The Bickley Families of Black Hawk County, Iowa

W. H. BICKLEY, M. D.

Dr. H. Bickley, a successful practitioner of medicine and surgery in Waterloo, his native city, was born in 1876, a son of E. G. Bickley, a well known resident of Orange township, Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and with his parents he came to Iowa in 1861, the family home being established m Orange township. He was a son of E. K. Bickley, who first came to Black Hawk county in 1855 and entered considerable land for himself and friends. At that time there were no railroads in this section of the state and they had to drive across the country from Chicago. The Bickleys were farming people and E. K. Bickley was also a bishop of the Dunkard church in its pioneer days. E. G. Bickley was largely reared upon the frontier and shared with the family in the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the frontier settlers. It was in this county that he was united in marriage to Miss Arabelle Shrock, who died in 1901. There were but two children in the family, the daughter being Alice Bickley.

The son. Dr. W. H. Bickley, was reared upon the home farm with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the country-bred boy. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the district schools for some time, but afterward entered the high school of West Waterloo, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. During that period he continued to live upon the farm, driving four miles to and from school. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1896, but regarded that merely as an initial step to other professional labor. It was his desire to prepare for the practice of medicine and surgery and with that end in view he became a student in the medical department of the State University of Iowa, in which he pursued his studies for two years. He next entered the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, from which he was graduated in 1900. He spent the succeeding year as an interne in the Metropolitan Hospital of New York on Blackwell's Island and gained broad knowledge and experience such as comes only from hospital practice. The following year was spent in travel throughout the United States, at the end of which time he returned to Waterloo, where he has since been located. In 19 12 he went abroad and attended clinics in Berlin, Vienna and London and he also traveled extensively over the European continent. He had the opportunity of studying the methods of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world and his ability was greatly augmented by the knowledge which he gained in attendance at the European clinics. LTpon his return he resumed the private practice of his profession and is today accounted one of its foremost representatives in Waterloo. A liberal practice is accorded him and his efforts have been attended with substantial success. He further his knowledge through his membership in the Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa State, Austin Flint and Cedar Valley Medical Societies and in the American Medical Association and moreover he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been honored with the presidency of the Waterloo Medical Society, a fact which indicates his high standing among his professional brethren in the city in which he makes his home.

In 1902 Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Beulah Wick, of St. Louis, a great-granddaughter of Newett Vick, who was the founder of Wicksburg, Mississippi. Dr. and Mrs. Bickley have one child. Robert Crippen. The parents hold membership in the First Brethren church and Dr. Bickley also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree, to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of the county, represented here through sixty years, and the work for material and moral progress instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father is being still further carried on by him. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, as well as an able physician and surgeon and has won for himself a most creditable place in public regard.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES S. BICKLEY.

Charles S. Bickley is a real-estate and insurance broker numbered among the active business men of Waterloo, of which city he is a native son. He was born September 26, 1878, his parents being G. G. and Eliza J. (Blough) Bickley, of whom mention is made elsewhere m this volume in connection with the sketch of their son. Dr. G. G. Bickley.

Charles S. Bickley spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and at the usual age began his education as a public-school student. When he had completed the high-school course in Waterloo he entered the Waterloo Business College and after putting his text-books aside he was for a number of years identified with his father in the telephone business, being thus connected until the father disposed of his interests along that line. Charles S. Bickley then remained with the father's successors, the Iowa Telephone Company, in the capacity of city foreman and in other connections for two years and later he identified himself with James Gardner in the real-estate business. They were associated for two and a half years and subsequently Mr. Bickley entered into business with Louis Miller, which relation was maintained for three years. On the ist of May, 19 14, he established an independent business with offices in the

Bickley building, which is a part of his father's estate. He is now devoting his attention to real-estate and insurance brokerage and has handled much valuable property. He is thoroughly versed concerning realty values and he knows every phase of the business and has manifested keen sagacity in managing and directing the affairs under his control.

