Granduncle Mark's Genealogy Parlor

In loving memory

Mary 'Mamie' Elizabeth (Fears) Hickman

(Born November 1880)

(Photo from the 1920's,
Mary with her two youngest children)

Submitted by her grandson
(16th of Mary's 18 grandchildren)
Mark Ellsworth Hickman, PhD
Click here to contact me


    My paternal grandmother, Mary 'Mamie' Elizabeth (Fears) Hickman, died 20 years before I was born, during my father's youth.

    Mary passed away when her youngest two children were only 10 and 12 years of age.

    Because I never met her, I have asked older relatives what she was like. People says she was a good person, fairly quiet and loving of her family.

    Mary was an only child, but she grew up in the company of a first-cousin, William Fears, who lived with Mary's family.

    19-year old Mary "Mamie" Elizabeth Fears was married on 15 September 1900 in Orange County, Indiana to 23-year old Charles Ambrose HICKMAN, Jr. This Charles, also an Orange County native, was the son of Charles Ambrose HICKMAN, Sr. and Roxey Emiline (DENTON) HICKMAN.

    Because Charles' primary occupation was farming on rented land, the family moved according to farming opportunities. The family briefly lived in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, where their youngest son, Harold, was born. However, they usually lived in southern Indiana, in the counties of Orange, Lawrence and Monroe.

    The family had the basic necessities of life (such as ample food), because Charles and Mary both worked very hard to provide for their family. Charles often took on extra work to supplement his full-time farming, such as driving a truck for a limestone company and digging basements for new homes. However, Charles and Mary shared their harvests as needed among various relatives and friends, so the family didn't have money for luxery items and relied on the company of friends and family for entertainment.

    Mary was a hard-working woman who did not complain about her lot in life. When she completed her housework each day she went outside to continue working in the family garden. Like most farm wives of her day, she churned butter, canned foods from the farm and washed clothing in the water reservoir of her kitchen's wood range.

    Mary was talented in southern Indiana farm cooking traditions, which was useful since her husband expected homemade biscuits at all three meals each day, plus homemade cornbread with dinner each day.

    Mary's interests and primary focus in life were her family, her home, the farm and her personal religious beliefs. She did not have much time or opportunity for recreational diversions.

    Mary's father, Jesse David Fears, Jr., lived with Mary and her family during part of his later years, after he was widowed.

    At the end of her life, Mary had complications from a previous surgery to remove her gall bladder. She was determined not to return to the hospital, because she felt she should stay with her family. In August of 1932, however, she experienced acute pain in her abdomen so that she was crying when a Bloomington ambulance was summoned to her Clear Creek, Monroe County, Indiana home by her family.

    As she was taken from her home she worried aloud about her youngest child, repeatedly asking, "Who's going to take care of Rhea Dawn?"

    At the hospital, Mary was diagnosed as having gangrene. Mary Elizabeth (Fears) Hickman died on 06 August 1932 at the age of 51-years.

    Mary's youngest son, Harold, was only 12 years old, and Mary's youngest daughter, Rhea Dawn, was only 10 years old at the time of Mary's death.

    Because Mary's other four children were older, Mary had lived to know seven of her eighteen grandchildren. In order of age, the seven grandchildren that Mary knew before her death were:
    • James Charles CORBIN at 6-years of age
    • Robert E. HICKMAN at 5-years of age
    • Charles W. LEE at 4-years of age
    • Wayne REYNOLDS at 3-years of age
    • John CORBIN at 3-years of age
    • Carolyn and Allen J. HICKMAN, the 13-month old twins


    Mary's body was laid in state at the Weir Funeral Home in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. (Which is the current location of The Garrett antique store.) She was buried at the Clear Creek Cemetery in Clear Creek, Monroe County, Indiana.


    Mary Elizabeth Fears was born November 1880 in Orange County, Indiana.

    Mary was a daughter of Jessie David FEARS, Jr.

    and Lavina 'Fanny' Frances (FARNSLEY) FEARS.


    Mary's Grandparents were:
    • Jessie David FEARS, Sr.

      and Cornelia Jane (WILLIAMS) FEARS

    • David Martin FARNSLEY

      and Eliza Ann (ZENOR) FARNSLEY




    Some of Mary Elizabeth (Fears) Hickman's many descendants are:

  • Dana Frances (HICKMAN) LEE
    • Dana Frances Hickman was born 15 December in 1899 or 1901 in Orange County, Indiana.
    • Married to William LEE.
    • This Dana Frances (HICKMAN) LEE and William LEE were the parents of:
      • Charles W. LEE (Born 1928 in Indiana.
        Married to Laura CAIN in 1950.
        Died 11 February 2000 in Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.
        Buried 14 February 2000 in Burgoon Cemetery, at the historic Burgoon Church, East Burgoon Church Road, Polk Township, Monroe County, Indiana.)
        Charles W. LEE and Laura (CAIN) LEE were the parents of:
        • Frances "Fran" LEE
        • Betty LEE (Born 1965)
      • Robert Wesley LEE (Born 1942 in Indiana.)
        Robert Wesley LEE was married first to Rose.
        Robert Wesley LEE and Rose were the parents of:
        • Diana LEE (Born 1966)
        • Robert LEE (Born 1967)

