Two years prior to Missouri’s admission into the Union, October 16, 1819, Franklin W. Brickey saw the light of day in Potosi, Missouri. He attended the public schools and at the age of 19 he came to Illinois. In 1838 he started in business at Fort Chartres, supplying steam-boats with wood and general merchandise. Enterprising and with great foresight he became interested in the Red Bud Mill. In 1858 he erected the present mill at Prairie du Rocher, and at that time his property in Fort Chartres had been swept away by high water. He afterwards started the general merchandise store in Prairie du Rocher. At the solicitation of Mr. Brickey, Abe Lee, a companion became his partner and remained so until 1867, when he sold his interest to Mr. Brickey, who operated the mill until his death, December 12, 1892, when his son, F. M. Brickey, succeeded in business.
Mr. Brickey twice married. His first wife was Emily Connor. His second wife was Sarah J. Brightwell. The Brickey family consisted of three sons – J. C. Brickey, F. M. Brickey and Thomas C. Brickey, and one daughter, Belle Brickey.
F. M. Brickey
F. M. Brickey, the well-known capitalist, was born November 10, 1860, in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. He attended the public schools, then went to St. Louis in 1873 and entered the St. Louis University, until 1878, and later was a student in the Jesuit College. He began business in 1881. After leaving school he learned the trade of miller. By industry and diligence he steadily advanced, became assistant miller and then head miller. He became so proficient that he could assume any position in the mill. He worked here, associated with his father, he bought wheat. In 1892 his father died and he became his successor and operated the mill until 1906, when he sold the mill to Schoening & Koenigsmark Milling Company. Since then he devoted his time to the drainage of land and building it up. He owns many acres of rich land in the vicinity of Prairie du Rocher, within seven miles of town. He is also part owner of the Prairie du Rocher Lumber Company and F. M. Brickey and Company, general merchandising.
Mr. Brickey was married to Miss Emily J. Glad September 29, 1891. Of this union were born three children: Lorina B., Alvina P., and Edythe M. Brickey. Mr. Brickey was treasurer of the Prairie du Rocher Common schools and also treasurer of the village. Politically he is a Democrat.
The residential property of Mr. and Mrs. Brickey and family is a beautiful spot of Prairie du Rocher and covers about four acres of land. Their residence is modern and up-to-date, complete in every respect, having hot and cold water system, electric light plants and all the modern improvements. The well-kept lawn, the fine shrubbery, makes this place one of the finest in Southern Illinois.
Mr. Brickey, having studied music in college, is a lover of music. He organized a band in 1881 and by his untiring efforts led the band, and to this day plays in the band. Mr. Brickey has private telephone lines. He is a member of the Hoo Hoo Order. His children have finished school at Forest Park University, St. Louis, Mo.
Mrs. Brickey was born March 13, 1868, in St. Louis, Mo. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Fr. Glad and family moved to Prairie du Rocher, where Mr. Glad became engineer in the mill and worked for the milling company for a quarter of a century. Mrs. Brickey (nee Glad) attended the parochial and public schools, and married September 29, 1891. She is an ideal help-mate to her husband, and not only looks after the domestic side but ofttimes assists in office work.
