LeRoy McVey Bickett




George Hutton Anderson was born May 29, 1876, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH, and died January 3, 1932, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH, at age 55. Buried in Morrow Cemetery, Morrow, Salem Co., OH. He is the son of Jonah Anderson of Ohio, and Hannah M. Ford of Ohio. George Hutton Anderson became a Funeral Director.

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker was born February 10, 1880, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH, and died October 21, 1968, at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at age 88. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Cause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage. She is the daughter of William Penn Baker of Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH, and Helen Margaret "Marie" (Gebauer) Baker of Olan, Silesia, Prussia, Germany.

George Hutton Anderson (age 20), a bachelor, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker (age 17), a maiden, eloped April 28, 1897, and were married April 29, 1897, in Covington, Kenton Co., KY.

The Anderson-Baker marriage was quickly annulled, which legally means that the marriage never took place, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker resumed using her maiden name of Baker.

George Hutton Anderson then married Ruth Mae Ford.

Ruth Mae "May E." Ford was born December 27, 1878, in Maineville, Warren Co., OH, and died April 22, 1961, in Silver Spring, Montgomery Co., MD, at age  82. Buried in Morrow Cemetery, Morrow, Salem Co., OH. She is the daughter of Charles Latham Ford of Gray, Cumberland Co., ME, and Caroline Ward "Carrie" Bramble of Madisonville, Hamilton Co., OH.

George Hutton Anderson (age 20), a bachelor, and Ruth Mae Ford (age 18), a maiden, were married January 5, 1898, in Ohio.

George Hutton Anderson and Ruth Mae (Ford) Anderson had three children:

  1. Harry Ford Anderson: Born February 18, 1898, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH; Died November 22, 1978, in Washington, DC (age 80). Married May 13, 1924, in Ohio, to Marguerite Elizabeth (Weaver) Besuden: Born August 21, 1890, in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH; Died November 20, 1973, in Washington, DC (age 83). Harry was a Medical Doctor. Marguerite was first married August 21, 1916, in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, to Frederick Frank Besuden: Born May 8, 1883, in Columbia Twp., Hamilton Co., OH; Died February 24, 1919, at his home, Montgomery, Hamilton Co., OH, due to Influenza (age 35). Buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH. At the time of his marriage, Frederick was a Quarryman.
  2. Willard Earl Anderson: Born December 18, 1899, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH; Died March 3, 1957, in Knox Co., OH (age 57). Buried in Spring Valley Cemetery, Spring Valley Twp., Greene Co., OH. Married Unknown to Mary Margaret Miars: Born March 1, 1900, in Spring Valley Twp., Greene Co., OH; Died November 23, 1981, in Golden, Jefferson Co., CO (age 81). Buried in Spring Valley Cemetery, Spring Valley Twp., Greene Co., OH. Divorced about 1940 in Unknown. Mary married (2) July 31, 1943, to Joseph Berton Polin: Born August 8, 1918, in Reedy, WV; Died February 28, 2005, at Majora Lane Care Center, Millersburg, Holmes Co., OH (age 86).
  3. Geneva Mae Anderson: Born May 29, 1907, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH; Died June 28, 1938, at Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH (age 31). Buried in Morrow Cemetery, Morrow, Salem Co., OH. She committed suicide by shooting herself. Married about 1930 to George Thomas Morrison II: Born September 25, 1907, in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH; Died December 5, 1986, at Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Warren Co., OH (age 79). Buried in Arlington Memorial Gardens, Mount Healty, Hamilton Co., OH. Geneva's son is also buried in Morrow Cemetery.

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker married LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett.

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett was born May 1, 1883, in Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH, and died May 4, 1958, at St. Mary's Hospital, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at age 75. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Primary cause of death: Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer due to Generalized Arteriosclerosis. Secondary cause of death: Diabetic Acidosis. He is the son of George McVey Bickett of Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH, and Ruth Elizabeth "Lizzie" Simons of the Village of Cedarville, Cedarville Twp., Greene Co., OH. He completed 8 years of secondary school in Xenia, Greene Co., OH.

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett (age 28), a bachelor, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Anderson (age 31), a maiden, were married June 8, 1911, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH.

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett had two children:

  1. Helen Means Bickett: Born August 28, 1912, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH; Died October 25, 1988, at Lakeland Hospital, Elkhorn, Walworth Co., WI (age 76). Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Married October 16,1938, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, to Victor George Edward Fiegel: Born October 16, 1910, in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR; Died November 9, 1985, November 9, 1985, at Holton Manor Nursing Home, Elkhorn, Walworth Co., WI (age 75). Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.
  2. Ruth Gertrude Bickett: Born December 23, 1916, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH; Died February 5, 1987, at Watertown Memorial Hospital, Watertown, Dodge Co., WI (age 70). Inurnment in Sunland Memorial Park, Sun City, Maricopa Co., AZ. Married March 2, 1940, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA, to Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson: Born June 14, 1913, in the Town of Farmington, Waupaca Co., WI; Died October 19, 1996, at his home, Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV (age 83). Inurnment in Sunland Memorial Park, Sun City, Maricopa Co., AZ.



TIMELINE

Clicking on this line goes to LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett after 1940.

Clicking on this line goes to LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett Properties and Cars.

Clicking on this line goes to LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett Daughters 1912 - 1940.


     

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett is buried in the Bickett/Fiegel plot, Grave 9, Lot 6, Block 32, Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett is buried in the Bickett/Fiegel plot, Grave 8, Lot 6, Block 32, Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.


George Hutton Anderson was born May 29, 1876, in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH. Jonah Anderson was a Wool Dealer in the Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH, in 1880.

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker was born February 10, 1880, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. She was named after the three daughters, Gertrude, Pearl and Patricia, of William Means, who Gertrude's mother was a housekeeper for in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 28, 1880, shows William P. Baker (age 40) born in Ohio to Pennsylvania and Ohio-born parents, is a married House Painter, and is living in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him is Helen M. Baker (age 34) born in Silesia to Silesia-born parents, who is Keeping House; his son, Albert M. Baker (age 2) born in Ohio to Ohio and Silesia-born parents; his daughter, Gertrude P. Baker (age 4/12) born in Ohio to Ohio and Silesia-born parents; and his brother-in-law, Charles Gerhardt (age 15) born in Ohio to Silesia-born parents.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 9, 1880, shows George Bickett (age 28) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, is a married Plumber, and is living on Hivling Street, 3rd Ward, City of Xenia, Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him are: his wife, Elizabeth Bickett (age 27) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, who is Keeping House; his son, Arnold Bickett (age 4) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his daughter, Maud Bickett (age 2) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and an unmarried Boarder, William Simons (age 25), born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, a Coal Merchant. Leigh Larson note: William Simons is the brother of Ruth Elizabeth (Simons) Bickett.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 21, 1880, shows William Meens (age 48) born in Ohio to South Carolina and Ohio-born parents, is a married Iron Business Man, and is living in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him are: his wife, Martha E. Meens (age 37) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his unmarried daughter, Gertrude Meens (age 16), born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his daughter, Pearl A. Meens (age 14) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his daughter, Patti W. Meens (age 6) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; an unmarried Laundress, Elizabeth Crawley (age 36) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, a Laundress; an unmarried Servant, Mary Hummell (age 31) born in Ohio to Bavaria-born parents, a Cook; an unmarried Servant, Katie Conoly (age 17) born in Ireland to Ireland-born parents, a House Maid; and an unmarried Servant, Emma Wilson (age 40) born in Kentucky to Kentucky-born parents, a House Keeper.

Leroy McVey "Roy" Bickett was born May 1, 1883, in Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett Birth Record.


   

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker, Ohio, about 1888.


George Hutton Anderson (age 20), a bachelor, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker (age 17), a maiden, eloped April 28, 1897, and were married April 29, 1897, in Covington, Kenton Co., KY.


The Xenia Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, May 4, 1897

A dispatch from Springfield states that it was learned to-day that Gertrude Baker, the 17-year-old daughter of a prominent merchant of Yellow Springs, who eloped last Wednesday with Geo. Anderson, the son of a wealthy citizen of Morrow, near Cincinnati, is at her home in Yellow Springs. The young couple came here, where they took a train for Cincinnati and were married in Covington, Ky., Thursday morning. The young lady then returned to this city, where her mother found her Saturday. Miss Baker is considered the most beautiful girl in Yellow Springs, being a brunette of strikingly handsome face and figure and her elopement has caused the greatest sensation of recent years there. She and young Anderson were students at Antioch college, where they became infatuated with one another. Leigh Larson note: Morrow is a small village located in Warren Co., OH.


The Anderson-Baker marriage was quickly annulled, which legally means that the marriage never took place, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker resumed using her maiden name of Baker.

George Hutton Anderson (age 20), a bachelor, and Ruth Mae Ford (age 18), a maiden, were married January 5, 1898, in Ohio.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 14, 1900, shows George M. Bickett (age 48) born September, 1851, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, is a married Plumber, and who owns his house with a mortgage, and is living at 240 Chestnut Street, 7th Ward, City of Xenia, Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him are: his wife of 24 years, Ruth E. Bickett (age 47) born September, 1852, in Ohio to New York-born parents, and with 5 of the 6 children born to her still alive; his unmarried son, Arnold R. Bickett (age 23) born August, 1876, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, who is not employed and cannot read or write; his unmarried daughter, Maud F. Bickett (age 22) born February, 1878, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, and not employed; his unmarried on, Leroy Mc Bickett (age 18) born May, 1882, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, a Blacksmith; his son, Manley E. Bickett (age 14) born September, 1885, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and his daughter, Dora A. Bickett (age 11) born August, 1888, in Ohio to Ohio-born parents.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1900, shows William P. Baker (age 61) born May, 1839, in Ohio to Unknown and Ohio-born parents, is a married House Painter, and who owns his house free of a mortgage, and is living on North College Street, Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him are: his wife of 26 years, Helen Baker (age 55) born October, 1844, in Prussia to Prussia-born parents, and having emigrated in 1857, and with 2 of the 4 children born to her still alive, a House Wife; his unmarried son, Albert M. Baker (age 22) born December, 1878, in Ohio to Ohio and Prussia-born parents, a College Student; Gertrude P. P. Baker (age 20) born February, 1880, in Ohio to Ohio and Prussia-born parents, a College Student;  and his unmarried brother-in-law, Charles G. Gerhardt (age 36) born January, 1864, in Ohio to Prussia-born parents, a Carpenter.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 6, 1900, shows Clara M. Harrigan (age 29) born October 1870 in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents with 2 of the 3 children born to her still living and having Inherited Income is a divorcee owning her own home free of a mortgage and living in Amherst, Portage Co., WI. Living with her are her children, both born in Wisconsin to English Canadian and Wisconsin-born parents: Winnefred M. Harrigan (age 7) born August 1892; and Wesley W. Harrigan (age 4) born September 1895.


