Artist in Wood, Simon Brickl is Dead at 94. A natural-born wood carver, who could have become well known as an artist had he cared to sell or even display his works outside of his home, died in Plain Saturday at the age of 94. He was Simon Brickl, lifelong resident of the Plain area, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Brey, after a short illness.

At age 6, Simon immigrated to America with his parents, Daniel L. Brückl (Brueckl) and Katharina Rötzer (Roetzer). They departed from Bremen, Germany, on the vessel "S.S. Leipzig" and arrived on April 6, 1872, at Castle Garden in New York, New York. The Brückl family appeared on page 8 of the ship manifest, lines 20-29.

An obituary reported that "Mr. Brickl, who never had a lesson in wood-carving in his life, carved lifelike birds, animal and other figures, graceful in design and accurate in proportion, and painted them in glowing colors. He refused to sell any - but gave them away to anyone who admired his work.

Years ago, when a cyclone destroyed St. Luke's Catholic Church, Brickl carved new fingers and toes for damaged statues so skillfully that the difference could hardly be detected.

Probably the greatest evidence of his artistry are the Stations of the Cross leading up the hill to St. Anne's Chapel. They are a rare example of the work of a native craftsman-artist.

Mr. Brickl and his wife, the former Barbara Blau, celebated their 65th wedding anniversary in 1953 a short time before her death in the same year. They had been married April 11, 1888, in St. Luke's Catholic church.

Mr. Brickl farmer in the Plain area for many years before his retirement. A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Luke's" Catholic Church in Plain.

Simon and Barbara (Blau) Brickl had 11 children: Mary Katherine Dischler, Anastasia M. Brey, John George, Herman D., Michael S. Margaret B. Lins, Daniel A., Caroline Theresia (died at age 1), Albert J., Rev. Francis Caspar "Frank" Brickl, Agatha Brickl Riek.