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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON IRA P. BICKFORD

Daniel Bickford, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the early pioneers who have long since gone to their reward.  He was born in one of the New England States, and there grew to manhood, and was united in marriage with Mrs. Eunice (Trask) Knapp, whose parents resided in Keene, N.Y.  By her first marriage she became the mother of one child.  Soon after marriage Mr. & Mrs. Bickford left their New England home, and directing their steps westward, settled in Seneca County, Ohio, whence they soon afterward removed to Huron County.  In 1837 they disposed of their possessions in the Buckeye State, and coming to Michigan, settled in Algansee Township, this county, where the father purchased about 140 acres of unimproved land, and there passed the remainder of his days in the noble occupation of making "two blades of grass grow where but one grew before."  They reared a family of six children, as follows:  Jonathan, who is deceased; Lydia, Mrs Brown; Charles, Stephen, Judith and Sarah (deceased).

Jonathan K. Bickford, son of Daniel Bickford and the father of our subject, and his wife, Phebe A. Purdy, were both born in Canada, where their respective parents resided for a short time, and when small children they were brought by their parents to Huron County, Ohio, where they grew to maturity.  About 1836 Mr. Bickford came to Michigan, and entered land on section 18, Algansee Township, which he labored to convert into a farm and prepare for the reception of his bride.  His marriage took place in 1840, in the same township, to which his wife's parents had removed from Ohio.  After marriage he settled on this farm, on which he continued to reside until his death in May, 1882.  Mrs. Bickford is still living, and makes her home at the old homestead.  Their family comprised five children, who are recorded as follows:  C.M. is a farmer residing in Harper County, Kan.; Charles D. died in Comanche County, Kan., in 1887; Ira P. is the third in order of birth; Eunice T. became the wife of E.S. Grederick, and died in Harper County, Kan.; Olive E. was first married to Alvine Dove, and some time after his death she became the wife of Edgar Aldrich, of Coldwater.

The subject of this sketch was born on section 18, Algansee Township, March 12, 1844, and has been a resident of this township continuously ever since.  He was reared to farm pursuits, acquiring at the same time such education as was obtainable in the public schools of the township, and was thus engaged until his marriage.  This important event in the life of our subject occurred in 1865, Miss Mary Craig being the second contracting party.  Mrs. Bickford was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 27, 1846, and is the daughter of Harrison and Adeline (Lybarker) Craig, natives respectively of Vermont and Pennsylvania.  They were married in Ohio, and about the year 1852 left the Buckeye State, and coming to Branch County, settled in Algansee Township, where they resided until the death of the father in 1861; the mother is still living.  Their family numbered three children, as follows:  Mary, the wife of our subject; Melissa, Mrs. Lewis Dove, an Sarah, the wife of Samuel Knecht.  The parents were members of the United Brethren Church.  After marriage Mr. Bickford brought his bride to the old homestead, where they still reside, and he now owns a total of over 100 acres of land, while Mrs. Bickford owns forty acres.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bickford has been blessed by the birth of four children: Ela, the wife of Alva C. Ayres; Alice, Ethbert and Dora.  Mr. Bickford has acted as executor of his father's estate, and has also been the administrator of other estates, which his tact and ability settled satisfactorily.  In politics he is a Republican, and is a man of influence in his party.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Horace Purdy, also came to Algansee Township, where he was among the earliest pioneers, and the first town meeting was held at his residence.