David-Wickerd_Leona-Slocum-Wickerd

David Wickerd, the son of Isaiah and Affa Stephens, was born October 7, 1869 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. David Wickerd died September 12, 1948 in Perris, Riverside County, California.

Leona Pearl Slocum, the daughter of William Neill Slocum and Luella Jane Fish, was born August 17, 1882 in San Mateo County, California. Leona Pearl Slocum Wickerd died, March 7, 1945 in Perris, Riverside County, California.

David and Leona settled in Antelope-Menifee Valley, about 30 miles south of Riverside, after leaving Eagle Rock, L.A. County, CA. Several Wickerd families settled in the same area which became known as Wickerdville. The road that went by my Grandparents house is known as Wickerd Road.

The things I remember about my Grandparents are those things a child remembers. I remember my Grandmother serving me a bowl of soup and me thinking about how beautiful she looked in her crisp apron with her soft white hair curling around her face.

I remember huge family gatherings where several batches of ice cream were being cranked. Each person took their turn at cranking. That was before the worry of cholesterol and it was made with "real" cream that had been skimmed from the top of the fresh milk. It was so yummy!!!

The other thing I remember is the wooden barrels my Grandpa used for curing Olives. One day my cousin and I decided to help ourselves to the olive barrel and that was the wrong thing to do! We were read the Riot Act! Then it was explained to us that the olives are cured with lye which was very bad for us. It would eat us up! It took a couple of weeks to cure those olives which seemed like eternity to us kids.

Introducing our "City Cousins" and newcombers to the Olive Tree was so much fun! Just before they are picked for curing, the olives turn a beautiful purple-black. Now if you have never had an olive straight off the tree, I advise you to NEVER try one! They are so bitter they will keep you puckering for the rest of your days!
Sincerely,
Evelyn Hanks