Sacramento County
Biographies
JEROME F. BRICKELL
Two different eras in his life found Mr. Brickell a newcomer in Sacramento. The occasion of his first trip to the west occurred
during 1858, when he followed the usual tedious and even dangerous mode of
travel across the plains and eventually landed in an aspiring town of tents,
the temporary abode of a cosmopolitan throng of people attracted to the coast
by the discovery of gold. Returning to his old home in the middle west
during the year 1865, he passed many years of energetic activity in Michigan
and Missouri, and not again did he return to the west until he was practically
about to retire from business activities, having disposed of his farm in
Missouri. The second trip was radically different from that made forty-five
years before. All of the comforts of twentieth century travel were his to
enjoy. Nor was the city of his destination at all similar to the hamlet
of his memory. No old familiar faces remained to greet him.
Beautiful homes had replaced the temporary abodes of his former
experiences. Substantial business blocks had replaced the shacks of the
'50s. On every hand were evidences of wealth and culture. With
gratification he viewed the remarkable transformation by the energy of citizens
during the passing years when the west was coming into her
own.
Among the thirteen sons and daughters
forming the family of Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Brickell
there are nine still living, and one of these is Jerome F., who was born and
reared on the old homestead near Niles, Mich., and attended the schools of that
city and Kalamazoo. Upon starting out for himself he came to California
in 1858 and engaged in teaming between Sacramento and the mines of Placer
county, continuing in that occupation until he returned to Michigan in
1865. Meanwhile in 1861, he married Miss Mary A. Collier, who was born in
Massachusetts, but accompanied relatives to California at a very early age and grew to womanhood in Placer county. For a time she taught school there. Upon
his return to Michigan Mr. Brickell engaged in the
livery business at Niles for five years. Next he removed to Missouri and bought a raw tract of two hundred and eighty acres, to
the development of which he devoted many years of unwearied toil. When
eventually he felt himself no longer equal to the many responsibilities
connected with agriculture he disposed of his holdings in Missouri and in 1903 again came to Sacramento, this time establishing a home in Oak Park and investing largely in property at this point. The
results proved the wisdoms of his investments. Early in 1907 the Oak Park
Realty Company was incorporated, with Jerome F. Brickell
as president and Thomas E. Brickell as
secretary. While still connected with the business, Mr. Brickell has retired from heavy responsibilities and is in
a financial position to enjoy the fruits of his former efforts. The firm
has handled an immense amount of real estate and has largely limited its
efforts to Oak Park, the upbuilding of which it has
promoted in a material degree.
During the period of his residence in
Missouri Mr. Brickell was a local leader of the
Democratic party. While he was never an aspirant
for office, he maintained a deep interest in public affairs, and at one time,
upon the solicitation of leading Democrats of Macon county,
he consented to accept the nomination for county treasurer. Duly elected
to the office, he filled it for four years with marked efficiency. His
interest in educational movements was unchanging. For years he served as
one of the school directors of his township. In religion he favors
Baptist doctrines and gives generous support to the missionary movements of the
denomination.
Edgar J. Brickell,
son of Jerome F. Brickell, was born at Niles, Mich., February 17, 1867, and received a public school education in Missouri, later attending a college at Dixon, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1890. After leaving
college he was employed in the express and freight department of the Burlington
Railroad Company for four years. Next he spent three years as a clerk in a clothing and men's furnishing store, while he also taught
school in Macon county, Mo., for four years. The mercantile business at Clark, Mo., engaged his attention for five years, and for three years he conducted
a grocery in St. Louis, Mo., from which city, in 1908, he came to Sacramento for the purpose of identifying himself with the Oak Park
Realty Company. During February of 1911 he severed his connection with
the real estate firm and opened a modern grocery on the corner of Thirty-fourth street and Park
avenue, where now he has built up
a growing trade, and he holds a reputation for honesty in all business
transactions. Like his father, he is of the Baptist faith, and like him,
also, he favors Democratic principles in politics. In fraternal matters
he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias.
During 1891 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Clarkson, who was
born and reared in Macon county, Mo., and received a fair education in the schools of that locality.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 620-621. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.