Six Years Beyond Four Score - William Bickerstaff

William Bickerstaff was my great-great-grandfather. I know so little about him but because he was born on February 14, 1807, I'm posting two obituaries to honor his birthday and remember him.

Happy Birthday, Grampa!

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This obituary was published in The Steubenville Weekly Gazette on Friday, March 24, 1893, p. 12.

William Bickerstaff.

After living six years beyond four score William Bickerstaff, usually called "Uncle Billy" died at 4:20 Wednesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Kidd, on South Fifth street, aged 86 years, 1 month and eight days. He was born on the "Widow Bair" farm in Cross Creek township on February 14, 1807. He was the son of Augustine and Eliza Bickerstaff and was the last of the members of his family who were among the early settlers in this section, being pioneer Methodists and Democrats. He was married in 1829 to Susan Holmes of Tuscarawas county. His wife, after a long, happy and blessed union of 54 years, survives her husband with nine children. They are Augustine and Enos of this city, Ellis of McKeesport, William N., John and Lewis of this city. Mrs. Mary Kidd of this city, Elizabeth Nelson and Ann Curfman of Steubenville township. He was at the time of [his] death a member of Findley M. E. chapel and he had been a member of the Methodist church for 52 years. He had always been a very devout man, firm in his doctrines, both religious and political. As a Democrat he never swerved from the glorious principles of the party he has voted with since 1828. He was held in highest esteem by our people who had the fullest confidence in his integrity.

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This obituary was published in The Steubenville [Weekly] Herald on Friday March 24, 1893, p. 4.

Wm. Bickerstaff

Another of Jefferson county's oldest citizens has passed away in the person of Wm. Bickerstaff, who died on Wednesday morning, at 4:20, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Kidd on South Sixth street, at the age of 86 years, one month and eight days. Mr. Bickerstaff was born in Cross Creek township, this county, on February 14, 1807, his parents being Augustine and Elizabeth Bickerstaff. He was the last member of his family. In 1829 he married Miss Susan Holmes, of Tuscarawas county, who survives him with six sons and three daughters as follows: Augustine, Enos, Wm. N., John and Lewis, of this city, and Ellis, of McKeesport, Pa.; Mrs. Mary Kidd, of this city, and Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson and Mrs. Ann Curfman, of Steubenville township. The deceased lived in Cross Creek township all his life following the occupation of farming, and came to Mrs. Kidd's residence about two weeks ago. In politics he was a strict Democrat, and has been a devout Methodist for fifty-two years. Lately he has been a member of Finley chapel in the Sixth ward. He was always highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors, and his death breaks another link which bind the present to the early days of this community.