Henry Hickman was the son of Richard Hickman and Elizabeth Jane Canutt. He was born 25 September 1852 in Warren County, Indiana and died 15 July 1933 in Colfax, Washington. Henry came from a rather large family, as his father was married four times. Seventeen children altogether, two of whom died in infancy. When Henry was eight years old in 1860, the family lived on a farm in Ash Grove, Iroquois County, Illinois.
| Name | Joseph H Hickman |
|---|---|
| Age | 8 |
| Birth Year | abt 1852 |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Birth Place | Indiana |
| Home in 1860 | Ash Grove, Iroquois, Illinois |
| Post Office | Ash Grove |
| Dwelling Number | 2170 |
| Family Number | 2001 |
| Attended School | Y |
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Richard Hickman | |
| Elizabeth J Hickman | 35 |
| Sylvester Hickman | 19 |
| John W Hickman | |
| Franklin Hickman | 14 |
| Mary C Hickman | 12 |
| Joseph A Hickman | 8 |
| Alexander Hickman | 6 |
| Thomas Hickman | |
| Richard Hickman | 2/12 |
In 1870 the family still lived in Iroquois County. Henry’s mother, Elizabeth Jane Canutt had died in 1867 and his father was married to Mariah Sanders.
| Name | Joseph H Hickman |
|---|---|
| Age in 1870 | 19 |
| Birth Date | abt 1851 |
| Birthplace | Indiana |
| Dwelling Number | 115 |
| Home in 1870 | Stockland, Iroquois, Illinois |
| Race | White |
| Gender | Male |
| Post Office | Milford |
| Attended School | Yes |
| Inferred Father | Richard Hickman |
| Inferred Mother | Maria Hickman |
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Richard Hickman | 52 |
| Maria Hickman | 37 |
| Joseph H Hickman | 19 |
| Alxander Hickman | 17 |
| Sarah F Hickman | 8 |
| Liza J Hickman | 6 |
| Elmer C Hickman | 3 |
In August of 1874 Henry got married to Mary E Davis who was the daughter of Henry Davis and Mary Elizabeth Collins, in Prairie Greens, Iroquois County, Illinois. Mary was only sixteen years old and needed the permission from her father to get married.
The couple had seven children:
- Charles born 1876 in Illinois, died 1903 in Mockonema, Washington
- Nellie born and died 1878 in Illinois
- Edward born 1880 in Whitman County, Washington, died 1946 in Redding, California. He was married to Edith Martha Burgess. They had two children
- Maude born 1883 in Almota, Whitman County, Washington, died 1961 in Lewiston, Idaho. She was married to George Thomas Smith and they had four children.
- Anna born 1885 and died 1913 in Washington
- James Chester born 1887 in Washington, died 1953 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was married to Lillian Blanche and they had five children.
- Will Hickman born 1890 in Whitman County, died 1977 in Walla Walla, Washington. He was married to Geneva and they had four children.
On April 2nd, 1879 according to a newspaper article, the Hickman family left Illinois on a train and headed west to San Francisco. From there they a took a boat to Portland, Oregon and then another one up the Columbia and Snake River to Almota, Washington where they settled. Henry’s uncle Abe Ensley had arrived in the area a few years before him and planted the first wheat in Whitman County. The region also known as Palouse Country is world famous for wheat growing. Many of Henry’s descendants, including my husband’s uncles, still farm in that area today.
Henry became a very successful and wealthy farmer. Besides wheat farming, he also had an orchard full of apple, pear and nut trees. He had flocks of chickens, geese and ducks. He had lots of horses, goats and sheep. During the school year, Henry moved his family to Pullman, so that his children had a chance at a good education. He was one of the first farmers to have a telephone installed. He also owned automobiles and trucks for his business. An example of a GMC truck Henry owned to transport wheat. He is not in this picture.
Henry loved his family. In 1903 tragedy struck! His oldest son, Charles Hickman, was killed by a accidental discharge from a rifle.
Charles was only 27 years old and engaged to be married. On a happier note, the younger brother Ed got married three years later in 1906 and received a house as a wedding gift from his father.
Henry retired in a house he had bought in Colfax.
In 1920 his beloved Mary died in their home.
In 1932 Henry celebrated his 80th birthday with 100 friends. He was well liked in the community.
Less than a year later, Henry died of cancer.
Henry was my husband’s second Great Grandfather. I have found so many articles about him in old newspapers and books. It would take months or even years to read them all. His life has been well documented. Below is a map of Henry’s journey from Indiana via San Francisco and Portland to Almota and Colfax where he died.
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