Richard Baxter Bickham

Notes:

Newton Historical Commission, Pauline Hines, Compiler "Newton County Nuggests: A Collection of True Stories By Newton County Folk" (Nortex Press, A Division of Eakin Publications, Inc, Austin, Texas, published in 1986), had an article about R. B. Bickham, reprinted from a newspaper article. He was a native of Angelina County and became a progressive leader in the Deweyville area about 1920. His wife, Sallie, was a native of Nacogdoches. Their only daughter is Maxine Bickham Davis. Bickham began his experience in the timber and lumber industry in early boyhood...and was one of the foremost profitable sawmill operators in the Newton County area. He favored progress and generously supported better roads, timber conservation, civic and religious improvements and good schools. He believed in giving a cordial welcome to desirable newcomers. He became a merchant in Deweyvill about 1945 along with his timber operations. On page 361 of the same book it was noted that Richard Bickham's business partner, Hager Davis, later became his son-in-law, and that they operated under contract with Kirby Lumber company. A flood in 1953 almost destroyed this mill, which did not completely shut down until 1954.

The Bickham's were the first residents of Deweyville to install a telephone. Mr. Bickham also built a movie theatre that he operated for three years, operating on Friday and Saturday evenings. (ibid, p. 397)


Name: Richard Baxter Bickham
Death Date: 19 Dec 1970
Death Place: Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas
Gender: Male
Race:
Death Age: 82 years
Estimated Birth Date: 1888
Birth Date:
Birthplace: Angelina County, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Hardy Bickham
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Mary Mcbride
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Retired Groceryman
Place of Residence:
Cemetery: King Cemetery, Hartburg, Newton, Texas
Burial Place:
Burial Date:
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2218970
Digital Film Number: 4169135
Image Number: 2774
Reference Number: 89505
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Medical):See attached sources.