John P. Hickman

From History of Frederick County. p. 1107-1108:

John P. Hickman, a well-known farmer of Buckeystown District, Frederick County, Md., son of William and Ann Eliza (Everhart) Hickman, was born at Taylorstown, Loudoun County, Va., October 4, 1842.

John Hickman, grandfather of John P. Hickman, was one of a company of emigrants who came from England to America and settled in Loudoun County, Va., where they were among the early settlers. John Hickman owned 600 acres of land in Loudoun County, and spent his life in cultivating and improving it. He erected the dwelling, the barn, and all the outbuildings. He was a prosperous man and owned what was considered, in that day, a large number of slaves, for whom he built separate quarters on the farm. Mr. Hickman was an Old Line Whig, and was well thought of in the community. John Hickman was married to Catherine, daughter of George Fawley, whose father was one of the early settlers of Loudoun County. Their children are: 1, Elizabeth, deceased, married to the late Arthur Orrison, of Loudoun County; 2, Margaret, deceased, married to the late James Bust; 3, William; 4, John, deceased; 5, Eliza, deceased, married to the late Dodridge Lee, a merchant; 6, Thomas, a retired farmer of Loudoun County; 7, Sarah, deceased, married to the late James Harvey, a wheelwright of Loudoun County; 8, Samuel L., deceased, a merchant at Point of Rocks; 9, one killed by lightning. Mr. Hickman and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. They died at their home in Loudoun County, Va.

William Hickman, a prominent farmer of Loudoun County, Va., father of John P. Hickman, was born in 1814, on the old homestead in Loudoun County. He grew up on the farm, and received his education in the public schools of the district. When his father died, he took charge of the farm and cultivated it for his mother. After his marriage, Mr. Hickman bought 130 acres of the homestead, and began farming for himself. On this land he built a bam and all necessary outbuildings, and cultivated it successfully until he opened his store for general merchandise in Taylorstown. Mr. Hickman was the first merchant to do business in the town, and owned his store building. He was a progressive and enterprising business man, and was actively engaged until the time of his death. He was an Old Line Whig, and later a Republican, and was one of three who voted for Abraham Lincoln, in Lovettsville District, Loudoun County, Va. William Hickman was married to Eliza, daughter of Philip and Laura Everhart, and niece of Laurence Everhart, famous for having saved the life of Colonel Washington during the Revolutionary War. The children of William and Eliza (Everhart) Hickman are: 1, Mary C, widow of Charles W. Goodhart, of Loudoun County; 2, John P.; 3, George H. C., postmaster at Point of Rocks, Md.; 4, Margaret V., widow of Charles W. Dauson, of Cass County, Iowa; 5, Laura J., deceased, married to Samuel Fry, a retired engineer of Lovettsville, Va.; 6, Alberta (Mrs. Frederick Rinker), of Waterford, Va., deceased; 7, Thomas W., a merchant of Taylorstown, Va.; 8, Millard F., a farmer residing near Boyds, Md.; 9, Ella, deceased, married to Benjamin F. Stouffer, of Point of Rocks, Md., an engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R.; 10, Alice, married to John Slater, a merchant and postmaster at Taylorstown, Va. Mr. Hickman was a member of the Lutheran Church; his wife was a Methodist. He died in February, 1863, and was buried in the cemetery at Lovettsville. His widow died on December 24, 1897.

John P. Hickman grew up on his father’s farm and was educated in the public schools of his native county. He remained with his parents until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company A, Loudoun Rangers, and was made sergeant of the company. This company was organized as a special bodyguard for the Secretary of War, but was afterwards attached to the Sixth army corps. Sergeant Hickman, who took part in the battle of Monocacy, and in many of the severe engagements of the war, was taken prisoner, and spent the winter of 1865, in Libby prison in Richmond, Va. During his absence from home, his father died, and after the close of the war he returned to the homestead, and took charge of the place for his mother. When he married, Mr. Hickman bought a small farm which he improved and afterwards sold, and removed to Frederick County, Md., and rented one of the old Michael farms. After cultivating this land for ten years, Mr. Hickman purchased the place from Marion S. Michael, and made it his homestead. It consists of 176 acres of fertile land and modern improvements, beautifuly situated along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., a mile and a-half south of Doubs, Md. Mr. Hickman is one of the progressive farmers. He has worked hard, paid close attention to business, and has made his home one of the most desirable farm properties in Buckeystown District. Mr. Hickman is a stanch Republican, and a member of Reynolds Post, G. A. R., Frederick City, Md.

John P. Hickman was married to Christiana S., daughter of John and Susan (Fawley) Compher, whose ancestors were from Germany, both deceased. Mr. Compher was a prominent farmer of Loudoun County, Va. Their children are: 1, Maggie V. (Mrs James Corry), of Doubs, Md.; 2, John W, a farmer on the home place; 3, Samuel T., a merchant of Doubs, a member of the Maryland Legislature in 1908; 4, Mary A. (Mrs. Charles Heim), of Washington, D. C.; 5, Ella M. (Mrs. Harry Myers), of Doubs; 6, Charles D., merchant, postmaster at Doubs; 7, Walter M., a clerk, of Doubs; 8, Roy S., of Washington, D. C.; 9, Nina B , at home. Mr. Hickman and his wife still hold their membership in the Methodist Church at Mt. Pleasant, Loudoun County, Va. They are active workers in the church, and contribute liberally to its support.