Born: Montgomery County, Kentucky, 1807.
Died: Mechanicsburg, Illinois, 1870.
Accompanied by his brother, Jesse Pickrell, he came to Sangamon County in 1828. Together the two brothers had three horses and $300. He entered land where Mechanicsburg now is and later laid out that village. He was a man of public and patriotic spirit, and came to know personally every man of prominence in the then large county of Sangamon. In the Black Hawk War he messed with his friends, Abraham Lincoln, John T. Stewart and Elijah Iles. He became a major in the State Militia.
He became a Christian in 1842. At once he took an active and leading part in the church. A man of superior capabilities and spirit, he served the congregation with great efficiency in every position. When no preacher was present, he spoke well to the people. He was always ready for every good work--to instruct the untaught, to encourage the discouraged, to strengthen the weak, comfort the sorrowing, to assist the needy and help bury the dead. His home was noted for its hospitality near and far. Many found a cheerful welcome. At a "State Meeting" held there in 1856, his home entertained sixty-four delegates.
As his ten children grew of age to attend public worship, those who, for any reason, were required to stay at home, cried. One of his daughters became the wife of Harvey N. Edwards, another of George Pasfield and a third of Wm. Bayard Craig. The last, Miss Emma, fed the congregation in a period of weakness--superintending the Bible school, presiding at the Lord's table, and doing whatever needed to be done until the tide turned in the congregation's life.
Mr. Pickrell was a tall, large man, with a florid complexion and gracious manner. He was a prince of the Lord's.