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John Hickman

(1810-1875)
Pennsylvania

"John Hickman was born in what was then West Bradford Township [Pennsylvania], but is now Pocopson, September 11, 1810. His father was a farmer, and he was educated in his father's house, his teacher being a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. He studied medicine for a while, but discontinued that study on account of ill health, and studied law in the office of Judge Townsend Haines, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He was a candidate for Congress in 1844 on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He was subsequently appointed Attorney-General of the State, and after serving a few terms resigned. In 1854 he was elected to Congress, and continued to represent the district until 1862, when he declined a re-election. During the stormy times which followed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the quarrel between the North and the South in regard to the admission of the State of Kansas, though elected as a Democrat, he was on the side of the North, and won a national reputation as an untiring opponent of the slave power. he died March 23, 1875. Though not so brilliant a poet as an orator, he possessed poetical talents of a high order . . . ."

[George Johnston (ed.), The Poets and Poetry of Chester County, Pennsylvania 107 (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1890)] [George W. Pearce, who studied law with Hickman was also a poet.]

John Hickman
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

John Hickman
Appletons Encyclopedia