C. RICHARD BICKENBACH, who is bookkepper in the Second national Bank of Freeport, Ill., is a native of Rhenish Prussia, where he was born on the 19th of June, 1821. His parents were John C. and Joanna (Peuchen) Bickenbach. The early life of Mr. Bickenbach was spent in Prussia, where he entered school at the age of six years and continued until the age of sixteen. His father was a merchant and a manufacturer of silks, and also of cotton ginghams. At the same time he was engaged in manufacturing dyes, making a specialty of the color known as “Turkey red.” In each of these manufactures he was successful. His death occurred when the subject of this sketch was but four years of age. The mother disposed of the manufacturing enterprises of her husband and engaged in conducting a store for the sale of provisions, which C. Richard entered as assistant, and where he remained until 1849, when, accompanied by his wife and child, he sailed for America, landing at New York in the month of September; they immediately started westward and located at Freeport, Ill. After remaining a time in Freeport Mr. Bickenbach rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed for several years. Not being suited to this business he sold out his stock and implements and moved again to Freeport, and was employed by the firm of A. D. Barnum in the capacity of clerk and book-keeper for several years, after which he was variously engaged for a time. He then entered the store of George Maynard, where he clerked for six years. He was then employed by E. H. Hyde, dealer in dry-goods and general merchandise, and afterward bought out Mr. Hyde and formed a partnership with Mr. Hallensleben, and engaged in the sale of dry-goods and notions. This partnership existed for three years, when the business was closed out, after which he was employed by Mr. Hyde in the wholesale notion business, with whom he remained until Mr. Hyde closed up his business. In 1865 he became book-keeper in the Second National Bank of Freeport, Ill., which responsible position he has held ever since. In 1868 he crossed the Atlantic to gratify an intense desire to visit his old home in Europe, and remained among the scenes of his childhood for three and one-half months, then returning to Freeport, he resumed his former position at the bank.

Mr. Bickenbach was married, in 1848, to Miss Augusta Heyner, a native of Germany, by whom he had six children, one of whom was born in Europe and the others in Freeport. Two children died in infancy. The names of those living are: Eugene, Paul, Robert and Richard.

Mr. Bickenbach is Secretary of the Stephenson County Bible Society, a position he has held for the last twenty-five years. He is Vice President of the Y. M. C. A., was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which he was a Ruling Elder, a position which he held for twenty-five years. He is now an honorary member of the First Presbyterian Church of Freeport, joining in 1885. He has just completed a neat and substantial residence building on Stephenson street in the Queen Anne style of architecture. The house has many exterior attractions and is beautifully surrounded, while the interior is the personification of comfort itself.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 223