BICKFORD, Mattie A. Ballard - Putnam

Mattie A. Bickford, daughter of William Sanford and Patience Ann Ballard, was born near Wheaton, Putnam County, Indiana July 19, 1862. Shew as proud of her splendid family lineage and to it she always lived true. She bore always a quiet dignity which won respect. In 1879 Mattie removed with her parents to Greencastle, Indiana where she attended school for a time and later married John A. Bickford, a student at DePauw University in December 1889. To this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy. For 23 years she has traveled life’s highway alone, during the last 19 of which she has resided at her home at 208 West Chestnut Street. This little home bright, clean and welcoming, was her world in this life. To every neighbor there was a kind word, a cordial welcome and patient consideration. She was the soul of honor, lived true to high ideals and had an utter disdain for discord and disorder. All through her life she had been physically frail. For several months she has been a patient sufferer, fighting against an incurable disease without complaint. She was so brave that she never consciously made surrender. She leaves surviving one brother, Emerson E. Ballard, his daughter, Mrs. Knowlton H. Kelsey, the children of an older brother, Rev. TE Ballard now deceased; Ray C; Mary A and Evaline Ballard; and the children of her deceased sister, Harriet P. Jeffries; Prudy L. Walters; Charles Jeffries and Ina Elmore with a number of grand nephews and grand nieces. The vacant chair in this family circle can never be forgotten and it will be long time before the neighbors passing by her doorway will cease to think of her   --- kbz