Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
"Thanks for the Miracle of Life"
August 29, 2021
1. "Thanks for the Miracle of Life" Marker
"Thanks for the miracle of life"
I dedicate this in memory of my grandparents, Jefferson and Mary Jane Hand Sickler, pioneer 1883 homesteaders from Indiana—originally from Switzerland. Grandfather was a Civil War veteran, a prisoner at the notorious Andersonville Prison, Montana gold miner and vigilante, South Dakota homesteader, ranchman, state legislator and one of the founders of Wessington Springs. The Andrew Mercer family homesteaded here in 1883 having emigrated from Ontario, Canada—originally from Scotland and Ireland. They barely survived the blizzard of 1886.
My parents, George Hand Sickler and Nellie Mercer Sickler, settled in Wessington Springs in the late 1890's. They homesteaded and cattle ranched in the Long Lake District and at Turtle Peak Ranch. Father devoted his life to business in Wessington Springs,—as expressed in his plaque on the rock on the library lawn.
I, Everett J. Sickler, owe everything to a loving mother and father and to Dr. Jenkenson and Dr. Shule. Above all my thanks to God for a wonderful long life.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
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Location. 44° 4.542′ N, 98° 33.714′ W. Marker is in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in Jerauld County. Marker is on Dunham Street, ¼ mile south of Main Street East, on the left when traveling south. Located in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wessington Springs SD 57382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cleveland T. Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wessington Springs, South Dakota Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jerauld County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Stratton Park (approx. half a mile away); Municipal Field House (approx. half a mile away); Noble's Trail Campsite (approx. 0.6 miles away); Neutral Ground (approx. 0.6 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wessington Springs.
August 29, 2021
2. "Thanks for the Miracle of Life" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2021. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on September 1, 2021. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
