Becknell, R.

BECKNELL

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/27/2019 at 19:13:46

R. BECKNELL

R. BECKNELL, proprietor of the City House, Pleasanton, Iowa, is a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, born October 18, 1834, a son of GEORGE and SUSAN (MOORE) BICKNELL. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Miami County, Ohio, and eighteen months later to Putman County, Indiana, where he was reared. His father was a blacksmith, and at an early age he began to work at the trade with his father and an elder brother, George. In the fall of 1853, he removed to Knox County, Illinois, and lived in Walnut Grove Township four years. In September, 1860, he returned to Indiana, and lived in Putnam County four years, then moved to Brownsville, Nebraska, where he lived until July, 1869, when he moved to Pleasanton, Iowa. He has been successful in his business transactions, and now owns 182 acres of land, sixty-two acres being improved, and ten town lots. His hotel is the best in the place, the table always being supplied with the best the market affords, and the rooms being well furnished and comfortable. In addition to his duties as host, he carries out his blacksmith and repair shop, where he is ready at all times to attend to the wants of his customers. Mr. BICKNELL was married July 2, 1857, in Knox County, Illinois, to Miss ELVIRA BRADLEY, who was born at Akron, Erie County, New York, November 20, 1840, a daughter of NATHAN and IRENE (STOWELL) BRADLEY, who emigrated from New York to Hancock County, Illinois, in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. BICKWELL have had eleven children, but five are living – ROSA EUSTICE, NINE MCKINNEY, NELLIE, JACOB and MAUD. GEORGE died in Indiana, aged seven months; ROBERT, aged nineteen years; ANNA, aged two years; MEGGIS, aged twelve years, and BLANCHE and ELVIRA in infancy. Mr. BICKNELL’s grandfather, ROBERT BICKNELL, was born in England, May 7, 1765. He had two brothers and one sister – JOHN, born September 15, 1755; PETER, born January 21, 1757, and MARY, born December 9, 1760.