VERNON PHILIP BICKFORD, “Ben” was born April 11, 1901 in Pittsfield, Maine. His parents were George Henry Bickford and Alta May Peavey. He married first in Massachusetts. They had a son Philip Joseph Bickford who, in 1940, was living with his father in Dillingham, Alaska. At that time, Vernie was married to an Alaska native woman named Minnie Annie. He died of exposure in China Poot Bay in January 1944. City Records indicate that he was not found until June 1944. His children were listed as Philip Bickford and Raymond Bickford. Phillip J Bickford, born about 1927 married Marie Christine Halvorson on January 3, 1947. Their son Philip Bickford lives in Seldovia.
Anchorage, Alaska (AP) Two Seldovia fishermen survived a midnight shipwreck in the remote and chilly waters of Chugach Bay by swimming ashore and walking 70 rugged miles home. Buddy Bickford of Anchorage, along with crewmember Dean Hanson, were headed from Seldovia south around the horn of the Kenai Peninsula to Port Dick Monday in the 6-foot shrimp boat Angel Marie when high winds hit, Seldovia Harbormaster Penny Rich said. Winds reaching 75 to 80 mph blew the boat onto the rocks, destroying the vessel, she said. After swimming to shore, the two worked until late Tuesday to radio for help but were unsuccessful. Later in the day they began walking back to Seldovia. They arrived late Wednesday evening. They suffered no serious injuries.