Bio of BICKNELL, Charles H. (b.1849 d.1921), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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C. H. BICKNELL (Charles H. Bicknell) - Vol II, pg 342-345
In the year 1887 Minneapolis secured a valuable addition to her business circles
in the person of C. H. Bicknell, who for many years was actively engaged in
handling all kinds of building materials except lumber, his business in his
later years being conducted under the name of the Landers-Morrison-Christenson
Com­pany, of which he was the president. His interests were steadily developed
as the legitimate outcome of his close application, his thorough organization
and his spirit of initiative, and eventually the firm became one of the foremost
operating along its line in the Northwest.
C. H. Bicknell was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, November 3, 1849, his parents
being Charles H. and Eliza (Goodhue) Bicknell. The father was a physician who
spent his life in Beloit. The mother was a daughter of Squire Goodhue, who was
among the first settlers of that city, becoming a pioneer lumberman there.
C. H. Bicknell obtained his education in the Beloit public schools and in the
Beloit College, from which in due course of time he was graduated. When his
college days were over he made his way westward to Idaho, settling in Boise,
where he secured a clerkship, remaining there for several years. He afterward
returned to the middle west, with Chicago as his destination, and there engaged
in rail­road work as a claim agent until about 1887. In the latter year he came
to Minne­apolis and initiated his business career here as a traveling salesman
with "the Hydraulic Press Brick Company. He was found a trustworthy
representative of these different organizations which he represented, being at
all times loyal to their best interests, but a laudable ambition prompted him to
formulate plans whereby he might eventually engage in business on his own
account and the year 1897 saw the fulfillment of his hopes in his organization
of the J. C. Landers Company, dealers in lime and cement. A substantial trade
was developed and in 1902 the business was consolidated with that of the
Christenson Company and the Morrison Company under the name of the
Landers-Morrison-Christenson Company, of which Mr. Bicknell was made the
president. He continued to serve in that executive position for sixteen years,
or until 1918, when his health became seriously impaired, forcing his
retire­ment, and on the 1st of January, 1919, he sold his interest in the
business. With the consolidation of the three firms they handled all kinds of
building materials save lumber and became one of the largest firms engaged in
this line in the north­west, their ramifying trade connections covering an
extensive territory, while the steady growth of their business resulted from
judicious advertising, reliable methods and indefatigable enterprise.
On the 8th of June, 1898, Mr. Bicknell was married to Miss Cora Hathaway, a
daughter of Judge R. D. and Lucinda L (Oakley) Hathaway of Austin, Minnesota,
her father being one of the pioneers of that section. A member of the bar from
early manhood, he served on the bench while a resident of Wisconsin and after
coming to Minnesota was well known both as lawyer and lawmaker, for he served in
the state legislature and engaged in the practice of law with success for many
years in Minnesota.
Mr. Bicknell died on the 19th of December, 1921. He had been an Episcopalian in
his youth but in later years directed his labors for the benefit of others
outside of the church. He was a loyal follower of Masonic teachings and a member
of the Mystic Shrine and he also belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He had membership in the Lafayette Club and in
the Interlachen Club and his social qualities made for popularity wherever he
was known. Politically he was a republican but somewhat liberal in his views,
voting for men and measures at local elections where no national issue was
involved. He had passed two milestones beyond the Psalmist's allotted span of
threescore years and ten ere he completed life's journey, leaving behind him the
record of a successful and progressive business man, an honorable citizen and
one who held friendship inviolable.