The Xenia Daily Gazette and Torchlight, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday Evening, November 30, 1900

Mr. Roy Bickett has resigned his place as one of the assistants at the depot Adams Express office and his place is being filled by Mr. Wendall Bloom.


The Xenia Daily Gazette and Torchlight, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, December 11, 1901

ALLEGED VIOLATOR GAME LAW RELEASED BY HABEAS CORPUS PROCEEDINGS.

Leroy Bickett, of this city, employed at the Xenia shoe factory, was given his liberty yesterday just as he was about to be committed to the workhouse for an alleged violation of the game law. Bickett was arrested by Edward Huff, deputy state game warden, and was charged with killing rabbits unlawfully. The affidavit was made Nov. 9th last and Bickett entered a plea of guilty to the charge before Raymond Swadner, justice of the peace of Bath township. He was fined $25 and costs but was given a chance to pay, the failure to do so being thirty days in the works. The amount was not paid and Bickett was taken into custody yesterday, but before the prisoner could be taken to the works Attorney Marcus Shoup secured a writ of habeas corpus in the Probate Court. The statute provides that before a case violation of the game law can be prosecuted that the game warden must either witness the commitment of the offense or must have the approval of the prosecuting attorney. This was not stated in the commitment papers and on these grounds Bickett was given his liberty by Judge Dean.


The 1902 Xenia, Greene Co., OH, City Directory shows Bickett George M (R Elizabeth), plumber, h 244 Chestnut; Bickett Arnold R, b 244 Chestnut; Bickett Leroy M, cutter, b 244 Chestnut, and Bickett Maud F, b 244 Chestnut.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, April 13, 1903

Several of the boys who have been employed at the Xenia shoe factory resigned on Saturday and went to work this morning at the National Cash Register works at Dayton. Among the number were Will Jenks, John Fudge and LeRoy Bickett.


On August 17, 1903, LeRoy McVey Bickett was a 3rd Sergeant, 4th Infantry, Ohio National Guard, as they left for training at Camp McKinley, at Newark, OH.

The 1904 Xenia, Greene Co., OH, City Directory shows Bickett George M (Ruth E), plumber, h 244 Chestnut; Bickett Arnold R, lab, b 244 Chestnut; Bickett Florella M, b 244 Chestnut; and Bickett Leroy M, cutter, b 244 Chestnut.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, June 16, 1904

Mr. Roy Bickett, who has been employed in the Xenia shoe factory, left Thursday for Horse Shoe, N. Y., where he expects to take a position with a large lumber firm. A place has been obtained for him by Capt. Charles Bull, who has been located at the point named for several weeks. Mr. Bull is acting as a stenographer and bookkeeper and telegraph operator for the firm, which is a very wealthy one, operating in the lumber business very extensively, and his position is a good one.


The 1905 New York State Census taken on June 1, 1905, shows Leroy M. Bickett (age 22) born in the United States, is a Shoe Cutter, and is Boarding at 131 Herkimer Street, Borough of Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett service record in the Ohio National Guard.


On March 8, 1906, LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard.

On April 27, 1907, LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett was a 1st Lieutenant in Xenia's Company I, 3rd Regiment, Ohio National Guard, and was determined to be the best appearing company in the state yet inspected.

The 19xx Xenia, OH, City Directory shows Bickett, Leroy M, cutter, b 240 Chestnut. Also living there are: Bickett, Arnold R; Bickett, George M (R Elizabeth), plumber, h 240 Chestnut; Bickett,, Maud F, b 240 Chestnut


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, April 27, 1907

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett was a 1st Lieutenant in Xenia's Company I, 3rd Regiment, Ohio National Guard.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett became identified with the rubber industry in 1908.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, March 27, 1909

Messrs Matthew Kump, Charles Casad and Roy Bickett, of the Sons of Veterans band, went to Springfield Saturday afternoon to play with the Cadet band, of that city, which will take part in the childrfen's parade arranged in the interest of the fight for temperance in Clark county.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, September 24, 1909

Mr. Roy Bickett is ill at his home on Spring Hill, suffering with typhoid fever. Mr. Bickett has been employed in Akron.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, March 12, 1910

Mr. Roy Bickett, who is employed by the Goodyear Rubber Company, of Akron, is spending a few days at his home, in this city.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, April 29, 1910

Messrs. Roy Bickett and Archie Dean, two well known Xenia men, have gone into business in Dayton, having become members of the Globe Vulcanizing & Rubber Company of that city. Mr. Bickett, who has been employed for some time by a big rubber plant at Akron, is the manager of the Dayton company. The other members of the firm are Dayton men named W. H. Overpack and F. N. Trissel.


The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1910, shows Geo. M. Bickett (age 57) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, and in his 1st marriage, is a Plumber in a Shop, and who owns his house with a mortgage, and is living at 242 South Chestnut Street, 2nd Ward, City of Xenia, Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with him are: his wife of 35 years, Ruth E. Bickett (age 56) born in Ohio to New York-born parents, and in her 1st marriage, and with 5 of the 6 children to her still alive; his unmarried son, Arnold R. Bickett (age 34) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, and who can not read or write; his unmarried daughter, Maud F. Bickett (age 32) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his unmarried son, LeRoy M. Bickett (age 26) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, who works at a Tire Repairing Shop; his unmarried son, Earl M. Bickett (age 24), born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and his unmarried daughter, Agnes Bickett (age 21) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, a School Teacher in a Public School.

The 1910 U.S. Census taken on April 29, 1910, shows Marie H. Baker (age 64) born in Germany to Germany-born parents, and having emigrating in 1865, and with 2 of her 4 children still alive, is a widowed head of household, and who owns her house free of a mortgage, and is living on North College Street, Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with her is her unmarried daughter, Gertrude P. Baker (age 30) born in Ohio to Ohio and Germany-born parents, a School Teacher.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 18, 1910, shows Clara Harrigan (age 38) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents is a divorcee renting her own home and living at 515 Milwaukee Street, 7th Ward, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. Living with her are her children, both born in Wisconsin to English Canadian and Wisconsin-born parents: Winefred Harrigan (age 17) a Stenographer for Automobiles; and Wesley Harrigan (age 14).

The 1910 Akron, OH, City Directory shows Bickett Leroy, wks Goodyear Co, rms 1271 E Market


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, April 29, 1910

ADDITIONAL LOCALS.

Messrs. Roy Bickett and Archie Dean, two well known Xenia men, have gone into business in Dayton, having become members of the Globe Vulcanizing & Rubber Company of that city. Mr. Bickett, who has been employed for some time by a big rubber plant at Akron, is the manager of the Dayton company. The other members of the firm are Dayton men named W. H. Overpack and F. N. Trissel.

Leigh Larson note: Globe Vulvanizing and Supply Co., Dayton. $10,000.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, May 16, 1910


The 1911 Dayton, OH, City Directory shows Bickett Leroy M, mgr Globe Vulcanizing & Rubber Co 234 S Wayne Av res Yellow Springs O

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett (age 28), a bachelor, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker (age 31), a maiden, were married June 8, 1911, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker marriage license, Xenia, Greene Co., OH.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker marriage record, Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH.


               

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" Baker Marriage Souvenir.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, June 10, 1911

PRETTY WEDDING AT YELLOW SPRINGS

Miss Gertrude Baker Becomes Bride of Leroy McVay Bickett, of This City.

In the presence of members of the family and a few intimate friends, Miss Gertrude Baker became the bride of Leroy McVay Bickett, of this city, at the home of her mother, Mrs. William Baker, in Yellow Springs, at 7:45 o'clock Thursday evening. The Rev. William Graham, the bride's pastor, officiated. The home was adorned in masses of roses and other summer flowers, and the marriage service took place before a bank of blossoms. The bride was charming in a white lingerie gown, and she carried roses. There were no attendants and the bridegroom and bride entered together. The wedding march from Lohengrin was played by Miss Williams. A dainty wedding supper followed the service, and later in the evening Mr. and Mrs. Bickett went by automobile to Springfield, starting from there on a brief honeymoon trip. They will live in Yellow Springs. Mr. Bickett, who is now in business in Dayton as a member of the Globe Vulcanizing and Rubber Company, is a well known and popular Xenia young man. He is director of the new band recently organized in this city. His bride is a charming girl, who for some time has been a teacher in the Yellow Springs schools.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, June 17, 1911

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Bickett, (nee, Gertrude Baker), who were recently married, will reside here with Mrs. Bickett's mother. Mr. Bickett is a prominent business man in Dayton, and his bride is one of the estimable and charming young ladies of this city. We wish the happy couple much joy and happiness in the future.


       

This is the picture of LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett, probably from their wedding day, which Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett kept in the locket she wore the rest of her life.


The American Machinist, Hill Publishing Co., 505 Pearl Street, New York, NY, July 20, 1911

The Globe Vulcanizing and Supply Company, Dayton, Ohio, has been incorporated to do repair work and vulcanizing on automobiles. Incorporators, W. H. Overpack, F. A. Dean, L. M. Beckett, etc. Capital, $10,000.


The Springfield News-Sun, Springfield, OH, Saturday, August 31, 1912

FARMERS' INSTITUTE AT YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Bickett (nee Gertrude Baker) are the proud parents of a baby girl born Wednesday morning.


Helen Means Bickett was born August 28, 1912, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, February 16, 1912

YELLOW SPRINGS

Thursday, 7 p. m. - Music, Orchestra; Cornet Solo, Leroy Bickett; Address, "Agriculture in Ohio," (a retrospect,) W. A. Lloyd; Violin Solo, Lowell Fess; Vocal Solo, Miss Rose Cunningham; Reading, Charles Jacobs; Piccolo and Piano Duett, Miss Mildred Carlisle and A. F. Hopkins.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, September 7, 1912

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Bickett are the proud parents of a new baby daughter.


The 1913 Springfield, OH, City Directory shows Bickett Leroy M. tiremaker, wks Springfield Tire & Rubber Co. res Yellow Springs


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, February 22, 1913

YELLOW SPRINGS

Roy Bickett has organized a band,, with 12 members. Instruments will be purchased and then "the band will begin to play."


