William M. Beicher ²

   Other names for William were William Beecher,³ William M. Bicher ^{4 6 7 8} and William Bicker.¹

   FamilySearch ID: L61K-HVX.

  General Notes:

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  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1840 in Jefferson Twp., Franklin, OH. ⁹ The 1840 census recorded John G. Bisher (indexed as Berker due to poor handwriting)
1840 U.S. Census household
Males (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1 son (Peter J.)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 son (William M.)
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1 son (J. Henry)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 father (John G.)
Females (born)
5-9 (1831-1835) = 1 daughter (Catherine)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 daughter (Elizabeth Louisa)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 mother (Sarah).

2. William was listed on a deed on 29 Oct 1853 in , Franklin, OH. ¹⁰ Henry Beecher to William Beecher

Know all men by these presents, That Henry Beecher and Hannah Beecher his wife of the County of Franklin and State of Ohio, in consideration of the sum of Sixty five hundred dollars, paid by William Beecher of the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have granted, bargained, sold, and convey unto the said William Beecher his heirs and assigns forever the following premises; All the North end of the East half of the West half of the North East Quarter of Section No. 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, containing Seventy eight acres, and one half of the North East Quarter of the North West Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, containing Thirty acres and one hundred and thirty six poles, it being the North half of said Quarter Quarter, except the part sold to John A. Albaugher and George W. Albaugher and James Albaugher, said Henry Beecher having sold off the South part of the North East Quarter of the North West Quarter to said John A. Albaugher and George W. Albaugher and James Albaugher. This land is bounded on the South by John A. Albaugher and on the West by S. H. Darrow and on the North by William H. Darrow and on the East by the Delaware Road, and on the South by the land sold to John A. Albaugher and George W. Albaugher and James Albaugher and the land of William H. Darrow. The land sold is one hundred and eight acres and a third part of an acre. The land sold is bounded on the South by John A. Albaugher and on the West by S. H. Darrow and on the North by William H. Darrow and on the East by the Delaware Road. Also another piece of land described as follows: Beginning at the North East corner of the North West Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, running West 25 rods; thence South 8 rods; thence East 25 rods; thence North 8 rods to the place of beginning, containing one acre and a quarter; and another piece of land described as follows: Beginning at the South West corner of the North East Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, running West to the corner of William H. Darrow; thence North 10 rods; thence East to the East line of the North East Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter; thence South to the place of beginning, containing two acres; and also another piece of land described as follows: Beginning at the North West corner of the North East Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, running West 10 rods; thence South 16 rods; thence East 10 rods; thence North 16 rods to the place of beginning, containing one acre; and also another piece of land described as follows: Beginning at the North East corner of the North West Quarter of Section 2, Town 1, Range 18, North East Quarter, running West 10 rods; thence South 16 rods; thence East 10 rods; thence North 16 rods to the place of beginning, containing one acre. To have and to hold the above granted premises, with the appurtenances, unto the said William Beecher his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Henry Beecher for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant with the said William Beecher his heirs and assigns, that he is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid; that the premises are free and clear from all encumbrance whatever; and that he will forever warrant and defend the same with the appurtenances unto the said William Beecher and unto his heirs and assigns, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. In testimony whereof, the said Henry Beecher and Hannah his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals, this Twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

Henry Beecher (SEAL)
Hannah Beecher (SEAL)

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Elisha R. Haught, A. M. Safford.

3. Census in 1860 in Bloom Twp., Fairfield, OH. ¹¹ The 1860 census recorded Saml Schoffstall, farmer, 76, living with wife Sarah, 64. Also in the household is his son-in-law Wm Becher, farmer, 31, with Mary E., 24; Edward, 2; and Sarah, 3 months old. Edward and Sarah were born in Ohio and everyone else in Pennsylvania. Samuel's real estate was valued at $10,000 and personal estate $600. William had no real estate and $600 personal estate. The post office was Lithopolis.

4. Military in Jun 1863 in Bloom Twp., Fairfield, OH: Civil War Draft: Bicher, William, 36, farmer, born in Pa. ¹²

5. Occupation: insurance agent.

6. Probate in Watseka, Iroquois, IL. On microfilm in Box 10 Reel 2 at:
Iroquois County Genealogical Society
Old Courthouse Museum
103 West Cherry Street
Watseka, IL 60970-1524.

7. Census in 1870 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. ¹³ The 1870 census recorded in the 5th Ward: William M. Bicker [indexed as Bicker or Ricker due to poor handwriting], 41, retail dry goods dealer, living with wife Mary E., 36; Edwin S., 12; Sarah, 10; and George G., 6. The children were born in Ohio and the parents in Pennsylvania. William had no real estate value and his personal estate was valued at $3000. The post office was Columbus.

8. Occupation: Columbus City Directory: Dry Goods: Retail: Bicher, William M. 294 E. South Public Lane, Columbus, OH in 1870 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. ¹⁴

9. Occupation: Columbus City Directory: Bicher William, dry goods and groceries ne cor Fourth and Livingston av, residence same in 1874 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. ¹⁵

10. Occupation: Columbus City Directory: Beicher William, traveling agent, cor Neil street and Lafayette av in 1876 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. ¹⁶

11. Residence: 387 S. Third St., Columbus, OH. Bicher Edwin, Clerk; Bicher W. M., traveling agent in 1877 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. ¹⁷

12. Arrival: 1879, in , , IL. ⁵

13. Evidence: Phoebe Burgett was born on November 28, 1833 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and died on February 12, 1900 in Milford, Iroquois County, Illinois. She married (1) John Laird on March 27, 1851 in Battle Ground, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, son of Samuel J. La, 1 Feb 1883, Iroquois, Illinois. ¹⁸

14. Obituary: BICHER, William -- d. May 1890. Children: Edmond, George Bicher. In May 1890 in , Iroquois, IL. ⁵

15. Cause of Death: rheumatic meningitis, 28 May 1890, Milford, Iroquois, IL. ⁵

William married Mary E. Schoffstall, daughter of Samuel F. Schoffstall and Sarah Good, on 4 Aug 1857 in , Fairfield, OH.¹ (Mary E. Schoffstall was born on 5 Oct 1833 in , Dauphin, PA,^{19 20} died on 11 Oct 1876 in Columbus, Franklin, OH ^{20 21} and was buried in Canal Winchester: Lithopolis Cemetery, Franklin, OH ²⁰.)

William next married Phoebe Burgett, daughter of John Burgett and Catharine Henderson, on 1 Feb 1883 in Watseka, Iroquois, IL. (Phoebe Burgett was born on 28 Nov 1833 in , Tippecanoe, IN,^{7 22} died on 12 Feb 1900 in Milford, Iroquois, IL ^{7 22} and was buried on 14 Feb 1900 in Goodwine: Amity Cemetery, Iroquois, IL ^{7 22}.)