Bickel, John

John Bickel. One of Butler's best known and most highly respected citizens was the late John Bickel, who for many years was engaged in the wholesale and retail shoe business. He was born in Butler, in February, 1843, a son of Philip and Catherine (Rimp) Bickel.

Philip Bickel and his wife were natives of Germany. They came to the United States and settled in Butler County, where for a time he engaged in farming. In the early sixties he came to Butler and established a boot and shoe manufacturing business. He later took into the firm as a partner his son, John Bickel, and later on A. Ruff was taken into the firm as a partner. This partnership continued for a number of years, Philip Bickel, the founder, then retiring, the business being continued by John Bickel and A. Ruff under the name of Bickel & Ruff. This partnership was dissolved about 1879, each partner opening a store of his own. John Bickel continued until his death, June 8, 1905, after which the widow, daughter and two sons have since conducted the business. John Bickel married Margaret Schmidt, who resides in Butler. During the Civil War John Bickel enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

To John and Margaret (Schmidt) Bickel three children were born: George H. Bickel, born October 1, 1869, at Butler. He was educated in the public schools, and on the completion of his studies became associated with his father in the retail shoe business as a clerk, and at the time of his father's death assumed charge of the store, with his brother, J. Philip Bickel. He brought to the concern youth, enthusiasm, optimism and new ideas, that helped develop the business along progressive lines, and he has become associated with other organizations in various capacities. He is a director of the Guaranty Trust Company, of Butler, and is a member of the Board of Commerce. He has always been interested in the civic life of this section and may always be depended upon to lend his aid in all matters that tend to the development and progress of his community. In politics he is a Republican. He attends St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

J. Philip Bickel was born at Butler September 3, 1872. He received his education in the public schools, and like his brother was taken into the firm as a clerk by their father, to whom he likewise brought the enthusiasm of youth, with all its accompanying modern ideas, that became an impetus to the concern and helped in its growth and development. His personal interest in the welfare of the employees of the establishment has won for him the warm regard of his associates, and his ability in handling tactfully any difficulties that may arise from time to time has had a telling effect upon the advance of the concern. Mr. Bickel, who is deeply interested in civic welfare, is always ready to lend his aid and support in any worthy cause. He is a member of the Democratic party, and a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Anna Mary Bickel married Fred G. Holman, and they have two children : (1) John Bickel Holman, born September 4, 1899, married Helen Purdum. He graduated from Butler High School in 1918, and from Princeton University in 1921 with an A. B. degree. He was a member of the Student Army Training Corps, and of Phi Gamma Delta; and Richard Albert Holman, born January 12, 1902, graduated from Butler High School in 1919, and from Washington and Jefferson College in 1923. He is employed at the Bickel Shoe Store. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Sterling Club of Butler.