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, February 22, 1913

YELLOW SPRINGS

Roy Bickett has organized a band,, with 12 members. Instruments will be purchased and then "the band will begin to play."


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, September 12, 1913

NEW ENTERPRISE STARTED IN XENIA

LeRoy M. Bickett Engages in Manufacture of Mechanical Rubber Goods - Auto Service Department.

Mr. LeRoy M. Bickett is the proprietor and manager of a new enterprise started in this city, which bids fair to become one of Xenia's leading and most prosperous concerns. It is a manufacturing concern with all kinds of mechanical rubber goods will be made, including auto tire accessories and a general line of molded goods. In this line of goods the rubber will be converted from its raw state, as it comes from the trees, into the finished product. A complete equipment is being installed to this work, which will be done under the personal direction of Mr. Bickett, who has a number of years' experience in this work. For several years he was connected with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and during the past two years he has been employed by the Springfield Tire and Rubber Company as manager of the Auto Tire and Experimental departments. Mr. Bickett is a Xenia man. He is energetic and thoroughly acquainted with the business in which he is embarking and will undoubtedly meet with success. Locally the concern will be known as the Auto Service Company. All kinds of auto and motorcycle supplies will be carried and the tire repairing will be a specialty. The factory is located at 44 West Main street and is now open for business.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, September 17, 1913

Leroy M. Bickett of this place, has opened an auto repair shop in Xenia. Mr. Bickett is a practical auto man, having had a good deal of experience in that line.


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett worked at a bicycle shop in Dayton, OH; then as a vulcanizer in a rubber factory in Springfield, OH. In 1911 Roy was a shareholder in the Globe Rubber Company in Dayton, OH. In 1913 or 1914 he formed the Xenia Rubber Mfg. Co. in Xenia, OH, after five years of experience with several large rubber manufacturers.

The 1914 Springfield, OH, City Directory shows Bickett Leroy M. tiremaker, wks Springfield Tire & Rubber Co


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, April 7, 1914

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Baker and children of Weeden, Canada, are visiting their mother, Mrs. Helen Baker.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, July 3, 1914

MANY CITIES WANT XENIA RUBBER CO.

Offers are Received From Nearly 40 Places - Company Prefers to Stay Here.

The Xenia Rubber Company, which was recently incorporated with a capital stock of $40,000, has received about forty offers from various cities of the country which are anxious to have the plant locate within their boundaries. At the time the new incorporation papers were filed one of the trade journals published an announcement to the effect that the company was considering a proposition to locate in Dayton. Immediately the offers began to pour in from the boards of trade and industrial organizations from cities in every part of the country. Among the cities from which offers were received were Los Angeles, Chattanooga, Parkersburg, W. Va., Ithaca, N. Y., Cincinnati, St. Louis, Columbus, O., Keokuk, Iowa, and other places. However, none of the se propositions were considered. In the first place, the company originally had no intention of leaving Xenia, and in the second place, if it should decide to leave it would accept offers from places nearer home than those mentioned. London and Yellow Springs are two of the nearby places that are endeavoring to secure the local plant. The public spirited citizens of the latter place have a committee that is hard at work endeavoring to secure the necessary stock subscriptions, and the prospects are bright that the money will be raised. The company has made no effort to sell any of the stock in Xenia. Mr. L. M. Bickett, the manager of the company, informed a Gazette representative Friday morning that a number of local men that had offered to buy stock in the company, without being solicited, but that not a dollar's worth had been sold as it had been decided not to place any of the stock on the market until it was definitely decided just what the company's plans would be. There are two Dayton and two Jamestown men who are financially interested with Mr. Bickett in the enterprise. The interest of these men is placed at $9500 and when the stock is issued these men will have shares representing that amount. It is planned to sell $18,000 of the stock, which is the amount needed for the building and equipping of the proposed new factory. The balance of the stock will be treasury stock. The company's present plant is far inadequate to take care of the requirements of the business. The plant has a mill, engine, boilers, tubing machines and a large number of molds for the manufacturing of rubber accessories. In the proposed new plant additional milling capacity is desired and other machinery will be installed to take care of the firm's growing business. The company has been doing a prosperous business in the manufacture of rubber novelties. One of the principal products of the factory has been a patent hot water bandage, and the present indications are that 40,000 to 50,000 of these will be turned out within the next six months. Carriage tires will be one of the new products of the new plant. The company expects to construct a new factory building which will be about 140 by 40 feet in dimensions. This will be but one floor but there will be a deep basement where the mills and engine room will be located. "We would prefer to stay in Xenia," said Mr. Bickett to the Gazette this morning. "The location of the city is splendidly adapted for a rubber plant, and the shipping facilities here are as good as could be desired. We expect to decide the matter of the location within a few days." This company has without doubt splendid prospects, and it is to be hoped that it will not be allowed to leave the city. It is understood that a number of local citizens are taking an interest in the matter and that a movement is on foot to sell the stock in Xenia. This would mean that the plant would stay here and the city is assured a very valuable industry.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, May 11, 1915

XENIA COMPANY BUYS HOME CITY RUBBER CONCERN

DEAL CLOSED MONDAY FOR THE PURCHASE OF STOCK, EQUIPMENT AND BUSINESS OF THE SPRINGFIELD TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY.

With the stock and equipment the business of the Springfield Tire and Rubber Company was taken over in a deal signed Monday in Springfield by which the Xenia Rubber Company becomes the owner of the Home City concern. The equipment and machinery alone are valued at $20,000 while the business in a flourishing condition is equally as valuable. The consideration was not made public. All of the equipment and stock will be brought to this city and appropriated for the extension work of the local company. It is necessary to find new quarters to accommodate the new equipment and take care of the rapidly increasing business. Several sites are under consideration but the officers were unwilling to state which might be selected although they admitted that there was a favored place, - in Xenia. The Springfield Tire and Rubber Company was one of the most flourishing industries in the state until they were ordered out of their quarters by the owner of the building. The same difficulty in finding a suitable place was confronted by them and finally given up and it was decided to dispose of the machinery and business. In the correspondence of the firm are business letters from Bombay, India, Buenos Aires and other large points in foreign countries. That the acquisition of the business of the new firm will be a big asset to the business of the local firm may be realized from this indication of the extent of business carried on by the Springfield firm. All of the energies at the local plant are now practically directed toward the completion of immense orders for the new composition polishing wheel. This article has met an instant demand upon the market and is having wonderful sales. Manufacturers and men engaged in nearly every walk of life find use for this new polisher. Under the management of L. M. Bickett, the Xenia Rubber Company has grown into a concern of prominence in a remarkably short period of time. Not only is the prominence marked in this city, where the company is looked upon as one of the city's boomers, but all over the state in manufacturing circles and especially in the rubber industries. As soon as the available location is secured and buildings erected to accommodate the new machinery the wheels will be started in motion  on a far larger scale, which will subsequently entail the employment of more men and will bring more people to Xenia.


Xenia Rubber Manufacturing Co., Xenia, Ohio.

Mechanical (M), Heels & Soles (HS), Tire Accessories (TA), Druggists' Sundries (D), Dental Oum (Dl), Surgical Sundries (Su). Pres., J. H. Sanders; Vice-Pres., L. M. Bickett; Sec, L. W. Hunter; Treas., G. G. McClain; Purch. Agts., L. W. Hunter & L. M. Bickett.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Friday, April 28, 1916

XENIA RUBBER CO. LEASES ITS PROPERTY

COMPANY OF CINCINNATI MEN TAKE LEASE ON PROPERTY OF LOCAL COMPANY AND WILL FORM AN OPERATING COMPANY OF WHICH MR. L. M. BICKETT WILL BE MANAGER

The Xenia Rubber Manufacturing Company, yesterday leased its plant, real estate and equipment to a party of Cincinnati men, who expect to form a company and operate the business at a greatly increased capacity. The arrangements for making the lease were ratified yesterday at a meeting of the stockholders, and the plan becomes effective immediately. The Xenia Rubber Manufacturing Company will continue as a holding company, but the plant will be operated by the new company. The Xenia Rubber Manufacturing Company has been in existence for three years, and within the last year purchased the Belden mill property at Old Town, and moved its plant to that point from this city, but retains its offices on West Main street. The plant has been a rapidly growing industry, and has been handling large orders. L. M. Bickett will continue with the new company, as general manager. 


Ruth Gertrude Bickett was born December 23, 1916, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH.


       

Ruth Gertrude Bickett birth certificates, Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, 1917.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, December 26, 1916

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Bickett are the parents of a baby daughter, born Saturday afternoon.


The LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett family lived in the Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, until moving to Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, in October, 1917.


Ruth Gertrude Bickett and her mother, Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett, Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, 1917.


In 1917, the Xenia Rubber Mfg. Co. was sold to a group of Milwaukee industrialists who organized the Everwear Rubber Co. and the business was transferred to Milwaukee, Mr. Bickett becoming General Manager of the Milwaukee organization.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Monday, July 16, 1917

RUBBER PLANT SOLD AND WILL BE MOVED AWAY

The Old Town Rubber Company, and The Xenia Rubber Company, with a combined capitalization of $70,000, have sold their interest and holdings in the rubber manufacturing plant at Oldtown, to Milwaukee capitalists. The deal by which the sale was made, was completed Saturday. The equipment of the Old Town plant will be moved at once to Milwaukee, where a company which will probably be incorporated as The Wisconsin Rubber Company, will continue the manufacturing of rubber products along the same lines, but on a much more extensive scale than was done while the plant was situated here. Roy Bickett, who originated the Xenia Rubber Company, and who is vice president of The Old Town Rubber Company, and secretary of the Xenia Rubber Company, will go to Milwaukee, and will be factory manager and superintendent for the new company. His sister, Miss Agnes Bickett, who has been bookkeeper at the Old Town plant, will also go to Milwaukee to take a similar position with the new corporation. The Xenia Rubber Company, capitalized at $40,000, is the holding company, owning the real estate, buildings and equipment of the rubber factory at Old Town. The Old Town Rubber Company, capitalized at $30,000 is the operating company. The real estate and buildings will be sold and the equipment moved to Milwaukee. Robert Kuhn, a Cincinnati capitalist, is the president, and principal stock owner of the Old Town Rubber Company. He intended the business for his son, Robert Kuhn, Jr., who is secretary and treasurer of the concern, and has been actively engaged in the work. The son recently joined a branch of the military service and has already joined his command. The Xenia Rubber Company was started in this city in 1913 by Roy Bickett. It manufactured several rubber products in the plant on West Main street. Afterward it was moved to the Old Town property, and some time later The Old Town Rubber Company was formed. The plant now employs 35 people and its chief article of manufacture is rubber heels. L. S. Pease of Milwaukee, a corporation lawyer, is here representing the Milwaukee people who will take over the plant. D. N. Russell of Cincinnati is here representing the Kuhn interest in the companies. Mr. Bickett, who originated the rubber manufacturing business in this city, worked hard, and brought the business to a point where it has become an industry which promises to develop into a large concern. He received little encouragement from local capital, but strangers were quick to see the possibilities of the industry.


