Bernard P. Wickham was the eldest of James J. Wickham's and his first wife Mary Lacy's five children. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and lived there his whole life. With his brother, Edward, he ran the family contracting business, taking over after his death in 1925. He did not marry, but lived with his sister Nell and then his nephew Ray after her death in 1946.
Related Items:
Biography of his father James and uncles Patrick and Owen P. Wickham.
Picture of his mother Mary Lacy's and brother Edward's tombstones.
Obituary for his sister Nell and articles on the death of his brother, Edward A..
Obituaries for his nephews, Bernard J. and Raymond J. Wickham.
Obituaries for his grandparents, Patrick and Cecelia (Pryor) Wickham.
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Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil
9 and 10 June 1948, p. 1
Wickham Rites Set for Friday
Veteran Contractor Ill for a Year
Funeral services for Bernard P. Wickham, 87, pioneer contractor who died Tuesday afternoon, will be held Friday at 10 a. m. at St. Francis Catholic church. Interment will be in St. Joseph cemetery.
Wickham, ill of a stomach ailment for a year, died at the home of a nephew, Ray Wickham, 300 Grace street. He became seriously ill last Wednesday. He declined to enter a hospital.
Wickham, a life-long resident of Council Bluffs and one of the midwest's best know builders, didn't like hospitals or - in most cases - doctors.
"He was an independent man," said Ray Wickham. "He didn't want anyone to put themselves out for him. At the same time, he was very considerate of others and helped a lot of people who were financially embarrassed."
Was Bachelor.
With his brother, E. A., he amassed a fortune in the 1920's. Their construction company erected many of the buildings in the city, including the Bennett building and courthouse.
Nearly every paved street here was laid by the Wickham company, which also did considerable road and railroad work throughout the middlewest.
E. A. Wickham died in 1925. B. P. was then involved in a legal battle concerning the estate. It was estimated to have been worth more than $1,000,000.1
A bachelor, Wickham lived many years with his sister, Nell, in the mansion at 525 Third street. Miss Nell died in November of 1946 and B. P. moved in with his nephew, Ray.
Loved His Office.
Wickham, who found great pleasure in rebuilding old clocks and tinkering around in general, "lived a full life," his nephew said. The office of E. A. Wickham Construction company, of which he was president, was his love.
"No matter how poorly he felt," Ray said, "he always would come down to the office."
Wickham was crippled when a young man and walked with a cane. He was a great reader and wouldn't lay a newspaper or magazine down until he had gone completely through it. In his younger days, he spent much time in providing recreation for children.
Although he lived a colorful life, Wickham shied from publicity. Few news stories were written about him.
Sisters Survive.
At one time, he was a member of both the Elks and Rotary clubs. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus at time of death. He was a member of St. Francis church, which his company built.
Wickham, the son of James Wickham, a local pioneer, is survived by four [half] sisters; Mrs. Charles McCauley,2 Mrs. Nora Green 3 and Mrs. George Schaff,4 all of Council Bluffs, and Mrs. Ed Murphy 5 of Minneapolis.
The body is at Beem-Belford funeral home.
1 $1,000,000 had about the same purchasing power in 1925 as $12,300,000 did in 2008.
2 Mary Veronica, wife of Charles A. McCauley, who worked for a telephone company.
3 Honorah R. "Nora", wife of John A Green, a quarry manager.
4 Bernadette F., wife of George W. Schaaf.
5 Anna M. "Annie", wife of Edward Joseph Murphy.
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