2025 Jan-Feb RETA Breeze

The Refrigeration Historian Volume XXX I never met Edward W. Wickey, but I believe I would have liked the man if I had.

Edward W. Wickey, though he would be known predominantly as “E.W.”, was born June 19th, 1866. The son of Andrew Wickey. He was an avid chess player from an early age. He would have a weekly match with George Lewis for over 41 years. Edward married Emma Wolkitt. Their marriage would result in four children. Mable, Edith, Edna, and Wesley. He would marry a second time to Ida. Edward was a businessman and lawyer, passing the bar on 1893. He was also a director of “The Famous Manufacturing Company” of Chicago”, a company his father had founded. He spoke to the National Conservation Commission on behalf of the Farmers’ National Congress. He was such an accomplished lawyer, that he argued before the supreme court. In 1892, Edward would file several patents, none were refrigeration related. But there are instances, though arguably rare, where non-refrigeration patents may benefit society. Edward’s did. He was considered such a local celebrity, that his travels were documented in the local newspaper. Even the rumor of his return for a visit to his family was printed. He was a personal acquaintance of President Warren Harding. In a note President Harding wrote “To E. W. Wickey with agreeable recollections of a strenuous but happy day in the Calumet district, high personal esteem and good wishes, sincerely Warren G. Harding.” They had become acquainted during meetings before President Harding’s successful presidential campaign. In fact, all four republican candidates would

make pilgrimages to meet with local businessmen before the election. Edward sponsored the Harding visit. After the election Edward would be appointed as an attorney for the United States. Such was the power of the iceman, for Edward had co-founded the Pure Ice Company of Chicago Heights in 1912. It is important to remember that in this era the iceman had tremendous power. Often, the iceman controlled a commod ity in such high demand that, the control of the supply provided political power. It took tremendous skill, a wide breadth of knowledge, and political power to rise to leadership in the Ice Association. Edward was no exception. Edward would eventually become the president of the Indiana Ice Manufac turer’s Association. Through none of the ice associations wielded the power of the Southern Ice Exchange, the Indiana association was well respected. His 1920 speech at the Michigan lce Industries Association, “What the Ice man Owes” re-enforced his place in

refrigeration history. Both as an iceman and as a humanitarian. Edward served in various roles with the Indiana Ice Manufacturer’s Association for years. As vice-president, he would offer the Defense Council, the use of Indiana ice houses to assist with the war effort. In the early days, Ice manufactures and dealers held the same power in the community as the oil barons. In Edward’s time, the world was changing and refrigeration was a vital part of that change. Edward would be called before our lord in August 1939. He was entombed at the Oak Hill cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. Information for this article included information from Ice and Refrigeration Illustrated, various newpaper articles, annual proceedings, historical notes, and articles. The information used to generate this article is believed factual. Should you have any corrections or additional information pertaining to this article please forward them to the editor.

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