The Clinton County Democrat, Wilmington, Clinton Co., OH, July 26, 1917

It is announced that the interests of the Oldtown Rubber Company and the Xenia Rubber Company in the manufacturing plant at Oldtown have been sold to Milwaukee capitalists and the equipment of the plant will be moved to that city at once. Roy Bickett, vice president of the Oldtown company and secretary of the Xenia company, will go to Milwaukee as factory manager and superintendent. 


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, August 29, 1917

WORK OF MOVING RUBBER PLANT HAS BEEN COMPLETED

Work of moving the equipment of The Xenia and Old Town Rubber Companies from the plant at Old Town, was completed last Saturday. The equipment, stock and materials on hand were moved to Philadelphia, where the company which purchased the interests of The Xenia Rubber Company, and The Old Town Rubber Company, will establish a rubber manufactory on a much larger scale. Roy Bickett, who was manager of the Xenia Rubber Company, and his sister, Miss Agnes, started Sunday for Philadelphia, where they will be connected with the new plant. D. H. Russell, of Cincinnati, who was superintendent of the Old Town Rubber Company for Mr. Kuhn, has returned to Cincinnati.


The Xenia Daily Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, October 2, 1917

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. Leroy Bickett and family and Mrs. Helen Baker left Sunday for their new home in Milwaukee, Wis.


JPG Helen Gebauer 1.jpg (208605 bytes)           

Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett, and daughters, Helen Means Bickett, and Ruth Gertrude Bickett. Photos taken at the Burnam Studio, Mitchell Building, Springfield, OH, 1917.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, April 10, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bickett and children and Mrs. Helen Baker, who spent the winter in Milwaukee, where Mr. Bickett is in business, returned home Friday.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, June 4, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Wednesday, June 12.

Leroy Bickett of Milwaukee, Wis., spent the past week here with his family.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, July 16, 1918

MISS AGNES BICKETT WEDS A TEXAS MAN

Miss D. Agnes Bickett, daughter of Mrs. George Bickett of Yellow Springs, became the bride of Willoughby J. Chapman of Galveston, Texas, Monday, the quiet service taking place at the home of the officiating clergyman, the Rev. D. D. Dodds, on East Market street. The bridal pair was unattended. The bride wore a tailored suit in taupe. Following the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Chapman started for Cleveland, and they will visit Mr. Chapman's mother and sisters in that city and Akron. They expect to be in Yellow Springs for a short visit before going to their home in Galveston. Mr. Chapman, who is an Englishman by birth, is a wholesale grocer and dealer in ship supplies at Galveston. Mrs. Chapman has been in Milwaukee for the past year, having been engaged there as bookkeeper for The Petley Rubber Manufacturing Company. She came home two weeks ago to prepare for her marriage.


The WWI Draft Registration Card and Registrar's Report dated September 12, 1918, at Milwaukee, WI, shows Leroy McVey Bickett (age 35) was judged OK. L. M. Bickett signed his name on the form. Tall Height, Stout Build, Dk Brown Hair and Gray Eyes. He is employed as Superintendent of Petley Rubber Mfg. Co., 241 Oregon Street, Milwaukee, WI. He is living at 565 Van Remuadt, Milwaukee, WI. His wife, Gertrude P. Bickett of Yellow Springs, OH, was his nearest relative.


The WWI Draft Registration Card and Registrar's Report for Wesley Harrigan.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, October 15, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Helen Baker, Mrs. L. M. Bickett and children, left Thursday for Milwaukee, Wis., where they will spend the winter. Mr. Bickett has a position there with a rubber company.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, November 20, 1918

YELLOW SPRINGS

Leroy Bickett, of Milwaukee, Wis., made a business trip here Thursday and spent a short time with his mother, Mrs. George Bickett.


The 1919 Milwaukee, WI, City Directory shows Bickett LeRoy M supt, Everwear Rubber Co h241 Oregon


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, June 17, 1919

COURT NEWS

A petition asking for an order dissolving the Xenia Rubber Company, was filed in common pleas court today by J. H. Sanders, G. G. McClain, C. C. Hosier, L. M. Bickett and C. A. Harner, directors of the company. The application sets forth that the company was incorporated May 29, 1914 with a capitalization of $40,000 and that in 1917 the company disposed of all of its holdings. The appointment of a master commissioner and dissolution of the company is asked for. Harry D. Smith, attorney.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, June 17, 1919

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Helen Baker, Mrs. Leroy Bickett and children left Sunday for Milwaukee, where they will reside. Mr. Bickett is connected with a rubber plant in that city.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, September 2, 1919

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. Leroy Bickett and children, and Mrs. Helen Baker, left Monday for their home in Milwaukee, Wis., after a week's visit with Mrs. George Bickett.


By December, 1919, the building of the Pan American Rubber Company in Milwaukee, WI, had been purchased by the Lawson Airline Transportation Company, and had begun manufacturing airplanes. Alfred W. Lawson, designer, builder and president of the company. The building was demolished in 2009 or 2010.


The India Rubber World, December 1, 1919

MID-WESTERN NOTES

The Pan-American Rubber Co., now of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, manufacturer of the "Parco" cellular pneumatic inner tire, is building a factory on South First street, Watertown, Wisconsin, which is expected to be occupied by the first of January, on which date the company will remove its office to the new factory address. Its leading product is an inner tire filled with a substance similar to sponge rubber, and which, because of its construction, obviates the trouble of punctures and blowouts.


The Pan-American Rubber Co., previously located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, sold their building to the Lawson Airline Transportation Co., and expected to occupy a building at 600 First Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, on January 1, 1920.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 15, 1920, shows LeRoy M. Bickett (age 36) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents, is a married Superintendent at a Rubber Factory, and who rents his house, and is living at 604 Farwell Street, 18th Ward, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. Living with him are: his wife, Gertrude Bickett (age 39) born in Ohio to Ohio and Prussian-born parents; his daughter, Helen Bickett (age 7) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; his daughter, Ruth Bickett (age 3) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and his widowed mother-in-law, Helen Baker (age 75) born in Prussia to Prussian-born parents.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 13, 1920, shows Ruth E. Bickett (age 67) born in Ohio to New York-born parents, and who owns her house with a mortgage, is a widowed Head of Household, and is living on South Cottage Street, Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH. Living with her are: her unmarried and unemployed son, Read A. Bickett (age 44) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and her unmarried and unemployed son, Manley E. Bickett (age 34) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 3, 1920, shows Wesley Harrigan (age 23) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents is an unmarried Production Foreman in a Rubber Plant renting his home at 184 Knapp Street, 1st Ward, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. Living with him is his widowed mother, Clara M. Harrigan (age 49) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents. Also living there is his unmarried sister, Winifred Harrington (age 26) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin and United States-born parents, who is a Compforacter Oper. in Retail Dry Goods.

In 1920, the Everwear Rubber Co. was taken over as a going concern by Rubtex Products, Inc. of Indianapolis, and manufacturing activities were transferred to that city.

After having resided in Wisconsin for approximately three years, LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett decided to remain in Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1920 the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. of Watertown, WI, was organized to manufacture industrial rubber goods.

William Albert Means died July 28, 1921, at his home, Village of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, at age 89. Buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Lawrence Co., OH.


The Enquirer, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, Friday, July 29, 1921

DAUGHTER

Watches at Bedside

When William Means Dies at Yellow Springs Home.

Former Mayor of Cincinnati Father of Mrs. W. A. Julian, Reached Age of Ninety.

William Means, 90 years old, former Mayor of Cincinnati, died at his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, yesterday morning. One of his three daughters, Miss Pearl Means, was at his side when the end came. Although Mr. Means had been in failing health for several years his death came as a shock, as physicians had assured another of his daughters, Mrs. W. A. Julian, of 206 East Auburn avenue, Cincinnati, when she sailed last Tuesday for Europe with her husband, W. A. Julian, shoe manufacturer and Democratic candidate for United States Senator at the last election, that her father was not in immediate danger. Besides Miss Means and Mrs. Julian another daughter, Mrs. Pattie McElroy, of New York, survives him. Mr. Means was the son of Thomas W. and Sarah (Ellison) Means, of Lawrence County, Ohio, where he was born in 1832. His father was an early settler, who came from South Carolina, and who won success in business and prominence in public affairs. He became active in iron before that industry was centralized around Pittsburg, and acquired the controlling interests in banks in Ironton, Ohio, and Ashland, Ky. In his early years William Means became identified with his father's iron and steel business and represented them in this market, passing so much time in Cincinnati that he made it his permanent home in the early seventies. Here he also became associated with a Cincinnati bank and was prominent on Change, being elected Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce before an unusual turn of administrative affairs lured him into politics. When the more liberal element of the Republican party became dissatisfied with the policies of Mayor Charles Jacob, Jr., who had been elected to a two-year term in 1879, they let it be understood that they would support the opposition if a satisfactory nomination were made for the succession. Mr. Means was then a member of a coterie, largely Democratic, who lunched at the hotel at which he resided. He was a Democrat, but the fact that he had previously taken little active part in party contests induced this coterie to urge his nomination. After much hesitancy he consented and was nominated. The contest was spirited, but he defeated Mayor Jacob for re-election on April 4, 1881, by a majority of less than 1,500 out of 45,000 votes, which was an unusually heavy poll of the citizenry. Mayor Means's administration of the city's affairs was clean, conservative and efficient. His promised reforms were put into execution and carried out to the extent that he felt the purpose of his election had been achieved and steadfastly declined re-nomination. After retirement from the Mayoralty he resumed his business activities, until approaching years prompted his retirement, when he purchased an estate at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he had made his home. For 40 years, while a resident of Cincinnati, Mr. Means maintained a summer home in Yellow Springs and a few years ago he went there to pass the remainder of his life. Recently 20 acres of the estate were sold to the trustees of Antioch College for the purpose of establishing homes for Antioch faculty members. Burial will be at Ironton, Ohio, but arrangements for the services will not be completed until relatives can get into wireless communication with Mrs. Julian.


