My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Elliott Hickman (deceased). On the 10th of December, 1858, there died at his home in Mississippi County, Ark., a man who was thoroughly conscientious in the discharge of every duty, and who had given to his county the best energies of his life. In the community in which he lived, and among the people who knew him best, the influence of his pure and noble life is still felt to a remarkable degree. His birth occurred in North Carolina in 1782, and, at the age of seven years, he was taken to the State of Tennessee by his father, who settled in the immediate vicinity of Nashville. His father, William Hickman, was an old veteran of the Revolution, and for services rendered during that war he received an extensive land grant in the State of Tennessee. Our subject attended school in Nashville, and in early youth entered the drug store of his brother-in-law, Roger B. Sappington, who at that time was a leading physician, a prominent citizen, and the only druggist in the place. He remained with Dr. Sappington, studying under his directions, and after the completion of his medical studies settled in Franklin, Williamson County, where he entered upon the practice of his chosen calling. After a residence of a few years in this place he was married to Miss Julia Ann Dudley, a Virginian by birth, and a daughter of Col. Guilford Dudley, of Revolutionary fame. Col. Dudley wrote a history of that war, which was published in the Southern Literary Messenger, and it was pronounced one of the best of that period. During that war his property in North Carolina was entirely destroyed by the British, but he removed to Tennessee, retrieved his fortunes to some extent, and became one of the noted men of Middle Tennessee. In 1812-15, Dr. Hickman was appointed by Gov. William Carroll superintendent and surgeon of the war hospital at Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tenn., and here he resided until 1835, when he moved his family to Memphis, where he was engaged in following his profession up to the year 1840, when he bought a tract of land of about 1,000 acres, 120 miles above Memphis, in Mississippi County, Ark., the place being now known as Hickman’s Bend. Here he instituted many improvements, and soon had his home surrounded by many comforts and luxuries. From the gallery of his old home could be had a most magnificent view of the river as it sweeps around the bend many miles above, and disappears in the south behind wooded points and fertile fields of cotton. In this lovely home among magnificent giant forest trees he dispensed his hospitality in an exceedingly liberal manner, and became noted throughout all the region for his polished manners. Although a slave-owner, he would never employ an overseer, and among his humble retainers, he was happy in making them happy. His advice was given freely to all, and in him they ever found a kind and liberal friend instead of a hard taskmaster. His memory is still loved and reverenced among his old servants who are still living. Hickman Township and Hickman’s Bend were named in his honor. His estimable wife survived him until November 11, 1862, when she too died. Their children’s names are as follows: Frances, who married Col. Elliot H. Fletcher [see sketch]; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Murphy, a merchant of New Orleans; William, Julia Ann, who died when just entering womanhood; Sarah, and Thomas, who died in 1863; seven children died in infancy.