- BIOGRAPHY: IRA LYCURGUS RICKETTS
Ira L. Ricketts was born on 18 February 1887 in Bement, Piatt Co., Illinois, to Charles Sylvester Ricketts and Ellen S Busick.
He married Pearl Ethel Singleton on Dec 19, 1911 at Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota. They had four children:
1912-1971 - Alice Ricketts
1915-2004 - Mrs. Alma (Ostrander) Stephan
1918-1977 - Calvin Ira Ricketts
1921-2005 - Mrs. Helen Grimm
Records show that on June 30, 1912, aged 25 years, he was a Dairyman in Duluth, Saint Louis Co., Mn.
On July 1, 1912, aged 25, he became a Patrolman for the Duluth PD. In 1917, aged about 30, he and his wife, Pearl, resided at 209 W Faribault, Duluth, Minnesota. On 6 March 1930, aged 43, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant with the Duluth Police Dept.
According to Freemason Records:
Ira L. Ricketts was a Master Mason.
Ira was 34 years old when he took his degrees at Glen Avon Lodge No. 306 in 1922 as follows:
- 04/10/1922 - Apprentice Degree
- 04/24/1922 - Fellowcraft Degree
- 05/08/1922 - Master Mason Degree
- 03/15/1930 - Died, in good standing.
Death records show that Ira L. Ricketts died on 15 March 1930, aged 43, of Complications 9 weeks after suffering a Paralytic Stroke, at his home in Duluth. He was buried in March 1930 in Forest Hill Cemetary, Duluth, Saint Louis Co., Minnesota.
NOTES:
Sergeant Ricketts was on duty on the evening of the "Duluth Lynchings" June 15, 1920. According to Police Dept. records, and court documents, Sergeant Ricketts was "face to face" with the leaders of the lynch mob as they entered the police station and began to destroy city property, tragically resulting in the mob kidnapping and lynching three black detainees who had been wrongly accused of raping a white woman.
OBITUARY:
IRA L. RICKETTS , Duluth Herald, Saturday, March 15, 1930
RICKETTS DIES AFTER VALIANT FIGHT TO LIVE
Well known Detective Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke.
After a valiant fight following a paralytic stroke suffered Jan 6, Detective-Sergeant Ira Ricketts, one of the best known Police Detectives of the City's force, died at his home at 6:30 a.m. today, following a severe relapse which occurred earlier in the week.
Born Feb 18. 1887, at Bement, Ill. Sergeant Ricketts was appointed a patrolman on the Duluth Police force July 1,
1912, On. Sept. 24, 1920, he was promoted to Sergeant and detailed to the New Duluth Police Station, when he was
assigned to Police Headquarters.
He was assigned to the detective bureau for "Purity Squad" duty, May 1, 1922 and on October 9, 1924, was assigned
to detective duties. He continued with the detective bureau until stricken January 6th.
Police Chief E. H. Barber, veteran Police Captain A.G. Flackett, Safety Commissioner James E. Fobister, and other
officials of the department paid high tribute to Sergeant Ricketts today. He was a popular and efficient policeman and detective, his superior officers declared.
Sergeant Ricketts Is survived by his wife and four children. The family residence is at 209 W. Faribaualt St.
All flags on city buildings were ordered at half mast today by city officials, to remain so until after the funeral, which is being arranged for Monday, in honor of Sergeant Ricketts.
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1887 - 1930 (43 years)
