous devotion to his business impaired his health and he went to California, accompanied by his devoted wife, hoping to be re-invigorated by the climate of the Pacific Slope. His wishes were not to be realized, as his days were numbered and he closed his eyes in death while there, in 1887. His body was brought to his old home for burial and he was tenderly laid to rest by the loving hands of friends in Mauvaisterre cemetery, Morgan County, Ill.
Mr. Ticknor was a man of deeply religious nature and at the age of seventeen he joined the Christian Church, and throughout his life was never remiss in his Christian duty and gave liberally of his worldly store to the cause. He was a potent factor in the upbuilding of the church and was a regular attendant at divine services. He squared his life by the rules of the New Testament and thus made it a model for the young. He is spoken of as a man of honor and good Christian character, who was influential for good in his community.
Our subject and Miss Ednor Elinor Jones were united in the holy bonds of matrimony December 21, 1856. Mrs. Ticknor is also a native of Morgan County, and her ancestors were from the South. She joined the church in early girlhood, was a meet companion for her husband in religious life, and their hands and hearts were always open to the demands of charity. Our subject and his wife had no children of their own, but in the kindness of their hearts they adopted two orphans, a brother and sister, in their childhood, and reared them as tenderly and carefully as if they were of their own blood. After her husband's death, Mrs. Ticknor removed to Illiopolis and bought a cozy home and here she is living, surrounded by the respect and esteem of the entire community.