A well-respected son of William Adams and Mary Jane Hetherington Hickman, James was named after Bill's brother.  He felt a strong tie to his father's scattered family, and it was he who arranged for the burial of his uncle Warren, who died in poverty in the State Mental Hospital in Provo. 

  The following  biography does mention who his father was, but doesn't give much additional detail, except to say that he had no financial assistance of any kind in getting where he was.  Sometimes poverty is a powerful motivator. 

  If you have any additional information or a better picture of James or of his family you'd like to share, please send me an email.

  JAMES B. HICKMAN.   Prominent among the officials of Tooele county is its present County Recorder, James B. Hickman, a native son of Utah, having been born in Salt Lake City February 27, 1866.  While still a young man he has demonstrated his ability to handle and control successfully any enterprise or project to which he has turned his attention, and few men in Tooele county hold a better record either in private, business or public life than does he, and few are more highly respected by the better class of citizens in that county.

  He is the son of William A. and Mary J. (Hetherington) Hickman.  Mr. Hickman was raised in Stockton, in Tooele county, where he received his early education, completing his studies at the Brigham Young Academy in Provo. He began life as a clerk in a store, and from that became interested in mining, being at this time largely interested in the silver and lead mines of Tooele county, in which he has great faith, though as yet they have not been developed to any appreciable degree. In 1895 he organized the Mercur Abstract Company and wrote up a complete set of records of Tooele county, being the first and only one in existence.  He was also at one time the owner of a considerable number of sheep and it is his intention to again embark in that enterprise in the near future.

  Mr. Hickman was married at Stockton in 1882, to Miss Ellen L. Booth, daughter of Henry Booth, and by this marriage has had three children:  Edna P. and Harry J.; Charles died aged four years.

  In politics he has been a member of the Republican party since its organization in Utah, and has ever been an active worker in its ranks.  He was elected County Recorder of Tooele county in 1894, and re-elected to the same office in 1899.  He has also filled the position of District Mining Recorder, and for many years acted as school trustee in his district. He is not a member of any church, but believes in giving assistance to any worthy religious cause. In social life he is a member of the Odd Fellows of Stockton, where he makes his home, and in which place he has a comfortable and substantial residence, although his public duties have required his making Tooele his headquarters since he has been in office.  Mr. Hickman has made his own way in the world without financial assistance from any source, and though but a young man is looked upon as one of the most aggressive and successful business men of his county.  His upright and manly life, his integrity and honesty in the discharge of the important trusts that have been given into his hands, and his determination and energy, together with a genial, pleasing personality, have won for him a score of friends, and today he enjoys the confidence and trust of those with whom he is associated.

--National Historical Record Co., Biographical Record of Salt Lake City and Vicinity, Chicago, 1902, p.579.

To learn about his namesake, click here.

To learn more about William Adams Hickman, click here.

To learn more about Mary Jane Hetheringon Hickman, click here.

To learn more about Warren D. Hickman, click here.

To return to the Hickman Family index page, click here.