William Albert Means is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Lawrence Co., OH. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.


   

William Albert Means  and Martha Elizabeth (Campbell) Means are buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Lawrence Co., OH. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making these images available.


In 1921, LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett was hired by the Pan American Rubber Company in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, and the company after reorganization was known as the Bickett Rubber Products Company.

The 1921 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Leroy Bickett living at 900 6th Street, essentially the intersection of 6th and Bailey Streets. Their future house at 700 Clyman Street is vacant.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, December 15, 1923

Mrs. George Bickett, of Yellow Springs, is at the McClellan Hospital, of this city, recovering from a fracture of her right hip, sustained when she fell at her home last Monday. Her son, Mr. Roy Bickett, of Watertown, Wisconsin, was called home on account of his mother's accident.


The 1924 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Leroy Bickett living at 700 Clyman Street, essentially the intersection of 7th and Clyman Streets. This is the home he would live in for the rest of his life.


Mary D. Pease, b. 1847, d. 1924 (Oak Hill Cemetery inscription)

September 25, 1924

DEATH OF MRS. HARLOW PEASE

Mrs. Mary J. Pease, widow of the later Harlow Pease, one of Watertown’s most prominent attorney’s for many years, died last week Monday in a sanitarium near Butte, Montana. Her remains were brought here last Friday and taken to James Boyle’s undertaking parlors, from where the funeral was held that morning to St. Bernard’s church. The interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery beside those of her husband. Mrs. Pease’s maiden name was Mary J. Davelin. She was born in Milwaukee in July 1847, and on June 4, 1877 was married to Harlow Pease, who died in this city in June, 1907. Mrs. Pease went west with her daughter nine years ago. One son Harlow Pease of Butte, Montana, and one daughter, Mrs. Leroy M. Gilbert of Dillon, Montana, and seven grandchildren survive her; also one stepson, Mr. Pease’s son by his first wife, Dr. Edward Pease of Proctersville, Vermont, and two sisters, Mrs. George Hannaford of Boise, Idaho, and Mrs. Wm. McMahon of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Gilbert and daughter accompanied the remains of Mrs. Pease here and are at present visiting at the home of Miss Ella Wilder. For many years Mrs. Pease was one of Watertown’s most prominent lady residents and a lady of culture and refinement whose death is mourned here by all her old friends as that of a most excellent woman.

Leigh Larson note: Susan "Susie" (Huntley) Pease died January 30, 1865, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at about age 33.


The 1925 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Leroy M Bickett mgr Bickett Rubber Products Corp res Watertown Wis


Ruth Gertrude Bickett, and her mother, Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett, about 1925, at the Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Reed Allan Larson picture 13.


Ruth Gertrude Bickett and Helen Means Bickett, 1925, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Reed picture 22. Please note that the following grouping of pictures were all taken on the same day.


           

Helen Means Bickett and Ruth Gertrude Bickett, 1925, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. The picture at the far right is stock photo of a 1921 Studebaker Model EJ Light Six Touring Car.


Ruth Gertrude Bickett, Jean Elizabeth Chapman, Helen Means Bickett, Robert Alfred "Bob" Chapman, and LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett, 1925, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. John Willoughby Chapman photo.


The above array of Wisconsin automobile plate designs from the 1920s and 1930 is from the La Crosse County Historical Society.


Helen Means Bickett and Ruth Gertrude Bickett, 1925, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Reed Allan Larson picture 11.


The Bickett clan, 1925, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman St., Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Reed Allan Larson picture 24.

Back row: Jean Elizabeth (Chapman) Bashor, Dora Agnes "Aggie" (Bickett) Chapman, and possibly Helen Margaret "Marie" (Gebauer) Baker.

Middle row: Robert Alfred "Bob" Chapman, Jean Elizabeth Chapman, Ruth Gertrude Bickett, and possibly Harvey Michael Bashor Sr.

Front row: Helen Means Bickett.


Helen Margaret "Marie" (Gebauer) Baker died July 31, 1925, at Saint Mary's Hospital, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at age 79. Buried in Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH.


Helen Margaret (Gebauer) Baker Death Certificate.


The Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, July 31, 1925.

Mrs. Helen Baker Taken By Death This Morning

Mrs. Helen M. Baker, widow of William Penn Baker and mother of Mrs. L. M. Bickett, 700 Clyman Street, died early this morning at St. Mary's hospital where she had been confined for one week. Mrs. Baker had been in ill health for some time and about six weeks ago she suffered injuries in a fall and this, together with the infirmities of old age, contributed to her death. The decedent's maiden name was Helen M. Gebauer and she was a native of Prussia, Germany, having been born there October 7, 1844. She came to this country with her mother when she was a child of twelve years and they settled near Irontown, Mich. Four years ago she came to Watertown and since then had made her home with her daughter. Her husband preceded her in death eighteen years ago. Besides Mrs. Bickett she is survived by one son, Albert M. Baker, of Wakefield, Mich., and by six grandchildren. The remains will be taken to Yellow Springs, Ohio, for interment, there being no services here. Mrs. Bickett, in her bereavement, has the sincere sympathy of the community and of her friends.


The Xenia Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Saturday, August 1, 1925

MRS. HELEN BAKER IS DEAD IN WISCONSIN

Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Helen M. Baker, 81, for many years a resident of Yellow Springs, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leroy Bickett, of Watertown, Wis., Friday. Mrs. Baker lived in Yellow Springs until about five years ago and has since made her home with her daughter in Watertown. Her husband preceded her in death a number of years ago. Mrs. Baker is survived besides her daughter, one son, Albert, of Michigan, and several grand-children. The body will be brought to Yellow Springs for burial Sunday. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Presbyterian Church with interment in Glen Forest Cemetery.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Wednesday, August 5, 1925

YELLOW SPRINGS

The remains of Mrs. Helen Baker, aged 81 years, were brought here Sunday from Watertown, Wis., where she passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leroy Bickett Friday. The funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church Monday afternoon with burial in Glen Forest Cemetery. Mrs. Baker is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Bickett and one son Albert of Michigan.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, April 15, 1926

YELLOW SPRINGS

Mrs. George Bickett, who has been an invalid for several years with a fractured hip, had the misfortune to fall Tuesday and injure the other hip. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Leroy Bickett of Watertown, Wis., arrived  Wednesday and had her removed to McClellan hospital in Xenia.


Ruth Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Simons) Bickett died September 3, 1926, in the Village of Yellow Springs, Miami Twp., Greene Co., OH, at age 73. Buried in Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, April 21, 1927

Miss Dorothy Gerhardt left Wednesday for Watertown, Wis., where she was called on account of the serious illness of her cousin, Mrs. Leroy Bickett, who is in the hospital where she underwent an operation.


The Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, Saturday, September 3, 1927

Slightly Profane

Said the stones to the river.

We'll block you through and through.

Said he river to the stones. I'll be dammed if you do.

- Mrs. L. M. Bickett, 700 Clyman st., Watertown, Wis.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, April 21, 1927

Miss Dorothy Gerhardt left Wednesday for Watertown, Wis., where she was called on account of the serious illness of her cousin, Mrs. Leroy Bickett, who is in the hospital where she underwent an operation.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Tuesday, March 18, 1930

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bickett, Watertown, Wis., have arrived in Yellow Springs to attend funeral services for Mr. Bickett's brother, Mr. Ernest Bickett, who died at his home in Yellow Springs, Monday.


The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930, shows LeRoy Bickett (age 46) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents and first married at age 28, is a married Manager of a Rubber Factory, and who owns his house worth $12,000 and is living at 700 Clyman Street, 9th Ward, City of Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Living with him are: his wife, Gertrude Bickett (age 50) born in Ohio to Ohio and German-born parents, and first married at age 32; his unmarried daughter, Helen Bickett (age 17) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and his daughter, Ruth Bickett (age 13) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 4, 1930 shows Clara M. Harrigan (age 59) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents, is a Proprietor of a Gift Shop who rents her home for $50/month, and is living at 606-1/2 Main Street, 11th Ward, City of Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Living with her are her two unmarried children, both born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Winifred Harrigan (age 30), a Sales Lady in a Gift Shop; and Wesley Harrigan (age 28), a Superintendent in a Rubber Factory.


   

Helen Means Bickett, Ruth Gertrude Bickett, and Gertrude Pearl Patricia (Baker) Bickett, Possibly near the October 7 to October 10, 1935, held at the Hotel Muehlebach, Kansas City, MO, National Stationers' Convention. It appears that the Bickett family automobile still has the 1921 Studebaker Model EJ Light Six Touring Car, now has a 1930 Wisconsin license plate with Weight Class E. Reed Allan Larson picture 18..


Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, Saturday, April 4, 1931

Bicketts Create Three New Bowling Records

They Turn In Best Team Game With 1,188 and Frank Maertzke Boosts All-Events Standard To 1,922 On Recreation Alleys.


The Scores

THE BICKETTS

F. Maertzke        206    266    217    -    689

J. Lange               248    219    192    -    659

L. Bickett             159    171    175    -    505

R. Hartz'm            216    243    162    -    621

  R. O'Brien            201    289    202    -    692

    Totals . .             1030   1188  948    -   3166


THREE new records, including an all-time Elks mark of 3,166 in the five-man event, remain as testimony to the presence in Detroit Friday afternoon of five pinmen from Watertown, Wis., representing the Bickett Rubber Products of that city, who wreaked enough havoc in the standings of the Elks national tournament to satisfy a regiment of brother bowlers. If their work Friday was an advance notice to A. B. C. bowlers, then the officials at Buffalo, where they bowl Saturday, had best prepare for more changes in the standings. Besides their new five-man mark, the Wisconsin pinmen establisher  an Elks tournament record of 1,188 for a team game in the five men event, while Harry O'Brien, anchor man on the squad, missed a chance for a perfect game when the No. 10 pin refused to fall on his on his second ball in the tenth frame, but he established a high mark for a single game in the tournament with 289. He then paired with Frank Maertzke to take third place in the two men event with 1,220. Maertzke went into the lead in the all-events with a total pinfall of 1,922, bettering by 20 pins the 1,902 mark of the previous leader, Ed Hall, of Springfield, Ill. In establishing their five man record the Bicketts were the services of Art Kreger, their star man, who, being ineligible because he lacked Elks affiliations, was replaced by L. M. Bickett, the sponsor and manager of the team, whose score of 505 was the lowest on the team, and the only one below the 600 mark. Harry O'Brien, anchor man, was high with 692; Frank Maertzke was second with 689, J. L. Lange was third with 659, William Hartzheim fourth with 621.

