Jacob Bickler

Jacob Bickler (November 29, 1849 – April 30, 1902) was a scholar, educator and president of the Texas State Teacher's Association. He was founder of the boys' Texas German and English Academy and the co-educational Bickler Academy, both located in Austin, Texas. In 1969, Recorded Historic Texas Landmark 6438 was placed at the site of the Goodman Building, noting the location on the second floor of Jacob Bickler's German and English academy.^[1]

Early life

Jacob Bickler was born on November 20, 1849, in Bad Sobernheim in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany to Peter Bickler and his wife Katherine Schöffling Bickler. He received his early education in the public schools of Bad Sobernheim. Peter Bickler married a second time and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where the teenage Jacob joined the new couple in 1863. From 1863–1867, young Bickler attended Milwaukee high schools and Milwaukee Markham Academy College Preparatory School.^[2] In 1870, Bickler earned his Bachelor of Arts in Pedagogics from the University of Wisconsin. He became fluent in six languages. From 1871–1872, Bicker was a Principal in the educational system of La Crosse, Wisconsin.^[3]

Texas

On December 24, 1872, Jacob Bickler moved to Austin, Texas and joined his uncle his Philip Bickler in teaching at the Bickler German-English Academy, where artist Carl G. von Iwonski had also once taught. Land Commissioner Jacob Kuechler appointed Bickler assistant draftsman and calculator in the Texas General Land Office on April 1, 1873. On January 24, 1874, the date of Bickler's wedding, he resigned from the Texas General Land Office to resume his teaching career.

In 1876, Bickler founded the Texas German and English Academy in Austin, a boys' school that remained in operation until 1902.^[4] In 1880, the Wahrenberger House in Austin was leased to Bickler. He operated the Academy at this house. According to the Texas Historical Commission, the school was located here until 1886.^[5] However, conflicting information states that the Academy was located in the Texas Military Institute Castle in Austin from 1884–1887. It is conceivable that Bickler started the Academy in the Wahrenberger House and kept his headquarters there, while moving the institute to the larger location as enrollment grew.^[6][7] In 1887, Bickler was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association. Bickler served as superintent of Galveston public schools 1887–1892. In 1892, he founded the co-educational Bickler Academy in Austin, which was located in the Goodman Building until 1897. In 1969, Recorded Historic Texas Landmark 6438 was placed at the site of the Goodman Building, noting the location on the second floor of Jacob Bickler's German and English academy.^[1] In summer months, Bickler taught classes at both Fredericksburg and Mason.^[3]

Bickler was a member of the summer faculty at the University of Texas. He was a leading proponent for establishment of the 1891 College of Education at the University.^[8]

Personal life and death

On January 24, 1874, Bickler married Martha Lungkwitz, daughter of artist Hermann Lungkwitz. The couple had nine children, eight of whom survived infancy.

Jacob Bickler died in Austin on April 30, 1902, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.^[9]

Memberships

• Ancient Order of United Workmen
• National Education Association^[10]
• President (1886–1887), Texas State Teacher's Association

Memorials

• 1902 Jacob Bickler Medallion, artist Elisabet Ney

References