In 1903 Mr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Helen D. Hull, of Chicago. Mr. Bickley exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has always been loyal to that organization, believing that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He belongs to the Town Criers Club, an organization formed to further the interests, promote the upbuilding and extend the business relations of his city. He is ever loyal to Waterloo and aids in many movements which are directly beneficial to the municipality. His entire life having been passed in this city, he is well known and the sterling traits of his character have gained for him the high esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact through both business and social relations.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

G. G. BICKLEY, M. D.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Black Hawk county without learning that the Bickley family has been long, closely and honorably identified therewith. It is of this family that Dr. G. G. Bickley is a representative. He was born in Waterloo in 1886 and is a son of Dr. G. G. Bickley, Sr., now deceased, who was one of the pioneer physicians of Waterloo, where he practiced continuously and successfully for many years. His ability in that direction and his efforts in other connections made him one of the most widely known and prominent citizens of the county. He died October 30, 191 1; and in his passing the community lost one of its honored and representative citizens. His son and namesake was reared under the parental roof and received home training that tended to develop the best and strongest in him. His advantages for an education were those afforded by the public schools and ultimately he was graduated from the West Waterloo high school with the class of 1905. The succeeding two years were devoted to the mastery of a literary course in the University of Iowa and he then spent one year in study in the medical department of the State University. At the end of that time he entered Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the completion of the three years' course, receiving his diploma and his M. D. degree in 191 1. He afterward spent eighteen months in Chicago in connection with the Baptist Hospital and his experience there was of untold value to him, as it enabled him to put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test and to gain that broad experience which only hospital service can bring.

Dr. Bickley returned to Waterloo in 1912 and has since engaged in general practice, forging forward constantly as the result of his ability, determination and laudable ambition.

In 1914 Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Lois Evelyn Storm, a daughter of E. M. Storm, of Waterloo. Both are widely and favorably known in this city and county, genuine personal worth winning for them the confidence and good-will of all with whom they have come in contact. Dr. Bickley belongs to the Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa State and Illinois State Homeopathic Medical Associations and he is a physician in attendance at the hospitals of this city. It is characteristic of him that what he undertakes he accomplishes and the more difficult the medical problem which confronts him the more anxious and determined he is to gain a successful solution thereof. He is constantly reading along broadening lines and keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purpose of the medical profession.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE ELVIN BICKLEY.

George Elvin Bickley is general manager of the Corn Belt Telephone Company at Waterloo and is one of the city's progressive and representative residents. Along the path of industry and efficiency he has advanced to the plane of affluence and while carefully and systematically conducting his business affairs, actuated by laudable ambition, he has at the same time recognized and improved his opportunities. Mr. Bickley was born in Waterloo on the 19th of November, 1874, and is a son of Samuel B. and Susanna (Klingaman) Bickley, the former a native of Westmoreland county and the latter of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The father, however, was reared in Ohio from his third year and in 1865 came to Waterloo, being then a young man. The same year Susanna Klingaman accompanied her parents on their removal to Waterloo, she being at that time a young woman of seventeen years. Mr. Bickley carried on general agricultural pursuits as a life work and as the years went on prospered in his undertaking, winning a substantial competence that now enables him to live retired. He makes his home in Waterloo, where he is enjoying a well earned rest, and his life, honorable and upright at all times, has won him the high regard of his fellow townsmen.

George E. Bickley was reared at home and was educated in the city schools of Waterloo and the University of Wisconsin, where he pursued a special course in electrical engineering. Following the completion of his studies in 1895 he found employment with the Cedar Valley Telephone Company of Waterloo, in which connection he has steadily worked his way upward, and in 1898 he was made superintendent of the company. In 1901 he went west to Denver, Colorado, and accepted a position as inspector of the Colorado Bell Telephone Company. One year later he was made wire chief, in which capacity he continued until 1907, when he returned to Waterloo to accept the superintendency of the plant department of the Corn Belt Telephone Company, formerly the Cedar Valley Telephone Company. In 1910 he was made superintendent of the plant as well as superintendent of the Cedar Rapids & Marion plants and in September, 1913, he was further advanced to the position of general manager of the Corn Belt Telephone Company at the time of the consolidation of the various companies in this part of the state. He still holds a directorate in the Cedar Rapids & Marion Company as well as in the Corn Belt Company and he is likewise a director of the Home Building & Loan Company of Waterloo. He is familiar with every phase of the telephone business and his experience well qualities him for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him in this connection. His ability has developed as the years have gone on and he is now devoting his attention to executive control and administrative direction.

carefully looking after all the details of the business and controlling the efforts of those who serve under him.

