J. Rickers Mattresses and Upholstering

According to the 1880 U.S. Census, John Rickers was born about 1854 in Schleswig, Germany. By 1878, he and his family were residing in Sandusky, Ohio, where Mr. Rickers ran an upholstery business. He also manufactured and sold mattresses. In the picture above, the side of the building advertised corn husks for sale. Corn husks were traditionally used in furniture cushions and mattresses, so perhaps Mr. Rickers sold the excess husks if he purchased too many from area farmers.

In 1880, the Rickers family consisted of John Rickers, age 26, his wife Lizzie, age 22, and two infant sons, Albert and Oscar. Mrs. Rickers, the former Elizabeth Maul, gave birth to a daughter Verna in 1880. The Rickers upholstering business was at various locations, including 141 Columbus Avenue, 730 Water Street, and at the southeast corner of Reese and Franklin Streets. Mr. John Rickers died on February 1, 1895. His funeral took place at the family residence on Franklin Street on March 3, 1895. Friends and relatives came from Norwalk, Oak Harbor, Chicago, and Philadelphia, to pay their respects. Rev. C.A. Vincent, pastor of the First Congregational Church officiated at the funeral, and several vocal selections were sung by a quartet. Members of the local Odd Fellows Lodge closed the graveside services, held at Oakland Cemetery. Mr. John Rickers was survived by his wife and three children. For a few years, Mrs. Lizzie Rickers ran the upholstering business, but eventually it was taken over by John Rickers’ son Oscar. The final location of the upholstery business operated by Oscar Rickers was 604 West Market Street. Oscar Rickers died in 1943.