Thomas J. Hickman came to Bent County, Colo., in 1873. He was born in Randolph County, Mo., in May, 1832, where he lived the first eighteen years of his life. Then he moved with his father to Macon County. He received his education from the ungraded common schools prevalent in that part of that country. After locating in Macon County, he divided his time between the farm and store which his father owned until 1856. In 1857, having spent a few months in Adair County, he went to Salt Lake, where he resided but a short time. After a trip back to Macon County, he again made a journey across the plains, and became one of Denver's "fifty-niners." But even Denver had not sufficient attractions to hold him, and Missouri became once more his stamping-ground. After serving in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1864, he went to Plattsmouth, Neb., but remained there only a year. Atchison, Kan., claimed him for a citizen from 1865 to 1869, when he commenced selling goods for himself in Platte City, Mo., remaining there until 1873. Leaving Platte City, he came immediately to Las Animas, and received the appointment of Sheriff for Bent County from the County Commissioners, to fill an unexpired term of Sheriff Spiers, who had resigned. Having given entire satisfaction in the performance of his official duties, he has since been twice elected to the office at general elections. March 11, 1881, he received a severe injury in a railroad accident, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road, which will necessitate his resigning the office of Sheriff. Mr. Hickman enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Thomas J. Hickman came to Bent County, Colo., in 1873. He was born in Randolph County, Mo., in May, 1832, where he lived the first eighteen years of his life. Then he moved with his father to Macon County. He received his education from the ungraded common schools prevalent in that part of that country. After locating in Macon County, he divided his time between the farm and store which his father owned until 1856. In 1857, having spent a few months in Adair County, he went to Salt Lake, where he resided but a short time. After a trip back to Macon County, he again made a journey across the plains, and became one of Denver's "fifty-niners." But even Denver had not sufficient attractions to hold him, and Missouri became once more his stamping-ground. After serving in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1864, he went to Plattsmouth, Neb., but remained there only a year. Atchison, Kan., claimed him for a citizen from 1865 to 1869, when he commenced selling goods for himself in Platte City, Mo., remaining there until 1873. Leaving Platte City, he came immediately to Las Animas, and received the appointment of Sheriff for Bent County from the County Commissioners, to fill an unexpired term of Sheriff Spiers, who had resigned. Having given entire satisfaction in the performance of his official duties, he has since been twice elected to the office at general elections. March 11, 1881, he received a severe injury in a railroad accident, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road, which will necessitate his resigning the office of Sheriff. Mr. Hickman enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
