PORTRAIT AND
BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
pg 609, 610
MATHEW A. BICKETT, one of the representative farmers of Xenia Township, owns and operates a fine farm lying some two and one-half miles from Xenia Court House. He is a native of Greene County, Ohio, where he was born January 19, 1831, in a house which is only about a quarter of a mile from his present home. His father, William R. BICKETT, was one of the pioneers of the county having made choice of it for a dwelling place in the year 1818, while it was yet a wilderness. The region which had recently been the home of the Indian, shortly began to wear the aspect of civilization, as the advent of the white man caused the original forest to disappear, and its place to be taken by fields of waving corn and golden grain.
William BICKETT was a native of Coaquilla Valley, Pa., where he was born in the year 1796 or 1798, the date is uncertain, and which was his home until he arrived at the age of about twenty-one when he started for the “far West” in company with his mother, sister, and one brother. The party reached Greene County, in the year 1818, having made the trip with a six-horse team. The first winter was passed in the house of Robert HAMMELL, a brother-in-law of Mr. BICKETT. In the following spring he bought about one hundred and fifty acres of woodland upon which he and his John erected a log cabin that was the home of their mother for a number of years. As rapidly as possible they cleared and improved the farm, and provided for the wants of the mother and sister who were dependent upon their exertions. Deer, wild turkey and other game abounded, and they could always procure plenty for the table by simply using their trusty muskets.
In 1827 William R. BICKETT and Miss Isabella ALEXANDER were united in marriage, and took up their residence on the old home farm. The fruit of this union was six children, three boys, and three girls. The boys are all married and living within one-half mile of the old homestead. Mr. BICKETT died in 1865. Mrs. BICKETT survived him some twenty years, departing for the better land in April, 1885.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the commons schools, and assisted on the farm in the intervals. When school life was over, he continued to work on the home place until about the time of his father’s death. May 30, 1865, our subject and Miss Caroline E. KENDALL were united in marriage. He then purchased his present place of one hundred and eighty-one acres of land, and began business for himself as a general farmer and stock-raiser. His stock consists for the most part of graded Short-horns in cattle, and a fine strain of hogs. Mr. BICKETT has no political aspirations, but exercises his rights as a citizen in favor of the Republican party. He is a highly esteemed member of the society, and a devoted adherent of the church of his fathers, the United Presbyterian, and is a regular attendant upon the services of that body in the town of Xenia.
Mrs. BICKETT was born in Greene County in 1838, about two miles from her present home, and is an intelligent and amiable lady well fitted to make a happy home for her husband and children. Mr. and Mrs. BICKETT are the parents of seven children whose names are: Clark K., Charles A.; William Albert; Annie M.; John W.; Elinor I.; and David Cameron, all at home, and all except the eldest attending school. Their parents are determined they shall have the best educational advantages that can be obtained, before permitting them to start out for themselves in the world.
Mr. BICKETT is a first-class practical farmer, and not only provides a
comfortable and commodious home for his family, but also considers the wants of
his stock. He has one of the finest
barns in the township, it being 40x60 feet with shed and corn crib of 19 feet
additional. Most of the shrubbery,
and all the improvements upon the farm are the result of his own labor, and
reflects great credit upon his ability and taste in the selection of the
ornamental features of his beautiful home.
He derives great enjoyment from the society of congenial friends, and is
deservedly popular with all classes, but finds his great pleasure in the bosom
of his affectionate and happy family.
transcribed by Deborah Brownfield Stanley