        Robert Wesley LEE was married second to Georgia Ann (LUCIUS) HEGER (Born 05 January 1947 in Owosso, Michigan).
        Robert Wesley LEE and Georgia Ann (LUCIUS) HEGER LEE were parents of:
        • Betrina Marcey LEE (Born 1982 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.)
        • Cassie April LEE (Born 1983 in Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana. Married to Edward Bigelow on 1999 in Veron, Michigan.)
        • Dana Ann LEE (Born 1986 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.)
        • Brianna Jean LEE (Born 1986 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Died 1986 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.)
        • Justina Mary LEE (Born 1992 in Owosso, Michigan.)

          NOTE: Georgia Ann (LUCIUS) HEGER LEE was first married to Peter HEGER and they were the parents of Brian HEGER and Trudy HEGER (Trudy was born 1969.) Trudy HEGER was married to Mark ALBRING in 1991 in Corunna, Michigan.

    • Dana Frances (HICKMAN) LEE died in 1947 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      Dana Frances (HICKMAN) LEE is buried at Clear Creek Cemetery, Clear Creek, Monroe County, Indiana.


  • Jesse Charles HICKMAN
    • Born 03 September 1904 in Orange County, Indiana.
    • Married to, and had children with: Ellen Amanda "Manda" REYNOLDS.
      • This Ellen Amanda "Manda" REYNOLDS was a daughter of Grant REYNOLDS and Susie Jane (CONNER) REYNOLDS.
    • Jesse Charles HICKMAN also married to:
      Loreda (SYLVESTER) STILLIONS WILLIAMS HICKMAN SMITH and
      Frances (MOORE) HICKMAN
    • Jesse Charles HICKMAN and Ellen Amanda "Manda" (REYNOLDS) HICKMAN were parents of:
      • Robert E. HICKMAN (Born 1927)
      • Carolyn HICKMAN BAXTER (Born 1931)
      • Allen J. HICKMAN (Born 1931)
      • David J. HICKMAN (Born 1939)
      • and a stillborn infant
    • This Jesse Charles HICKMAN died 1982 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      Jesse Charles HICKMAN is buried at Clear Creek Cemetery, Clear Creek, Monroe County, Indiana.


  • Roxey Minnie (HICKMAN) CORBIN
    • Roxey Minnie HICKMAN was born 1907 in Orange County, Indiana.
    • Married to Beatrice August "Pedro" CORBIN on 1925 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      • This Beatrice "Pedro" CORBIN was the son of William CORBIN and Vannie (CAIN) CORBIN.
    • This Roxey Minnie (HICKMAN) CORBIN and Beatrice August "Pedro" CORBIN were parents of:
      • James Charles CORBIN (Born 1926 in Indiana. Died 30 June 1991 at his home, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.)
          James Charles CORBIN married Betty Jean BARROW.

          James Charles CORBIN and Betty Jean (BARROW) CORBIN were parents of:
        • Donald W. CORBIN
        • James R. CORBIN
      • John CORBIN (Born 1929)
          John CORBIN married Betty DECKARD (Born 1932) on 1948 in Monroe County, Indiana.

          John CORBIN and Betty (DECKARD) CORBIN were parents of:
        • Kayla CORBIN
        • Michael CORBIN
      • Leslie Harold "Buckey" CORBIN (Born 1942 or 1943 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. Died 23 December 1990 in Midland Hospital, Papillion, Nebraska.)
          Leslie Harold "Buckey CORBIN first married Treva BAILEY (Born 1941) in 1959 in Indiana.

          Leslie Harold "Buckey" CORBIN second married Kay WARBURTON (Born 1944) in 1967 in Monroe County, Indiana.

          Leslie Harold "Buckey" CORBIN was the father of:
        • Paul CORBIN
        • Rhea Dawn (CORBIN) RUSH
        • Ellen CORBIN

    • Roxey Minnie (HICKMAN) CORBIN died on 20 July 1971 in Indiana.
      Beatrice August "Pedro" CORBIN died on 30 January 1959 in Indiana.
      Roxey Minnie (HICKMAN) CORBIN and Beatrice August "Pedro" CORBIN are buried in Greene County, Indiana.


