In 1862, Anson D. Bicknell arrived in Humboldt County from Oneida County, New York.  He found Dakota City a small village and Springvale later known as Humboldt not yet established.  The railroad then stopped at Cedar Falls, and from there he walked to Dakota City, where he taught school the first winter.

The Bicknell family was one of the oldest in the United States and were descended from Zachary Bicknell, an English naval officer, his wife and son, natives of Somerset, England, who immigrated to America in 1635.  They were dissenters from the established church, and like others at that time, sought religious freedom in American.  Anson was the eighth generation in America, son of Rev. James and Rebecca Ruth (Brooks) Bicknell; born in Oneida County New York, 30 December 1835; died Humboldt Iowa, 23 April 1918.  He was married in New York on 30 December 1864, to Sara Ann Mills, daughter of Allen and Sara Ann (Lee) Mills of Oneida County New York.  They were the parents of four children, all born in Iowa;  Frank W. born 1866, Clara Rebekah, born 1870, Charles Mills, born 1875; and George James, born 4 August 1885 at 1005 Third Ave. North, Humboldt, Iowa where he has resided all his life -- is the only one living.

Mr. Bicknell, prominent attorney, Republican, County superintendent of schools, member of the house in the Eighteenth General Assembly, twice mayor of Humboldt, and member of the Unitarian Church, preserved old data on Humboldt County.  His contributions to the press were frequent ad characterized by their logical thought and clear, terse style.  he gave lectures to the students of Humboldt College on his travels, history, and study of nature.

After Mr. Bicknell's death, his two sons, Frank W. and George J. gave the land at the end of Sumner Avenue, known as riverside Park to the City of Humboldt as a Memorial to their parents --Anson D and Sara Ann (Mills) Bicknell.  The Park to be known as Bicknell Park.

Author - Dorothy Bicknell, wife of George. August, 1962.