Welcome to our web site! Many hours of work have been put into the research and documentation of these ancestors. I hope you will benefit from the information we present here.
  The main topic of this web page is about the family of  Daniel Charles Bickford of New Hampshire. This work also included associated family members such as the Thompson's, Purdy's, Aldrich, Cole's and many more surnames. Our main source of information came from research at the Branch Library and Branch County, Michigan History Books. Also, there have been many family members who have contibuted information from their branch's of the family. This web page cover five generations of  Daniel Charles Bickford Family and his decendants, along with photographs. Since we started this project, we have meet many wonderful cousins, decending from this family. They span across the United States and share a similar interest in genealogy, and ties to the Bickford surname. We wish to thank these wonderful people for sharing their family history with us.

 

 

 

  Mr. Bickford started his life in New Hampshire and ventured into Ontario, Canada. There he met and married Eunice Trask Knapp and began his family with the birth of Jonathan Knapp Bickford in 1814. Jonathan was born in Melbourne, Middlesex County. Mrs. Bickford had a daughter named Abigail Knapp from a prior marriage, and she was born 1811. It is believed that her father, Jonathan Knapp died about the time of her birth.

  The next account for Mr. Bickford's family is about 1822. He is documented to have purchased 80 acres in Scipio Township, Seneca County, Ohio. In the land deed it states that he came from New York. Between 1818 and 1831 the Bickford Family began to grow and Mrs. Bickford gave birth to five more children. They are Lydia, Charles, Stephen, Judith and Sarah.

When the Bickford family moved to Seneca County, Ohio it was still populated with several indian tribes. These tribes were still at war with each other and with the white settlers. In Seneca County History, there are many accounts of the white settlers and their families being murdered.

  About 1836, the "Bickford Family" decided to move west and seek better land and times. They found their new home in Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan. Even though there were still indians in this area, they seem to be more friendly and tolerant of the new white settlers. The Indians who populated this area were the Pottawattamies.  In 1821, their Chief Topomabee, signed a deed giving the land to the U. S. Government.  In 1840 the trribe was moved by the government to Kansas.  The last great chief of this tribe was Simon Polagon, born near Niles, Michigan in 1830, and died at Hartford, Michigan in 1899.  Simon entered Notre Dame College (South Bend, Indiana) when he was fourteen years of age to study for the priesthood. 

  Daniel and his son Jonathan purchased several acres of land in Algansee Township and began to improve the land for farming. Over the years each of Daniel's sons became productive farmers and prominent citizens of this community.

Mr. Bickford's children married and their families continued to grow within the community. As their children became adults, some of them were called off to war to serve their country in the Union Army. After the Civil War they eventually ventured further west. In the 1870's the children of Jonathan and Charles Bickford found their way to the great plains of Kansas. These children continued the farming trade and raised wheat. As time goes on, some of the family divided up and setttled in Oklahoma and California.

 

 

 

COLDWATER REPUBLICAN

VOLUME IV NO. 63 COLDWATER, MICH. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 375
ALGANSEE INVADED BY OUR TRAMP.

  Jonathan Bickford wandered west in 1837. His first summer in Michigan was spent at Prairie Roads, where he worked at breeding and made an extensive acquaintance. The first winter he was in the State he lived at Ira Purdy's and they built an extra log house. For lumber they drew their logs to Crater's saw mill just south of Dr. William's place in Algansee. He settled on the farm where he now lives in 1840. Mr. B. claims to be full blooded Yankee, although he was born in Canada. His people had recently removed from New Hampshire, and when he was only two years of age they came to Huron Co., Ohio, where he lived until he was 24 years of age. He is 64 years old. He was a citizen of the township at the time it was organized, and Mrs. B. still has in her possession the ballot-box used at the first election. The people of the township sent a petition to the Legislature to have the township named Carleton, but he does not know why the name of Algansee was given it. The people considered it a very ugly name on the start, but "what's in a name!"

  Joseph Berry was around trading horses and collecting taxes while it was yet an embraced in the township of Quincy. The road running from Hall's Corners to Quincy was the second road through the township, and was worked through before being laid out, Mr. B. helping to work it. For nine years he was Commissioner of Highways and helped to lay out a great many roads and contract for the erection of crossways and bridges. He corroborates Mr. Goodman's assertion that the first school house was just east of Simkins Corners. The first teacher in the school house was Phoebe Curtis. Ezra Berry preached in this vicinity in an early day. Mr. Bickford's sister was a teacher at Purdy's in early life. Mr. B. is of the opinion that a son of Lyman Robbins practiced medicine in the township previous to the coming of Dr. Williams.  Dr. Bennett, of Coldwater, commenced his practice here. The first death that occurred in the township was that of Roswell Haywood, as near as can be ascertained. The maiden name of Mrs. B. was Purdy, and she, too, is an old pioneer, her father Horace Purdy, came to the township in 1837. He died five years ago at the age to 67 years. He settled one and three-quarters miles east of Burch's Corners on the farm now owned by Mr. Hawes. Her father went to the prairies of Indiana for wheat, for which he paid $2 per bushel. The man of whom he purchased shed tears, as he was afraid he was not getting the market price for his grain.

