My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

ADAM R. BICKETT, one of the leading men of Xenia, is the eldest son of William R. Bickett, a pioneer of Greene County, and a man highly respected during his life for his sterling worth, by all with whom he came in contact. The father of our subject was born in Sone Valley, Pa., about the year 1798, and emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, during the early years of its settlement. He was accompanied by his mother, who was a widow. Their first home was on new land in the unbroken wilderness. After clearing sufficient space in which to erect the humble log cabin that was their temporary home, he set to work felling the trees and planting a crop to furnish them with provisions. His arduous toil was crowned with success, and he had the satisfaction of seeing what was once a dense forest, inhabited only by Indians and wild animals converted into a comfortable and prosperous farm, well fitted for the abode of civilized man. He was married to Miss Isabel Alexander in 1827, and resided on the farm that he had been instrumental in clearing during the rest of his life. In politics, he was a Whig, but had no craving for political preferment, being too busy with his private affairs to burden himself with public duties. During life he was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church, and died in that communion in full hope of a glorious life beyond.

The subject of this notice was reared on his father’s farm, and attended school for three months during each year, spending the rest of the time in the various pursuits incidental to a life in the woods. Notwithstanding the short terms of school, our subject received a good practical education and improved his chances to the utmost. Being the eldest of the family, the burden of farm work fell early on his shoulders, and he became an adept in the mysteries of agricultural methods.

In 1867 our subject and Miss Agnes Wright, of Xenia Township, were united in marriage. The union resulted in the birth of three children, named respectively: Clinton W., Mary B.; and Lydia C., who died in 1889 at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Agnes Bickett was a daughter of John B. Wright, who still lives in Xenia Township. She died in May, 1879, deeply lamented by her sorrowing family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

January 18, 1882, our subject was again married, taking for his wife Miss Ruth A. Kyle, a daughter of Joseph Kyle, of Cedarville Township, of which he was a very old settler and a highly respected citizen. Mrs. Bickett is well worthy of the universal respect in which she is held by all who have the privilege of knowing her. Mr. Bickett bought his farm of nearly two hundred acres of land before his first marriage, and has improved it himself. He has now one of the best places in the township, all well fenced and under superior cultivation. He erected one of the largest, most convenient and handsomest houses in the township in the year 1885, and lives in it with his devoted family. Although our subject does not seek office, yet he has been persuaded to serve his neighbors as Supervisor, and gave excellent satisfaction, and he has also held the office of School Director. In all walks of life he has made friends, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church, and his outward life gives ample evidence of the depth of his religious convictions. The Bickett name is honored and loved by all in Xenia, and elsewhere where known.

* * * *

This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

View an historic 1901 map of Greene County, Ohio

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of family biographies.

Follow My Genealogy Hound: Follow me on Facebook