A Naturalist Comes North…
Born in 1872, the third child of a large farming family in Haldimand County near the shores of Lake Erie, Harry E.B. Ricker developed an early love for the natural country-side. Along with his desire to preserve the native wildlife of Ontario, he also believed that the land, evergiving, could satisfy the needs of a new country’s growing population.
While he attended public school at S.S. No. 4 Canboro Township, it was clear that his greatest education was his years helping to tend the farm. Passing the High School Entrance examination in 1885, his duty to the family business kept him from proceeding.
When he finally entered Dunnville High School as a boarder in 1891, his mother soon fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. Returning home each weekend to help with the housework, young Harry continued this double life, helping the family before and after his mother’s death in Spring 1892.
After graduating with a “Junior Leaving” diploma in 1893, he went on to attend the County Model School at Caledonia to obtain a “3rd Class Teaching Certificate”, and began teaching at various schools around Southern Ontario, receiving his permanent certificate in 1902.
Harry Ricker, in typical attire, at a section of the La Vase River
As principal of Plattsville Continuation Class School in Oxford County, he met and married Rebecca Rouse, who was working as an itinerant music teacher.
After this, they moved where principalships could be found: Norwich; Waterdown; Guelph. Over this time (1905-1915), their four children (Evelyn, Bill, Helen & Isabel) were born.
Continuing his education, in 1913 Harry Ricker earned his Master’s degree at Queen’s University (with a Special Standing in Science and a medal in Animal Biology). Simultaneously, he also earned a Public School Inspector’s Certificate, which enabled him to become Principal of Wingham High School from 1913 -1915 (a prize position for an educator).
In September 1915, Ricker was appointed Science Master at North Bay Normal School. The family of 6 made the momentous decision to leave their home behind to face this uncertain new territory.
Eventually, the Ricker family would make its mark – Harry taught Science, Nature Study and Agriculture until 1942, continuing to teach these subjects even after becoming Principal in 1932. As well, he and his wife, Rebecca, worked tirelessly for the newly created United Church from their base at Trinity. Their children went on to become teachers, missionaries and holders of the Order of Canada.
An inveterate note-taker and photographer, Harry has left a record of his years in the North, which now form the Harry Ricker Collection, part of which will be on display in this exhibition.
Once finished at the end of September, this assemblage will be graciously donated by the Ricker Family to the Nipissing Archives, the North Bay Museum and the Fowler Institute of Queen’s.