  • Mable Marie (HICKMAN) REYNOLDS
    • Mable Marie HICKMAN was born 12 May 1909 in Orange County, Indiana.
    • Married to Ora Reynolds on 28 November 1925 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      • This Ora REYNOLDS was a son of Grant REYNOLDS and Susie Jane (CONNER) REYNOLDS.
    • Mable Marie (HICKMAN) REYNOLDS and Ora REYNOLDS were parents of:
      • Wayne REYNOLDS (Born 1929)
          Wayne REYNOLDS was married to Lois LAYTON on 20 April 1950 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      • Donald REYNOLDS (Born 1933)
          Donald REYNOLDS married Barb McMILLAN on 29 April 1950 in Monroe County, Indiana.
          Donald REYNOLDS and Barb (McMILLAN) REYNOLDS were parents of:
        • Donald "Donnie" Reynolds
        • Larry Reynolds
        • Linda Reynolds
      • Kenneth Austin REYNOLDS (Born 1937)
          Kenneth Austin REYNOLDS married Wanda K. STIVERS on 11 January 1960 in Monroe County, Indiana.
      • Betty (REYNOLDS) PITTMAN (Born 1941)
          Betty REYNOLDS married Jerald "Jerry" PITTMAN on 14 April 1959.
          Betty (REYNOLDS) PITTMAN and Jerald "Jerry" PITTMAN were parents of:
        • Debbie Pittman
        • Sherry Pittman
    • Mable Marie (HICKMAN) REYNOLDS died 07 April 1983 in Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.
      Mable Marie (HICKMAN) REYNOLDS is buried in Clear Creek Cemetery, Clear Creek, Monroe County, Indiana.


  • Fifth Child. NOTE: The 1910 U. S. Census in Orange County, Indiana indicated that Mary Elizabeth (Fears) Hickman had given birth to five children by that time, with four of these children surviving. We do not know anything about this other child. Even this child's two surviving siblings (Harold & Rhea, who were born after the birth and death this child) do not know the identity of this child. We only know that this child must have died in infancy or childhood. It is likely that this child did not live long since he or she is not known to surviving siblings.

  • Harold Ellsworth HICKMAN
    • Harold Ellsworth HICKMAN was born 1920 in Illinois.
    • Married to Winifred Jean EDDLEMAN (Born 1930) in 1948 in Johnson County, Indiana.
      • This Winifred Jean (EDDLEMAN) HICKMAN was the daughter of Clarence Noble EDDLEMAN and Elda Elizabeth (ROUTH) EDDLEMAN
    • This Harold Ellsworth HICKMAN and Winifred Jean (EDDLEMAN) HICKMAN were parents of:
    • This Harold Ellsworth HICKMAN and Winifred Jean (EDDLEMAN) HICKMAN were grandparents of:
      • April Sue SATER (Born 1973 in Indiana.)
        April Sue SATER married Scott Bradley SCHOOLEY (Born 1973).
      • Kenneth Adam SATER (Born 1976 in Indiana.)
        K. Adam SATER married Audra Ann MILLER (Born 1978 in Indiana).


  • Rhea Dawn (HICKMAN) BRINSON
    • Rhea Dawn HICKMAN was born 1924 in Indiana.
    • Married to Rollie Marvin BRINSON in 1946 in Indiana.
      • This Rollie Marvin BRINSON was the son of Rollie "Bill" BRINSON (Born 16 August 1890) and Edna M. (JOHNSON) BRINSON.
    • The Rhea Dawn (HICKMAN) BRINSON and Rollie Marvin BRINSON were the parents of:
      • Maribeth (no middle name) BRINSON (Born 1948 in Indiana.)

      • Sources:

    • Orange County, Indiana birth records
    • Orange County, Indiana marriage records
    • Orange County, Indiana death records
    • Lawrence County, Indiana birth records
    • Lawrence County, Indiana marriage records
    • Lawrence County, Indiana death records
    • Monroe County, Indiana birth records
    • Monroe County, Indiana marriage records
    • Monroe County, Indiana death records
    • Obituaries from Herald-Times (formerly Herald-Telephone), Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana
    • Various funeral home flyers from funerals of Hickman relatives
    • Cemetery marker words from various cemeteries in Monroe and Orange Counties, Indiana.
    • U. S. Census Records
    • U. S. Civil War Records, Indiana Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana
    • First person accounts of Charles Ambrose Hickman, Jr. (Mary's husband)
    • First person accounts of Harold Ellsworth Hickman (Son of Charles Ambrose Hickman, Jr.)
    • Interview with Rupert Clark HICKMAN (son of William HICKMAN 1886-1954).
    • Interview with Genevieve Belle (HICKMAN) KOONTZ (daughter of William Hickman 1886-1954).
    • Interview with Mary (LANE) BARNETT, a niece of Mary Elizabeth (FEARS) HICKMAN's husband.
    • Interview with Charles LANE, a nephew of Mary Elizabeth (FEARS) HICKMAN's husband.
    • Research of Maribeth Brinson (Granddaughter of Charles Ambrose Hickman, Jr.)
    • Research of Betrina Marcey Lee (Great-granddaughter of Charles Ambrose Hickman, Jr.)
    • Research of Rev. Claude Wilson, a descendant of John Hickman and Isaac Hickman.
    • Identified ancestral photographs


    See more pictures of Mary and other relatives
    at my Genealogy Photos Page!


    Read more about this HICKMAN family
    at http://grand_uncle_mark.home.insightbb.com/hickman.html


    Read about Mary's FEARS Family
    at http://grand_uncle_mark.home.insightbb.com/fears.html


    Read about Mary's FARNSLEY ancestors
    at http://grand_uncle_mark.home.insightbb.com/farnsley.html



    See Also:







    Copyright 1996-2006, Granduncle Mark
    (Mark Ellsworth Hickman, PhD)



    Granduncle Mark's Genealogy Parlor

    Click here to contact me