Pass Garden Bowlers Mark.

Garden bowlers of Detroit, who established a new high of 3040 in the team event Tuesday, saw their leadership fade when the Bicketts took the drives. Maertzke, started out with a 206, having but one double, and Lange followed with a 248, having a triple in the second, third and fourth frames and striking out in the tenth. Bickett, with four splits, contributed 159, Hartzheim split the first four and finished with 216 by virtue of consecutive strikes from the fifth to ninth. O'Brien had a miss on the first, a split on the third but wound up with four strikes iin a row for a 201, the scores totaling 1030.

Misses Perfect Game.

The pins fell with abandon in the second which produced the best shooting of the tournament. The five collected 37 strikes in rolling up the 1,188 total that stands as a new record while O'Brien rapped out his 289, high game of the tournament. He started his effort with 10 strikes and with a perfect game in sight was halted on the second ball of the tenth frame as the No. 10 pin wiggled, but refused to fall. O'Brien made the single pin with the next throw, having missed a perfect 300 game by the slender margin on one pin. With those 2,218 pins the pace slackened in the final game and the five annexed a mere 948, which was 240 pins below their high game but enough to give them the lead by a huge margin.

Singles Lead Stands.

Singles standings stood firm under the battering of the Badgers, but Maertzke and O'Brien made up a formidable doubles  combination and took third place with a 1,220. Maertzke had consecutive games of 213, 223 and 182 for a 628, which added to his 689 in the five-man and a 605 in the singles, gave him a total of 1,922 for the all-event leadership. O'Brien tumbled 244 in his first frame, and 201 in his second, but fell to 147 on the final to count 592. The Bicketts were the only five man competitors of the day in the tournament at the Recreation. Eight outside teams will shoot at their mark Saturday. Des, Ill.; Lakewood and Cleveland, O., are sending two teams each, while Syracuse, New York and Bay City will each be represented by one team.


The BICKETTS team did not do well two days later at the A. B. C. National Tournament in Buffalo, NY.


The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Greene Co., OH, Thursday, April 10, 1930

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Bickett, of Watertown, Wisconsin, were here Saturday making arrangements to start their brother, Earl Bickett to Galveston, Texas. They left Saturday evening by automobile for St. Louis, where Earl will take the train for Galveston, where he will make his home with his sister, Mrs. Chapman.


The Wisconsin Sate Journal, Madison, WI, April 20, 1930

W. A. Schumann Heads Watertown Rotary Club

WATERTOWN - W. A. Schumann was elected to succeed L. M. Bickett as president of the Watertown Rotary club at a meeting of the board of directors last week. Other officers elected are Frank W. Newbouer, vice president; H. C. Tidd, secretary; and E. E. Bentzin, treasurer. They will take their offices in July.


At the 1931 Elks National Bowling Tournament held in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, the Watertown team broke three records and won the tournament with an overall score of 3,166. Elks Lodge 666 members on the team were: Harry O'Brien, Joseph Lange, Fred Maertzke, L. M. Bickett, and William Hartzeim.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Dane Co., WI, April 4, 1931

Watertown Bowlers Hit New Records

Bickett Team Rolls New Mark at National Elks Meet

DETROIT, Mich. - A new record was established in the National Elks Club Bowling tournament here Friday night when the Bickett team of Watertown rolled into first place with a score of 3,166. H. O'Brien and F. Maerzke starred with games of 692 and 689 respectively. Individual scores follow: F. Maerzke: 206, 226, 217 - 689; F. Lange: 248, 218, 192 - 659; L. Bickett: 159, 171, 175 - 505; R. Hartzheim: 216, 243, 162 - 621; H. O'Brien: 201, 289, 202 - 692.


During 1931, an effort was made to move the company to Anderson, IN, but because of the failure of the bank backing the move, after moving some equipment to Anderson, the company returned to Watertown, where it was reorganized as the L. M. Bickett Company, which continued until after LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett's death on May 4, 1958, at St. Mary's Hospital, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at age 75.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, May 3, 1956 (May 3, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Purchase of the International Rubber Co. plant on W. 25th St. by the Bickett Rubber Products Corp., Watertown, Wis., was announced by L. M. Bickett, vice president of the Wisconsin firm, who said operations would be transferred here and the idle International factory placed in operation again.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 6, 1956 (June 6, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

The plant of the former International Rubber Company on W. 25th St., was being placed in shape for the shipment of machinery here by the  by the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation of Watertown, Wis.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 15, 1956 (June 15, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

L. M. Bickett, president of the Bickett Rubber Products Company, said operations at the plant of W. 25th St. were scheduled to start July 1.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 19, 1956 (June 19, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Four carloads of machinery acquired from the Kokomo Tire and Rubber Company were being set up in the plant of the Bickett Rubber Products Plant on W. 25th St.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, July 19, 1956 (July 19, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Operations on a small scale were started at the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation plant, W. 25th St.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, August 20, 1956 (August 20, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Operating with a force of nearly 30 persons and making 4,000 pounds of rubber products a day, the Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., laid plans to double capacity of the factory.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, September 5, 1956 (September 5, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

Some departments of the new Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., were working nights because of an influx of orders.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, October 25, 1956 (October 25, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

L. M. Bickett, president of the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation, reported the factory on W. 25th St. was operating nearly full time.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, December 5, 1956 (December 5, 1931)

25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1931:

F. M. Bickett, head of the Bickett Rubber Products Company, W. 25th St., said an inventory was being taken at the plant.


George Hutton Anderson died January 3, 1932, at his home, Village of Morrow, Salem Twp., Warren Co., OH, at age 55. Buried in Morrow Cemetery, Morrow, Salem Co., OH.


George Hutton Anderson Death Certificate.


The Cincinnati Times Star, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, Monday, January 4, 1932

Morrow Business Leader Is Dead

G. A. Anderson Member of 100-Year Firm. Early Sunday Morning

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p. m., for George H. Anderson, 55, Morrow (O.) business man who was known throughout southern Ohio. Anderson and his father, the late Jonah Anderson, had been in business in Morrow for more than 100 years. They were undertakers and real estate men. George H. Anderson also supervised his farm near Morrow and bred Pomeranian dogs. He was an authority on antiques of which he had a collection, and in which he was also a dealer. Besides his farm and house in Morrow he owned a picturesque camp on the Little Miami River. He leaves his widow, Mrs. May Anderson; two sons, Dr. H. F. Anderson, Washington, D. C., and W. E. Anderson, Dayton, O.; a daughter, Mrs. George T. Morrison, 28 Wyoming avenue, Wyoming, and a brother, H. F. Anderson, Norwood. Funeral services will be held in the Morrow Methodist Church, with Masonic rites. Burial will be in Morrow Cemetery.


The Warren News, Warren Co., OH, January 7, 1932

George Anderson Succumbed Early Sunday Morning

His many friends throughout Warren county were shocked to learn of the sudden death of George H. Anderson, well known Morrow undertaker, which occurred at his home in Morrow early Sunday morning following an attack of acute indigestion. Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church in Morrow at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and burial was made in the Morrow cemetery. The Masonic lodge at Morrow, of which Mr. Anderson was a member, had a part in the services. George H. Anderson was born at Morrow 55 years ago, a son of Jonah and Hannah Ford Anderson, and spent his entire life in that village. He married Miss May E. Ford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford, of Maineville, who survives together with three children, Dr. Hart Anderson, of Washington, D. C., Willard Anderson, of Spring Valley, and Mrs. Geneva Morrison, of Cincinnati. One brother, Harry F. Anderson, of Norwood, also survives. Frank C. Anderson and Miss Bessie Anderson, of Lebanon, are cousins of the deceased. Mr. Anderson was educated in the Morrow schools and later attended embalming school at Cincinnati. Upon the death of his father he took over the Anderson undertaking business at Morrow which he has conducted for more than 20 years.


In 1932, the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. reorganized and became the L. M. Bickett Company, and this reorganized company met with remarkable success specializing in the manufacture of sponge rubber cushions, desk and chair mats, and other rubber products, distributed through the office supply trade.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, April 16, 1957 (April 16, 1932)

AROUND THE TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

The Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., was sold to a Chicago firm for $43,000 on a high bid submitted at a receiver sale.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, May 6, 1957 (May 6, 1932)

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

The Bickett Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., under the management of Ben Beeler, was operation under a reduced schedule.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, June 11, 1957 (June 11, 1932)

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

Contracts that were being filled by the Mid-West Rubber Products plant, W. 25th St., successor to the Bickett Rubber Co., compelled the factory to operate overtime for several weeks.


The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, OH, July 29, 1957 (July 29, 1932)

AROUND TOWN 25 YEARS AGO

Anderson in 1932:

Walter Zeigler, sales manager of the Mid-West Rubber Products Company plant, W. 25th St., reported that the firm has secured as customers four of the largest users of standard rubber products in the country.


The Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI, Tuesday, January 31, 1933

Bickett, Watertown Bowler, Scores 719 to Set League Record

BY BILLY SIXTY

From Watertown comes the news of a record strike flurry by L. M. Bickett in the City league that produced a 719 total on games of 236, 247 and 236. One of the unknowns of bowling, entering his third season on the alleys, Bickett has had remarkable success. At the end of his first year he averaged 160. He went to 178 in 1932 and is now thumping along at a 190 pace. The 719 was his first count over the coveted 700 mark.


The 1934 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Bickett LeRoy M (Gertrude) pres L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickett Helen M r700 Clyman

Bickett Ruth G student r700 Clyman

Bickner Arth J (Alice C) trav h905  7th


LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett and Gertrude Pearl Patricia "Gertie" (Baker) Bickett, about 1935, possibly at Pine Lake, Waushara Co., WI. Reed Allan Larson picture 1.


Office Appliances, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, October, 1935

LeRoy McVey "Roy" Bickett had his picture in the Office Appliances magazine, taken at the 1935 National Office Appliances Convention in Kansas City, MO.


