John A. Bickerstaff
John A. Bickerstaff, deputy auditor of Jefferson County, Ohio, and one of the leading business men of Steubenville, comes of one of the pioneer families of the county. He was born in 1859 in Steubenville, O., and is a son of Samuel Holmes Bickerstaff, who was born in 1831 in Jefferson County, where he spent the greater part of his life working as a carpenter and millwright. The grandfather, Augustine Bickerstaff, was prominent among the early settlers of the county.
John A. Bickerstaff grew to manhood in Steubenville, where he secured a common school education, and subsequently graduated from the Eastman Business College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then engaged as clerk and timekeeper for the old Jefferson Iron Works from 1880 until 1887, when he accepted a position as payroll man. He was then invited to accept a position as head bookkeeper, paymaster and cashier of the Steel Works at Mingo Junction, with which he was identified ten years, after which he became an assistant to Mr. Harden, then auditor of Jefferson County, Ohio. He later became deputy auditor under Mr. Harden, and has been chief deputy for the present auditor, Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Bickerstaff was first married to Jennie Crewson, now deceased, and his second marriage, which occurred in October, 1892. to Ida B. Myers, resulted in the birth of two daughters: Martha V. and Grace A. Mr. Bickerstaff is a Knight Templar Mason, being past commander of the Commandery, and is a member of the Grand Commandery of the state of Ohio.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910