Marion M. Ricketts, M. D. The leading physician and surgeon of Ivesdale and well known for his ability and service all over southwestern Champaign County is Dr. Marion M. Ricketts, who has enjoyed a successful practice there for the past six. years.
Doctor Ricketts was born in Clay County, Illinois, October 20, 1877, a son of Jasper and Hannah (Stanford) Ricketts. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Illinois. Jasper Ricketts has had an industrious career as an agriculturist and is still living at Pesottim. He moved to Champaign County with his family in 1881. The mother had died in Clay County before the removal to Champaign County. They had six children: Mrs. Emil Andre, of Eaton, Colorado; Harvey, of Vincent, Iowa; Charles, deceased; Homer, of Eaton, Colorado; Doctor Ricketts; and Lyda, deceased.
Doctor Ricketts was four years of age when the family came to Champaign County and grew up on his father’s farm, at the same time wisely improving the advantages offered in the local schools. His active career began at the age of sixteen, when he hired out to work as a farm hand,, taught school one year, took the normal course in Austin College at Effingham, Illinois, and after that was one of the successful and popular teachers of Champaign County for twelve years. Thus Doctor Ricketts from his own earnings paid for his professional preparation. In May, 1911, he graduated from the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery and in his last year in college he had considerable practical experience in hospital work. After getting his degree Doctor Ricketts located at Ivesdale and has enjoyed an increasing appreciation of his able services in the profession.
May 18, 1905, he married Elma Pundt, of Tuscola, Illinois. They are the parents of two sons, Frederick J., born March 8, 1912; and Marion M., Jr., born October 5, 1916. Doctor Ricketts is a Republican, is affiliated with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are active in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