  Her father killed three bears who had been stealing pork from him. Mrs. Bickford is another Yankee born in Canada. She was married to Mr. B. 39 years ago, at which time they commenced alone on the farm where they now reside. They have raised five children on this farm, and now in their old age they are left alone again. Two of their sons have recently removed to Harper Co., Kansas, one of whom was elected to the office of  Sheriff in that county last fall.

 

 

COLDWATER REPUBLICAN
VOLUME IV. NO. 75 COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1879. WHOLE NUMBER 387

ALGANSEE STILL INVADED

  Chas. Bickford is 58 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, Ohio. In 1838 his father's people moved to Algansee and located on the farm now owned by Stephen Bickford. At the time of his parent's removal to his township he was 17 years of age. His father died Sept. 20th, 1859, at the age of 63 years. When Mr. B. settled upon his farm there were one and one-half acres cleared and he commenced life in a very humble way, but he did indulge in one luxury in which he excelled his neighbors. He purchased brick and built a brick fire-place, oven and chimney, but aside from that his furniture was very limited. There were no chairs, tables, or any furniture of that kind in the house. The first meal was eaten on chips, and for chairs they used block sawed from the ends of the house logs. The cooking was done in a kettle, which answered for cooking potatoes, frying meat and boiling water for tea. The present condition of the family, however, has little about it to remind one that they commenced life upon so nearly fundamental principles. They have an old, improved farm with good buildings, and in all probability will never again be under the necessity of living with like economy. Mr. B. expected an attack of ague just as regularly as the recurrence of the seasons and managed his work with special reference to such an emergency. At one time while he was suffering from his malady a man came to him and wanted to sell him a piece of land which he now owns, offering it to him for one hundred and fifty dollars, and giving him any length of time to pay for it; but Mr. B. peremptorily declined to purchase at any price, as he only wished to see what he already had and get out of the country as soon as possible. Three years later he purchased the land for $500 and thought it a good bargain. The first school taught in the township was in a private house east of Simkins' Corners and was taught by a Miss Woodard. The first school house erected was on the farm of Alonzo George, and it was built without any district organization. The first two schools were taught by David Bovee and a Mr. McNitt, since deceased, but which came first we could not ascertain. The Quincy Channel Company's across his place, where they have 175 rods of solid digging. Mrs. Bickford, whose maiden name was Thompson, came with her people to Michigan 42 years ago. Her people located where Hiram Thompson now lives, on the town line between California and Camden townships. She is 52 years of age. She was married 33 years ago last fall, and is the mother of six children, all of whom are now living. Mrs. B. was born in Canada, but as her people only resided there a short time she claims to be a thorough going Yankee.

 

 

 

NEWS PAPER ARTICLE     COLDWATER REPUBLICAN
VOL. IV NO. 77 COLDWATER, MICH., TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1879 WHOLE NUMBER 389

STILL MARCHING THROUGH ALGANSEE

  Stephen Bickford is 55 years of age, and was born in Seneca county, OH. He was the youngest of the brothers and the farm upon which he lives is the original homestead, upon which his father settled in 1838. The house in which he lives was built in 1838, and is still a very pleasant and comfortable farm house. While this house was in process of erection the wolves killed 20 sheep and two hogs for his father. The hogs were valued at $50 each. The school house previously mentioned as being east of  Simpkins Corners was near his place, and was what would now be considered rather a rude affair. Those who taught in it would hardly, with the same qualifications, get a certificate from an inspector of the present day. Many boys would not get an opportunity to attend school until they were so large that they were ashamed to go, and so never got any education. The maiden name of Mrs. Bickford was Whaley. She is 46 years of age, was born in Wyoming county, N.Y., and has lived in Algansee 36 years. For several years she lived with Mr. Hanchett's people and a part of one year with old Mr. Robins and attended school; was married 26 years ago and has raised two children.

In the book ; Combined 1829-1929 Land and Ownership Atlas of Branch Co., MI. (sketch p. 219, written 1894.)
  Bickford, Stephen,  farmer residing in Algansee Township,  was born in Huron Co., Ohio, in Dec. 1823,  where he lived until thirteen years of age, coming to the town of Algansee in 1836.  He is one of the pioneers of this county,  Indians and wild game being plentiful at the time he became a resident of the county.  His father Daniel Bickford,  was a native of Boston, N.H.  The subject of this sketch was married to Lucy J. Whaley.  There has been born to this union two daughters, one of whom is still living.  Mr. Bickford owns one hundred and sixty acres of land upon section 29, and seventy-nine and one-half acres upon section 30. 

 

 

 

   In presenting this biographical notice of one of the leading men of Branch County,  and a gentleman who is thoroughly representative of its progressive element, we deem it our duty to advert briefly to the life story of those from whom he derives his origin.

  

   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. and Mrs. Bickford left their New England home, and directed 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.  Besides this farm of 140 acres he owned several farms at various times, and gave each of his three sons a farm of eighty to 100 acres, besides valuable property to his daughter.  He amassed money by buying wild land, which he cleared and sold at a largely advanced price.  In politics he was a Republican, and served his township fifteen years as Highway Commissioner.  He was a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church, and was a hard-working and worthy pioneer, whose name is kindly remembered by all who knew him.  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. Frederick, 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 biographical 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 Sanducky 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,  and 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.  On this large body of land are raised in abundance the products of this climate, while the farm is supplied with the modern machinery for their successful cultivation and harvesting, and with buildings for storage and for the protection of the fine grades of domestic animals.

  

   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.

 

---