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- 26 Jan 1911: Postmaster Jacob F. Hickernell, of Schaefferstown, this county, was found dead in bed this morning at 6 o'clock, having died sometime during the night unknown to Mrs. Hickernell. He was aged 64 years.
Mr. Hickernell, about eight years ago, suffered a stroke of paralysis, and the attack left him with a lame leg, but he was able to be about since that time and attend to his business interests. The malady also left a very weak heart, from which he suffered severely at times. Lately, however, he seemed to be in excellent health, and on Wednesday, there was nothing at all to alarm the family, as he was at his office as usual and seemed to be in the best of health and spirits. In this condition of health he retired at his wonted time on Wednesday evening. About midnight he complained to his wife that he felt cold, and she secured more bed cover and he then apparently went to sleep.
This morning, Mrs. Hickernell awoke about 6 o'clock and receiving no response from her husband beside her, she tried to awaken him, only to find that he was dead. A physician hastily summoned expressed the opinion that he had been dead several hours. His heart weakness is said to have been hereditary, as his mother died some years ago in the same unexpected manner.
Mr. Hickernell was born and reared in the locality where he spent most of his life and where he died. In his early years he attended the old academy at Schaefferstown, and then learned the cigar making trade. At a very early date thereafter, he became an apprentice in a store, and later kept a store at Brickerville. He remained there for some years and then returned to Schaefferstown to engage in the insurance business. About twenty-five years ago he assumed the foremanship at the Zerbe cigar factory and continued in that position until a year or two ago. Last June, C. K. Hetrick resigned the postman ship and Hickernell, after a civil service examination was appointed as his successor. He assumed charge of the office in July and was in the position at the time of his death, his youngest daughter, Miss Nora, being the assistant postmistress.
Mr. Hickernell in his younger days was a musician of ability, and he was one of the organizers of the Schaefferstown Band. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was highly esteemed. In politics he was an ardent Republican and took an active part in all political campaigns in his district. He was well liked and as the foreman of a large number of cigar makers in the town, he welded much influence. His kindness of heart and other fine traits also added to his popularity and the entire town bemoans his loss. He was also well known in Lebanon and other parts of the county and the sympathy tendered the family extends over a wide territory.
The deceased is survived by his wife, and seven children: Fred Z., of Schaefferstown; Charles T., a well known attorney in this city; Frank, of Schaefferstown; Misses Jennie and Annie, school teachers, of Newmanstown, and Miss Nora, at home. John Henry Hickernell, of Schaefferstown, is a brother, and Mrs. David Newman of Steelton, is a sister.
News of the death of Mr. Hickernell was telephoned to Lebanon immediately, but the son, Attorney Hickernell, could not be located at his boarding house, and it was therefore left to his boyhood friend, Charles Zerbe, deputy county prothonotary, and he broke the news as gently as possible to the grief stricken lawyer. The latter left on a street car for Half Way, where he was met by a member of the family and was taken home. [Lebanon Semi-Weekly News] [1]
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1847 - 1911 (63 years)
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