Mrs Ellen Bicket

BICKET

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 15:11:57

Mrs Ellen Bicket has resided in Boone county for only a short period, but already she has gained a wide acquaintance and won the friendship of many with whom she has been brought in contact and she and he r family are regarded as valued acquisitions to the citizenship of this portion of Iowa. She bore the maiden name of Ellen Pratt, and is a native of Wisconsin. After arriving at years of womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to William a Bicket, who was born in Toronto, Canada, on September 9, 1842, and is a son of James B and Jane (Leckie) Bicket. The father was a native of Scotland and in his youth went to Canada, while the mother was bon in Kingston, Canada, and both parents of our subject died in the Dominion. They had five children, but with the exception of Agnes, who is the wife of George Mitchell, of Toronto, Canada, all are now deceased.
Like the other members of the family, Mr Bicket pursued a common school education and when about twenty years of age he went to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming until 1863. In that year he enlisted in Company A, of the Seventh Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers, and was detailed as recruiting clerk at Fort Snelling where he was stationed until after the close of the war. At that time he was mustered out of the service after which he went to Chicago and accepted the position of bookkeeper for his uncle, with whom he remained for several years. He then went tot eh 40 thousand acres Sullivan farm, in Ford county, Illinois, now known as the Hiram Sibley farm, where he was engaged in keeping books for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Texas, remaining there for a year and a half, after which he returned to the Sullivan farm and began taking charge of the books, acting in that capacity until the extensive tract of land passed in to the control of Hiram Sibley, of Rochester, New York, at which time Mr Bicket became manager, acting in that capacity with excellent ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned until his death. He was a man of excellent business and executive force, well qualified for the important duties that devolved upon him.
Unto Mr and Mrs Bicket were born eight children: Mary Gertrude is the wife of Rev Elbert Alford , a Methodist Episcopal clergyman now located in Peoria, Illinois, Nellie Louise resides with her mother, Harry Leckie died at the age of fifteen months, Effie May is the wife of John Hirdlicka, a bookkeeper on the Hiram Sibley farm, at Sibley, Illinois. James Pratt is a deskman of the Associated Press of Chicago, William Albert died at the age of one year, Grace Darling is at home with her mother, Hiram Sibley is now engaged in general farming and stock raising on the home farm in Beaver township, Boone county, After attending the common schools the children were all afforded college or business courses, Mr and Mrs Bicket desiring that their family should be well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life.
Fraternally he was a prominent man, holding membership with eh Knight Templars, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic, In his political affiliations he was a Republican and took an active part in local, state and municipal politics. For several years he served as county supervisor and at different times held many minor offices in Illinois. Several times he was chosen as a delegate to national conventions and took an active part in the committees of the same. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was a very prominent, consistent and loyal member, thereby contributing most generously and liberally to its support. He had an especial regard for the needy, and his benevolent spirit came as a blessing to many of his fellow men. He was indeed a friend to those that needed assistance and heartfelt regret was manifested at the time of his demise by many whom he had befriended in the dark hour of adversity. It was on April 10, 1896, that Mr Bicket was called to his final rest and thus closed a most useful, honorable and active career, but his member is still enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him, while his influence remains as a blessed benediction to those with whom he was associated.
After the death of her husband Mrs Bicket removed with her family to Chicago, Illinois, in the fall of 1897, and there remained until March 17, 1902, when they came to Beaver township, Boone county, and settled upon the land purchased several years ago by the husband and father. Mrs Bicket now owns 480 acres on section s 20 and 21, Beaver township, and has recently erected a modern 8 room residence and expects to build a large barn and cattle sheds and make other improvements upon the farm this season. She lately had a well dug, in which water is constantly flowing with great force, and it is said by experts to be one of the best wells in this part of the state. Mrs Bicket and family are educated and refined people and have already been warmly welcomed to the social circles of Boone county.

1902 Boone County History Book