STICKLEY, HENRY H. - To the younger generation whose day has come since the comforts brought by easy communication have been available, it is a marvel that so much glory, wealth, and comfort have been wrested from the soil within the lifetime of men who stand among us today - that men now living fought the wild beasts of the wilderness and saw the smiling farms of later day change into cities, where the roar of traffic and the heavy tramp of iron wheels have so lately drowned the voices of primeval nature. Every year the white haired band that led the van of civilization grows smaller, yet there are many years to come before the last of those who heard the first scream of the brazen voiced locomotive which brought final prosperity, will be silenced in the sleep that comes to all. Henry H. Stickley, who belongs to a pioneer family of Sangamon County, has grown up with the locality. He was born in Springfield, July 14, 1845, a son of Jacob and Minerva (Hand) Stickley, natives of Ohio and Kentucky. The father was a carriage painter, who came to Springfield at an early date. Later he returned to Ohio, where he died, but the mother returned to Springfield and there passed away. The two families were important in Kentucky and Ohio.

Henry H. Stickley was educated in Springfield and later worked on a farm, finally engaging in agricultural operations for himself. He has spent all his life in Sangamon County, with the exception of three years spent in Christian County. During the Civil War he proved his worth by enlisting in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on August 23, 1861, remaining with his regiment until August 3, 1865. He was in many important engagements, including the campaign with Gen. Sherman. On March 5, 1862, he had the misfortune to be captured, and was confined in the infamous Libby Prison for three months. He is a very enthusiastic member of Stephenson Post, G. A. R. While always voting the Republican ticket, he has not otherwise taken an active part in public events, although he can be counted upon to support any measure he believes will help his home city.

On July 5, 1867, Mr. Stickley was married at Springfield to Sidney A. Bellgard, who died leaving four children: John A., born in 1868; Henry H., born in 1870; Sidney Ann, born in 1872, and Mary M., born in 1874. Some years after Mrs. Stickley's death, he was married July 3, 1888, to Rosa L. Doherty, by whom he had one child. Mr. Stickley is a Baptist, and is stanch in support of his church. As a citizen and as a soldier, Mr. Stickley has done his full duty, and he enjoys unbounded respect, both socially and in his church.