Bicknell, John 1827-1895

BICKNELL, BLACKWOOD, SULSER, SHELLEY, MACEY

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 3/5/2005 at 17:29:09

A Sudden Summons

John Bicknell, an old and respected citizen of this city and county, died at the home of his son, Frank Bicknell, in Buena Vista Township, this Friday morning at 1:30 o’clock. He had been in the enjoyment of good health, and retired to bed last evening feeling as well as usual. The family heard him breathing with difficulty, and when they went to his bedside he was unconscious, and died in a few minutes. ~ The Newton Record Friday, September 27, 1895

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The funeral of the late John Wesley Bicknell, whose sudden death on Thursday night of last week, we made notice in last weeks RECORD, was held at the home of his brother-in-law, John Nichols, in Buena Vista Township, at 11:30 a. m., on Sunday, and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Mr. Bicknell’s age was over 65 years. He was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, in April 1927. When but a boy, his parents moved to Indiana, where in Wayne and Henry Counties his early life was spent, moving from New Castle to Jasper County, near forty years ago. He had been married twice, his first wife, by whom he had five children, died thirty-eight years ago. He afterward married a Miss Blackwood, in this county, from whom he was divorced about seven years ago ­ two sons having been born to them ­ Frank and Lester.

He had been making his home with his son Frank, for some time, and it was there death’s sudden summons came to him. He had always enjoyed perfect health. Only a few days before his death, he remarked to his sister that he had never felt so well, and that it had been years since he had seen a sick day. Thursday he had worked all day, and retired to bed in the evening, in excellent spirits, little dreaming of the great change which a few hours would bring. Toward midnight his heavy breathing attracted the attention of his son, who reached his bedside only a few minutes before his spirit took its flight into the great beyond. Three sisters of the deceased reside in this city, Mrs. Garrison Sulser, Mrs. Tabitha Shelley and Mrs. Margaret Macey. A large circle of relatives and friends will sincerely mourn the loss of John W. Bicknell.

Murphy ­ … He was buried in the Adamson Grove Cemetery by the side of his wife, who died some years ago. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, October 4, 1895