In 1 90 1 Mr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle E. Kelley, of Waterloo, and they have become the parents of three children, Dorothy Helen, George Francis and Mildred Elsie. Mr. Bickley votes with the republican party and his fraternal connections are with Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M.; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.. of Cedar Rapids; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., also of Cedar Rapids. He is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Waterloo Commercial Club. He ranks today among the foremost citizens of Black Hawk county. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress, understands the conditions which affect the welfare of community, state and nation and at all times uses his aid and influence on the side of advancement and improvement.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. CECIL BICKLEY, M. D.

Dr. J. Cecil Bickley is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Waterloo, in which city his birth occurred in 1883, he being a son of the veteran physician, John G. Bickley. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he began his education at the usual age in the public schools and passed through consecutive grades, advancing year by year until graduated from the East Waterloo high school with the class of 1903. Whether inherited tendency, natural predilection or environment had most to do with shaping his choice of a career, it is impossible to determine, yet when we regard his success it seems evident that nature intended him for the calling to which he is now devoting his life.

Dr. Bickley's early professional training was received in Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, in which he was a student for two years and later he entered the New York University Medical School, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1907. He spent a year and a half in the New York Surgical Institute, thus gaining broad knowledge, and, splendidly equipped for his profession, he returned to Waterloo and became associated in practice with his father and brother. From the beginning his advancement in his professional career has been substantial and rapid. He went abroad and attended various European clinics, thus having opportunity to observe the advanced methods of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. On returning he resumed practice in W'waterloo and he is now attending physician to both of the hospitals of this city, having considerable hospital work in addition to his general practice. He is identified wath various medical organizations including the Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Austin Flint, Cedar Walley and Iowa State Medical Societies.

In June, 1908, Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss OHie French, of Waterloo, and they have two children, John Wallace and Kathryne Evelyn. Dr. Bickley is a member of the Christadelphian church of Waterloo. He is indeed a well known citizen here, having spent his entire life in Black Hawk county save for periods of study in the east and in Europe. There were qualities which he displayed in boyhood which even then won him the friendship of the old as well as the young, and throughout his entire life these qualities have dominated his career, making him popular with his fellow townsmen, while his professional success has come to him as the just reward of ability and merit.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CARL C. BICKLEY. M. D.

Dr. Carl C. Bickley is one of the younger representatives of the medical profession in Waterloo, but in practice proves himself the peer of many a man of older years and has gained considerable prominence as an obstetrician. He was born in 1882 in the city where he still resides and after completing the work of the grades continued his education in the Waterloo high school until graduated with the class of 1900, when eighteen years of age. The succeeding two years were spent as a student in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and for four years he attended Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906, having completed the regular course and thereby becoming well qualified for the practice of medicine. Still he was not satisfied and for nine months was a student in the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and for some months attended clinics in Vienna, Austria, where he did post-graduate work.

Thus having improved every possible opportunity to increase his knowledge and promote his efficiency, Dr. Bickley returned to his native country and in 1907 opened an office in Waterloo, where he has since engaged in active practice. He is conducting a general practice, but makes a specialty of obstetrics and is well versed in that branch of the profession, reading broadly and thinking deeply along those lines, and at all times keeping in touch with the advanced work of the medical fraternity. He is attending physician and surgeon to the Presbyterian and the St. Francis hospitals of Waterloo and he is a member of the Waterloo Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society.

In 1906, Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Franklin, a native of Elgin, Illinois, and they have become the parents of two children, Donald and Iktty. The parents are well known in Waterloo and the record of Dr. Bickley stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country and among his own kin, for in the city where practically his entire life has been passed the Doctor has worked his way steadily upward and has attained a position of distinction, having passed beyond the ranks of the many until he now stands among the successful few.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.