The 1936 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Bickett LeRoy M (Gertrude) pres L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickett Helen M bkpr L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickett Ruth G clk L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickner Arth J (Alice C) slsmn h905  7th


The Waukesha Freeman, Wednesday, June 28, 1937

GIVES TALK ON RUBBER TRADE

Production Discussed at Rotary Meeting

Rubber, Its Development and Production, was discussed by L. M. Bickett, manufacturer of rubber goods at Watertown, before members of the Waukesha Rotary club, meeting for their regular Monday luncheon at the Avalon hotel. Mr. Bickett, who started in the rubber business in 1907, told how the price of rubber fluctuates and what Great Britain and the Dutch, two of the world's largest dealers in rubber, have done to hold the price of crude rubber at a standard price. "In case of war," Mr. Bickett said, "the government has assigned each rubber company in the United States to make certain rubber products. Our company has been assigned to manufacture gas masks and allied products. In 24 hours our plant would be operating at a tremendous rate under government supervision."  It is interesting to note, according to Mr. Bickett, that the work of inland rubber companies has been stressed more than that of coastal companies because of the possibility of air raids by a belligerent country. Guests of the Rotary luncheon Monday were Walter Smith of Racine, F. H. Mayfield of Waukesha, and Charles Doughty of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.


Geneva Mae (Anderson) Morrison died June 28, 1938, at Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, at age 31. Buried in Morrow Cemetery, Morrow, Salem Co., OH. She committed suicide by shooting herself.


The Enquirer, Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH, Wednesday, June 29, 1938

MOTHER

Shoots Self Fatally

Because Of Worry Over Young Daughter's Illness - Found Wounded In Kitchen.

Despondent over the illness of her two-year-old daughter, Mrs. Geneva Morrison, 28 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, wounded herself fatally with a shotgun early yesterday in the kitchen of her home, Wyoming police reported. Mrs. Morrison's husband, George, an employee of the Procter and Gamble Company, was awakened by the shot. He found his wife lying on the kitchen floor with the shotgun beside her. Police said that Mrs.. Morrison, who was clad in a night dress, evidently pushed the trigger with her toe. The charge struck her below the heart. She died soon afterward at Christ Hospital, despite blood transfusions. On the way to the hospital Mrs. Morrison told police that she had been worried over her daughter, Ruth Ann, who has pneumonia. Besides her husband and daughter, she is survived by a six-year-old son, George, Jr. Services will be held tomorrow at the Vorhis funeral home, Lockland. The body will be sent to Morrow, Ohio, for burial.


The 1938 City Directory for Watertown, WI, shows Bickett LeRoy M (Gertrude) pres L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickett Helen M acct L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickett Ruth G clk L M Bickett Co r700 Clyman

Bickner Arth J (Alice) slsmn h905  7th

Victor George Edward "Vic" Fiegel (age 28), a bachelor, and Helen Means Bickett (age 26), a maiden, were married October 16, 1938, in the City of Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.


   

Helen Means Bickett, in her wedding dress, with her sister, Ruth Gertrude Bickett, Bickett residence, 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI.


   

Ruth Gertrude Bickett, Helen Means Bickett, and two others, all smoking! Taken at the Bickett residence, 700 Clyman Street, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at the time of Helen Means Bickett's October 16, 1938, wedding to Victor George "Vic" Fiegel.


The Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, Monday, April 3, 1939

TIMES SQUARE

Minnie Bickett. Minnie is just a dog, but she has been providing a lot of fun and laughs in a local department store. Minnie, in case you don't know, is the pet of the L. M. Bickett family and devotes much of her time to chasing the squirrels that live in the vicinity of Clyman street. . . . Minnie delights in running along the street, barking loudly, as the squirrels scamper to safety in the trees. . . . Some time ago Minnie wandered into the store of Chas. Fischer and Sons and her attention was attracted to the moving coin cars that carry sales slips and payments from clerks in various parts of the store to the office. . . . Evidently Minnie thinks anything that moves is a squirrel, for she set up a series of barks and ran up and down, chasing after the moving objects overhead. . . . Since then she has frequently returned to the store, barking and chasing the little boxes as they shuttle back and forth from office to counters. . . . Now whenever the phone in Mr. Bickett's home rings and somebody informs the family that "Minnie is down here again" they know just what it means.


Office Appliances, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, January, 1940

BICKETT'S DAUGHTER GOES WITH HUSBAND ON COMPANY'S "GOODWILL" TOUR IN SOUTH

The former Miss Helen Bickett, daughter of L. M. Bickett, head of the company bearing his name, who recently became the bride of Victor Fiegel, is accompanying her husband on his Southern trip on behalf of the company. Mr. Fiegel, whose home is in Galveston, Texas, makes the tour once a year and this time expects to show Mrs. Fiegel a great deal of the South, visiting at least twelve states before returning to Watertown. During the long journey Mr. Fiegel Mr. Fiegel will act more ion the capacity of a goodwill ambassador to Bickett dealers rather than as a salesman. Mrs. Fiegel, prior to her marriage, was a bookkeeper in her father's offices and was one of the popular members of her city's younger set.


Wilbur Almo "Bill" Larson (age 26), a bachelor, and Ruth Gertrude Bickett (age 23), a maiden, eloped, and were married on March 2, 1940, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA.

The 1940 U. S. Census taken on May 4, 1940, shows LeRoy Bickett (age 56) born in Ohio, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of High School, is a married President of a Private Rubber Company, and who owns his house worth $1,200 and is living at 700 Clyman Street, 9th Ward, City of Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Living with him are: his wife, Gertrude Bickett (age 60) born in Ohio, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of College; his married son-in-law, Wilbert Larson (age 26) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in California, and with 4 years of College, a Representative for an Automobile Manufacturer; his married daughter, Ruth Larson (age 23) born in Ohio, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of College; his married son-in-law, Victor Fiegel (age 29) born in Arkansas, and 5 years ago was living Madison, WI, and with 4 years of College, a Retail Store Salesman; and his married daughter, Helen Fiegel (age 27) born in Ohio, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of College.

 

William MEANS

Born: 18 Dec 1831, OH

Marriage: Martha E CAMPBELL on 12 Oct 1859

Died: 28 Jul 1921, Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH at age 89

Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Lawrence Co., OH.

 

1900C: Yellow Spring, Greene, OH- 68 yrs, b. Dec 1831 in OH, m. 40 yrs, retired, parents b. SC & OH, w/wife & 2 daughters
1910C: Miami, Greene Co., OH- William Means, widower, own income, all else (unknown), w/daughter, Pearl A

OHIO Deaths
b. 18 Dec 1831 in OH d. 28 Jul 1921 in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH
buried- Ironton, OH


Find A Grave Memorial# 35424023
William A. Means, son of Thomas Means became successful in the iron industry at Ironton Ohio and engaged in the same business in Cincinnati when he was about 45 years old and later became head of a Cincinnati bank. He was the mayor of Cincinnati in 1881-1882. Mr. Means was prominent in democratic politics for many years. For forty years while a resident of Cincinnati he maintained a summer home in Yellow Springs, Ohio eventually moving there to spend the remainder of his life. It was at his home in Yellow Springs that he died, on Friday July 29, 1921 at 10 o'clock. He was married to Martha Elizabeth Campbell (1842-1904) daughter of John Campbell of Ironton on October 12, 1859 by Rev. J. Chester. They had three daughters, Pearl Means (d.1931), Gertrude Means (c1869-1949) and Pattie Means (1874-1921).

William married Martha E CAMPBELL on 12 Oct 1859. (Martha E CAMPBELL was born in Aug 1842 in Lawrence Co., OH, died on 19 Feb 1904 in Cincinnati, OH and was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, OH.)

 

He was married to Martha Elizabeth Campbell (1842-1904) daughter of John Campbell of Ironton on October 12, 1859 by Rev. J. Chester.

Pearl A. Means (born February, 1866, in Ohio; died August 25, 1931, at her home on Davis Street, Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH, after an illness of several years). Never Married, but was intimate with a co-actor married man, John Bereford Hollis, while together in the play "All the Comforts of Home" in 1894 in Cincinnati, OH. In 1911, Pearl Means sold her interest in the Means estate to her sister, Gertrude Julian.

Pearl Means, daughter of William Means, was best known for her acting abilities and in 1893 became professor of Elocution at Antioch College.  It seems that Pearl was also an animal lover and animals rights advocate. According to a Cincinnati Enquirer article dated, June 7, 1894, Pearl became upset when a man “had been driving a very dejected specimen of the equine family.”, and immediately had him arrested for “cruelty to animals”.  It was decided that a jury made up of “respectable citizens” would determine whether it would be best for the horse to spend six months at pasture (which Pearl would pay for) and be returned to its owner or whether the animal should be put out of its misery.

The jury came to the decision that it would be best for the animal to be put to death.  According to the article, “When the final arrangements had been made Miss Means produced a beautiful revolver, which she skillfully handled and one shot was sufficient to end the unhappy days of the horse.

Just prior to her father’s death in 1921, Pearl’s sister, Gertrude Julian and her husband sold the property to Antioch College with the stipulation that Pearl and her father could remain in the house for the remainder of William’s life. Upon her father’s death, Pearl could not bring herself to leave the home that had been in her family for over fifty years. The headline of a local newspaper reported, “Woman Loses Battle to Retain Home; With Pets She Faces Cheerless Future”.

A year after her father’s death, Pearl refused to leave her family home and after repeated requests and offers of assistance to move Pearl from the home, Antioch College had no choice but to take legal action. Pearl was taken to court where she agreed that she no longer had a right to the property, but she still refused to leave. The constable was sent to serve her with official papers indicating that she needed to vacate the premises and when he arrived Pearl was waiting on the porch with a shotgun. The constable left and later returned with Sheriff Deputies who removed Pearl from the home and she was briefly retained in the county jail. The article goes on to say that Pearl and her dog stayed with a friend at the Little Antioch School which was just across the street from her family home. Pearl was not the only one who refused to move from the home, apparently her cat also refused to leave and continued to live on the front porch. Pearl was seen on the porch, feeding her cat, on a daily basis. Once Pearl left the home, Antioch College could make the necessary renovations on the property and the house served as a dormitory for Antioch College between 1922-1948.

While looking at a photograph of Pearl, it’s hard to imagine her pulling out a pistol and shooting a horse or waiting on the porch, with a shotgun, for the constable. What a woman Pearl must have been!  She was an actress, a professor of elocution, an animal lover and obviously skilled at using a gun.  I guess you could say that Pearl Means was a pistol!

 

Gertrude E. Means (born March 30, 1872, in Ironton, Lawrence Co., OH; died March 25, 1949, in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH), married September 18, 1895, in Greene Co., OH, to William Alexander Julian (born August 7, 1861, in Franklin Co., KY; died May 29, 1949, in Bethesda, MD).

Pattie Willhelmena "Patricia" Means (born December 10, 1873, in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH; died October 4, 1921, in a Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI). Married June 30, 1902, in Manhattan, New York City, NY, to Thaddeus Kimball "Thad" McIlroy (1871 - 1927). Divorced before 1913.

