Henry Hickmott

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Henry Edward Hickmott (17 May 1853 – 18 January 1931) was an Australian farmer and politician. He served as the Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for Pingelly from 1914 to 1924.

He was born at Mount Barker, South Australia, the son of Henry Hickmott and Sophia Goldsmith. His early life involved moving with his family as his father worked as a miner, labourer and brick-maker. Although he had little formal schooling, he was well educated by life and later could write a strong letter and speak well.

In 1877 he married Elizabeth Ann Owen. The couple moved to Charlton in Victoria, where Henry worked as a brick maker and built houses. He was active in the Wesleyan Church and in local cricket. In 1890 the family moved to Lalbert, where he continued farming and road works, and served as cemetery trustee and chairman of the local vermin board.

In 1909 Henry and Elizabeth moved to Western Australia and bought a farm named Dingley Dell at Pingelly. He stayed involved in the community, helping to found the Brookton Farmers and Settlers Association and serving as its president for two years, and supporting the Brookton Swimming Club. During the First World War he was part of the Brookton Repatriation Committee to help soldiers and their families.

Henry and Elizabeth had twelve children. He was elected to the WA Parliament in October 1914, representing Pingelly, and served until 1924.

Elizabeth died in 1923 while visiting relatives in Victoria. In 1925 Henry married Sarah Ellen Clarke. He died in a farming accident on 18 January 1931 at his property near Brookton and was buried in Brookton Cemetery. Sarah Ellen Hickmott died in 1957.