Alfred Bicknell

ALFRED BICKNELL, a prosperous and well known farmer, residing in section 17, Liberty township, Labette county, Kansas, has been one of the progressive and influential workers in the county, where lie located in 1867, and has materially assisted in its growth and development. He was born in Knox county, Indiana, in 1829, and is a son of Mumfred and Nancy (Ashby) Bicknell.

Mumfred Bicknell was born in 1796, in North Carolina, and died in 1853, in Knox county, Indiana, where he had lived for a number of years. He married Nancy Ashby, a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, who was born in 1798. She also died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1876, having been the mother of the following children, namely: James; Christiana; John; Josephus; Samuel; Alfred; Mumfred; Austin; David; William, deceased; and George W.

Alfred Bicknell, whose name appears at the opening of these lines, received his mental training in his native county, where he lived until 1862. In that year he enlisted in Company C, 80th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and served in the 23d Army Corps, in the Army of the Ohio. He was mustered out in 1865, having fought valiantly for his country. After the close of the war, Mr. Bicknell returned to Knox county, Indiana, where he remained two years, and then moved to Labette county, Kansas, where he has since resided. He is engaged in general farming, an occupation he has followed all his life. He has a thorough knowledge of farming matters, and has been very successful. He has a large, well appointed farm, which is kept in excellent condition, and presents a fine appearance.

Mr. Bicknell was wedded to Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick, a native of Knox county, Indiana, who was born in 1836. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Pender) Fitzpatrick. John Fitzpatrick was born in North Carolina, in 1790, and died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1845. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, in 1810, and died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1885. They reared the following offspring: James, Pleasant, Lucinda (Davenport), Thomas, John, Obid, and Daniel, deceased; Jane (Chancelor), of Knox county, Indiana; Mary E., of Labette county; Charlotte, deceased; Nancy (Richie), of Colorado Springs, Colorado; William S., of California; Sarah, of Sullivan county, Indiana; and Thompson, deceased.

Mr. Bicknell and his wife are the parents of 11 children, who are as follows: Joseph and Nancy, deceased; William; George W.; Morton; Marion and Grant, deceased; John; David E.; Judson; and Charles. William, who lives in Fort Scott, Kansas, married Sophia Jewell, and has the following children: Arthur; Myrtle; William; Hazel; and Blanche. George W., who resides in Neosho, Kansas, married Maggie Moore, and has the following offspring: Clyde; Alice; Amy; Ella; Fred; Pearl; Homer; and Walter. The name of Morton's wife was Lizzie MacIndoo, and she bore him two children, - Maud and Mont. John lives in Labette county. David E., who lives in Spokane, Washington, married a Miss Goodman, and has one child, - Thelma. Judson, who lives in Labette county, married Dora Hoffman, and has two children, - Fred and Fern. Charles, who resides in Adams county, Washington, married May Willis, and has two children, - Floyd and Forrest.

Mr. Bicknell is a member of the G. A. R., and he is highly respected in the community, where he is considered one of its best citizens. He has many warm friends.