 

Martha E CAMPBELL

Born: Aug 1842, Lawrence Co., OH

Marriage: William MEANS on 12 Oct 1859

Died: 19 Feb 1904, Cincinnati, OH at age 61

Buried: Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, OH

1900C: 42 yrs, b. Aug 1842 in OH, parents b. OH, listed as Martha E C, w/husband & 2 daughters

1900 children- Pearl A Feb 1866, Patti W Dec 1873

OHIO Deaths
Martha E C Means b. 1843 d. 19 Feb 1904 in Cincinnati, OH

Find A Grave Memorial# 35425741
FUNERAL FOR MRS. MEANS. - Martha Elizabeth Campbell Means, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell, was born at Mt. Furnace, Lawrence County, in 1842, and married October 12, 1859 by Rev. Joseph Chester; died February 19, 1904, in Cincinnati, Ohio, of pneumonia. William Means and daughter, Pearl, of Yellow Springs, Mrs. Alex Julian, Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus McElroy, of New York, accompanied the body from Cincinnati. Two brothers, Albert Campbell, of Washington, D. C. and Charles Campbell of Hecla Furnace, are the only survivors of the Campbell family. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Nixon, of Park avenue, Rev. L. O. Richmonds conducting the services. A male quartet, composed of Carl Moulton, Allen Dolin, Albert Marting and Gus Kerr sang "Abide With Me." S. B. Steece, Eugene Willard, James Bull, C. C. Clarke, Harry Mountain and Albert Murdock were pall bearers. The burial was at Woodland Cemetery

Martha married William MEANS on 12 Oct 1859. (William MEANS was born on 18 Dec 1831 in OH, died on 28 Jul 1921 in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH and was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, OH.)

 

Pearl Means

William A. Means

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=wiarchives;cc=wiarchives;view=text;rgn=main;didno=uw-whs-whit00bf

 

Summary Information
Title: L. M. Bickett Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1921-1958

Creator:
  • Bickett, L. M., 1883-1958
Call Number: Whitewater Mss BF

Quantity: 0.4 c.f. (1 archives box)

Repository:

Archival Locations:
UW-Whitewater Library / Whitewater Area Research Ctr. (Map)
 

Abstract:
Fragmentary records of Bickett, and of Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co., Watertown, Wisconsin, rubber products manufacturing firms which he founded in 1920 and operated until 1955. The companies manufactured stair treads, shoe heels, and seat cushions. The few personal papers include family letters, financial records, a speech, an open letter to the Watertown business community, and objections to the probate of Bickett's will. Corporate records contain Bickett's historical summary of his companies, articles of organization and by-laws, minutes, audit reports, balance sheets, legal documents, stockholder subscription lists, product descriptions and costs, an inventory, promotional correspondence, salary records, and a retrospective appraisal of the L. M. Bickett Co., which went into bad standing in the mid-1960s.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-whit00bf
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Biography/History

L. M. Bickett was born May 1, 1883, in Xenia, Ohio, to George and Elizabeth S. Bickett. Although little is known of his educational background and early years, Bickett was first identified with the rubber industry in 1908. On June 8, 1911, he married Gertrude Baker. Two years later, Bickett organized the Xenia Rubber Manufacturing Co., in Xenia, Ohio. In 1917, he sold the Xenia company to a group of Milwaukee businessmen who then reorganized it as the Ever Wear Rubber Co. in Wisconsin, with Bickett as general manager. Rubtex Products, Inc., Indianapolis, bought Ever Wear in 1920 and transferred the business to Indiana. Bickett decided to remain in Wisconsin.

In the fall of 1920, Bickett accepted an offer from a group of Watertown, Wisconsin businessmen who had recently purchased the Pan American Rubber Co., West Allis, to organize the company in Watertown. In April 1921, the Bickett Rubber Products Corporation was formed, with Bickett as chief stockholder, director, and manager of the company. He held these positions until 1955.

From 1921 to 1930 the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. manufactured various products, specializing in stair treads and rubber heels. The company's main market was chain stores such as S.S. Kresge and Woolworth, and much of its product was shipped to the eastern part of the country. In order to expedite its shipping, the company established warehouses in Buffalo and Albany, New York, and in Pittsburgh.

In 1930 the company accepted an offer from a group of businessmen in Anderson, Indiana, to purchase a quarter interest in the company for 100,000 dollars. The next year the company moved to Anderson in expectation of receiving this new capital and to eliminate some of its warehouses. But, in October 1931, the Citizens Bank of Anderson, Indiana, the source of the new funds, failed, and Bickett decided to return to Wisconsin. He secured a release for the building and equipment that had remained in Watertown, and resumed manufacturing operations there.

In order to secure this release and to re-equip the Watertown plant, Bickett personally assumed a debt of 73,000 dollars and borrowed 17,000 dollars more from the Falk Corp. in Milwaukee, which owned the diesel engine generating the power at the plant. In April 1932, the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. was reorganized under the new name of L. M. Bickett Co. The stock of the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. was exchanged for that of the new company without further investment required. This reorganization later became the basis of a long battle over taxes assessed on the profits of the L. M. Bickett Co.

In 1934 Bickett secured a patent on a new type of ventilated seat cushion called the “Respirator” and within a few years the company's business was on the increase. In 1938 Bickett purchased the interests of the Falk Co. and the equipment and real estate held by several bond holders, and thus became not only the chief stockholder of the company, but also its landlord. The upward trend in business continued until World War II brought production of commercial rubber products to a halt in 1941. During the war essential orders were obtained to keep the plant in operation, but the disruption of business both during and after the war brought serious financial problems to the company.

Sometime in 1943 or 1944 both the L. M. Bickett Co. and Bickett personally were assessed additional taxes. According to Helen Bickett Fiegel, Bickett's daughter, his personal tax problems involved a tax deduction unrelated to the operation of the company. The dispute over the company's taxes involved a basis for computing the net profits of the company after its reorganization.

Bickett maintained that until the financial statement of the L. M. Bickett Co. equaled the value of the investments of the original stockholders of the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. plus the value of the newly invested capital at the time of reorganization in 1932, there could be no net profits on which taxes were due. This issue remained unsettled until the fall of 1953, when an arrangement for payment was made. Payment was completed by the end of 1955.

The financial problems of the company were compounded by a series of internal organizational, management, and control problems during the early 1950s. The outcome of these problems was Bickett's resignation as president and director in January 1955. He severed his relationship with the company except as its landlord, although the company continued operation under the direction of his daughter and son-in-law, Ruth G. and W. A. Larson.

L. M. Bickett died May 4, 1958, and the company he founded went into bad standing sometime during the mid-1960s.

Scope and Content Note

Most of the records of Bickett's companies remained with the L. M. Bickett Co. when Bickett retired. This collection includes only scattered personal papers and corporate records of both Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co.

Within the PERSONAL PAPERS are a small file of family correspondence, mainly pertaining to company organizational problems involving family members; personal financial records, including worksheets of debits, credits, and accounts, and a list of personal property sold as of December 31, 1955; and Ruth G. Larson's objections to probate of L. M. Bickett's will. There is also a speech, possibly delivered by Bickett at a graduation ceremony, and an open letter for Watertown's centennial (1954) urging promotion of industry in the community.

The CORPORATE RECORDS contain a historical summary of L. M. Bickett Co. and its predecessors, written by L. M. Bickett; articles of organization and by-laws; balance sheets and other financial records, including a list of creditors of the failed company, 1931; leases and legal papers; and stockholder subscription lists of both Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co.; minutes of board of directors and stockholders meetings of Bickett Rubber Products Corp.; and audit reports of the L. M. Bickett Co., with additional notes and related financial data. Records of products and sales include the only illustrations and descriptions of the company's products, with a calculation of costs and profits on individual products produced by the Bickett Rubber Products Corp. There is also an inventory of machinery and equipment not shipped to Anderson, Indiana in 1931; promotional sales correspondence, mainly humorous annual Christmas letters written by Bickett under the pseudonym of Jim Brown; and salary data, consisting of a letter concerning salary policy, wage rate schedules, comparative salary summaries, and a record of past salaries. Also included is the retrospective appraisal of replacement values, depreciation and net sound values as of April 18, 1941, of the L. M. Bickett Co. There is little documentation of the company's lengthy tax problems.

Administrative/Restriction Information
Acquisition Information

Presented by Helen Bickett Fiegel, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 1975. Accession Number: M75-226


Processing Information

Processed by Richard A. Cameron and Joanne Hohler, 1975, and by Bill Beaudreau and Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, 1986.


 
Contents List
 
Series: Personal Papers
 
Box   1
Folder   1
Family Correspondence, 1949-1955
 
Box   1
Folder   2
Personal Financial Records, 1946-1958
 
Box   1
Folder   3
Objections to Probate of Will of L. M. Bickett by Ruth G. Larson, July 15, 1958
 
Box   1
Folder   4
“What Kind of an Education Present Day Business Requires” - Speech and Open Letter to Watertown Community
 
 
Series: Corporate Records
Box   1
Folder   5
Historical Summaries of L. M. Bickett Co. and Predecessors, 1920-1955, prepared by L. M. Bickett
 
Box   1
Folder   6
Articles of Organization and By-Laws of Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co., 1921
 
 
Minutes of Bickett Rubber Products Corp.
 
Box   1
Folder   7
Board of Directors Meetings, 1921-1935
 
Box   1
Folder   8
Stockholders, 1921-1935
 
Box   1
Folder   9
Audit Reports of L. M. Bickett Co., 1952-1957
 
Box   1
Folder   10
Balance Sheets and Other Financial Records of Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co. 1921, 1926, 1955
 
Box   1
Folder   11
Leases and Miscellaneous Legal Records, 1928, 1932, 1952, 1954 of Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co.
 
Box   1
Folder   12
Stockholder Subscription Lists of Bickett Rubber Products Corp. and L. M. Bickett Co., 1921, 1952
 
Box   1
Folder   13
Product Descriptions and Costs, Bickett Rubber Products Corp.
 
Box   1
Folder   14
Equipment and Supplies
 
Box   1
Folder   15
Sales Correspondence and Promotional Material, 1926-1952
 
Box   1
Folder   16
Monthly Salaries, Based on Sales, 1945-1953
 
Box   1
Volume   1
Retrospective Appraisal Prepared by Lloyd Thomas Co. Chicago, 1951-1952, for L. M. Bickett Co., Reflecting Replacement New Values, Depreciation and Net Sound Values as of April 18, 1941