Solomon G. Hickman

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Solomon G. Hickman is one of the substantial farmers of Troy township, Monroe county, Iowa, who have helped to bring the county into prominence as an agricultural section. Grandfather Solomon was a native of Scotland. The father, also named Solomon, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was reared on a farm, and married Elizabeth Cary, a daughter of a soldier of the war of 1812. They both died in Greene county of their native state, the former at the age of ninety-four, the latter aged eighty-three. Solomon, Sr., was a Democrat in politics and a Universalist in faith, while his wife was a Presbyterian. Seven children were born to them: Charles was a soldier and is now deceased; Stephen is deceased; Anna is deceased; Solomon G.; Archibald was a soldier and lives on the old farm in Pennsylvania; Abel lives in California; William is deceased.

Solomon G. Hickman was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, near Waynesburg, November 30, 1840, was reared to manhood on the home farm, there imbibing many of the wholesome principles which were to guide him in his future. For some years he taught school in that part of Virginia which is now comprised in West Virginia, near Morgantown. This he continued till 1866, when he made his way to the west, settling in Monroe county, Iowa. After remaining here a few years and taking a partner for life’s journey, he went to what is now South Dakota and took a homestead in Clay county, where he remained four years.

Returning to Iowa, he bought forty acres of his present fine farm of one hundred and ten acres from the man who had obtained it from the government. He has since added the balance. He has a well furnished house, a good orchard, large barn and feed lots, surrounded with beautiful shade trees, and the whole place evidences thrift and prosperity.

On September 5, 1869, Mr. Hickman married Miss Mary C. Seaman, a lady of much intelligence, who has proved an excellent companion to him; she was born, reared and educated in this county. Her father, William R. Seaman, was one of the early settlers, coming to the state in 1845 from New York. His wife was Drusilla Ross, a native of Illinois, and they had five children: Minerva, deceased; Sarah Ann, Mary C., Eliza E. and Nelson J. The parents, who were farmers, members of the Methodist church and excellent people, are both deceased, the father at the age of sixty-five, the mother aged sixty.

Mr. and Mrs. Hickman became the parents of seven children: Alice, the wife of G.G. Robinson, of Laurel, Iowa; Solomon, a medical student of the Keokuk Medical College; John, who is one of the prominent teachers of the county, the principal of the public schools of Avery; Mack, also a medical student at Keokuk; Arthur, who is a mail carrier on route No. 5, rural free delivery, at Albia; Charles S. is a student in the junior class of the Albia High school, and Philip, who is fifteen years old. John, Mack and Solomon are all graduates of the Albia high school and wee successful teachers.

Mr. Hickman is a Prohibitionist in politics and a member of the Friends church, while the balance of the family belong to the United Brethren church. He has the reputation of being a reliable business man, is frank and genial and has many qualities which make him influential in the township.