Hickman Square: Corner Milford and South Main Streets in Manchester NH

This modest monument is easy to miss, sitting in a shaded corner of land next to what is now Darlings Tire and Auto.  At the time that the monument was placed, the land belonged to the Hickman family, as did the nearby business, then called the Harold W. Hickman Service Station. 

According to the City of Manchester’s posted meetings of the mayor and alderman, “communication was presented as received from the residents of Milford and South Main Streets wherein they respectfully requested that consideration be given to naming the square in that area “Hickman” Square, in memory of Harold Hickman Sr., deceased war veteran and his son a War II veteran. Under the rules, the communication was referred to the Committee on Bills on Second Reading. [Minutes of October 15, 1968]

Group photograph of Hickman’s Little League team at Hickman’s Service Station, with ”Flying A Service” sign at 16 Milford Street, Manchester. Photo identified as ”1961 South West Little League Champions – Wolf’s Little League Park.” 1st Row (holding plaque): Short Stop Bob Michaud, Secord Baseman Mike McDonald;  2nd Row: Outfielder Jim Alger, Outfielder Norm Bellemore, Infielder Bob Eldridge, Pitcher Bob Christo, Infielder Don Huot, Catacher Bill Prive; 3rd Row: Coach Don Anderson, Centerfielder Tom Caldwell, Pitcher Ron Boulanger, Sponsor Hap Hickman, Utility Man Jean Biron, Rightfielder Jim Norton, Manager Ed ”Casey” Forbush. Absent when photo was takere were Thirdbaseman Tim Mullen and Left Fielder Scott Keller. (Eric M. Sanford photographer). From the Manchester Historic Association Collection, used with their permission.

This was followed by two more readings in 1969:  “A report of the Committee on Bills on Second Reading was presented relative to a referred petition from the residents of Milford and South Main Streets requested the naming of the square on Milford and South Main Streets “Hickman Square” …..” The report was adopted at the February 18, 1969 meeting.

Harold W. Hickman, Sr. had service during World War 1 in the 1st Army HQ Reg E, and upon his return home, served for many years in New Hampshire’s National Guard,  being Captain of the Lane Light Infantry, Company F, First Regiment.   Harold W. Hickman, Jr. was called to duty during World War 2, enlisting 22 September 1942,  and serving until 30 Jun 1945.   Harold Jr. went back to school after the war, graduating from Cornell.  He was active in the Manchester community, and owned the service station on the corner lot where the Hickman Memorial now sits.

[Editor’s Note: This article is one of several I have written at the request of Don Pinard, Department of Public Works, Chief of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Division, City of Manchester, New Hampshire.  It is a volunteer project (on my part) to better record and share the stories of the men memorialized by the city’s “Military Squares.”  All the information specifically within the body of this project is shared copyright free with the City of Manchester and its representatives, with the exception of photographs provided by family or friends who still retain whatever rights conveyed to them by law.]

==PARTIAL GENEALOGY OF HAROLD W. HICKMAN of Manchester NH===

Benjamin Hickman, b. c1800 d. –; m. Miriam —.
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Children of Benjamin & Miriam (?) Hickman:
1. +Benjamin “Charles” Hickman, b. abt 1821 Longstock, Hampshire, England
2. John Harding Hickman, b. 12 June 1823, baptized 11 July 1823 Andover, Hampshire, England; m. Martha –. Had son John Hickman, b. 24 January 1846 Andover Hampshire England.
3. Elizabeth Jane Hickman, b. 25 Dec 1826, baptized 28 Jan 1827, Andover, Hampshire, England
4. Thomas Henry Hickman, b. 4 July 1829, baptized 16 Aug 1829 in Andover, Hampshire, England
5. William Hickman, b. 13 February 1832, baptized 28 February 1832 Andover, Hampshire, England
6. Mary Ann Hickman, b. 21 January 1835, baptized 15 march 1835 Andover, Hampshire, England
7. Maria Hickman, b. 23 June 1838, baptized 25 July 1838 Andover, Hampshire England

Benjamin “Charles” Hickman, son of Benjamin & Miriam (?) Hickman, b abt 1821 in Longstock, Hampshire, England, d. Jan 1892 Andover, Hampshire England; He m1) m2) 8 Feb 1846 in Andover, Hampshire England to Helen “Ellen” Davies. Resided Andover, Hampshire, England, and in 1851 Durrington, Wiltshire England, then in 1861 back to Andover, Hampshire England. Carpenter-Journeyman
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Children of Benjamin & Helen (Davies) Hickman:
1. Charles G. Hickman, b abt 1846 [or Sept 1844]
2. H. Hickman, b abt 1849
3. +William Davies Hickman, b. 18 Sep 1847 in Andover, Hampshire England
4. Benjamin Hickman, b. 1 September 1849, baptized 9 June 1850 Andover, Hampshire, England
5. Ellen Davies Hickman, b. 9 May 1852 Andover, Hampshire, England; m. George Skeates
6. Alfred Hickman, b.29 October 1854, bap 6 May 1855 Andover, Hampshire, England
7. Ada Maria Hickman, b. 22 Feb 1858, baptized 6 April 1858 Andover Hampshire England
8. Elfrida Hickman, born 28 March 1859; christened 26 June 1859 in Andover England
9. Ada Gwendoline Hickman, christened 4 Aug 1875 Andover, Hampshire England

William Davies Hickman, was b. 18 Sep 1847 in Andover, Hampshire England, son of Benjamin & Helen “Ellen” (Davies) Hickman, and d. 22 Sep 1932 in Manchester NH; he m. 1 May 1878 in Manchester NH to Mary A. McIntire, daughter of Richard & Mary A. (Poole) McIntire/McIntyre. She b. 27 September 1856 in Belfast Ireland, d. 27 April 1933 in Manchester NH, buried Pine Grove Cemetery. He was a Loom harness maker, immigrated to the United States in 1872; buried in Manchester NH’s city tomb.
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England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about William Davies Hickman
Name: William Davies Hickman
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 18 Sep 1847
Baptism Date: 28 Nov 1847
Baptism Place: Andover, Hampshire, England
Father: Benjamin Hickman
Mother: Ellen
FHL Film Number: 1041199
Reference ID: item 4 p 219
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1851 England Census > Hampshire > Andover > 33 New Street
Charles Hickman Head 30 [b abt 1821] born Longstock
E. Hickman wife 28 [b abt 1823] b. Andover
C.G. Hickman son 6 b Andover
H. Hickman son 2 b Andover
W. Hickman son 3 months b Andover
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1880 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 225 Cedar Street
Hickman, William D. W M 31 harness Maker England Eng Eng
Hickman, Mary A W F 23 wife Keeping House Ireland Ire Ire
Hickman, Harold W. W M 7/12 November son NH Eng Ire
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1910 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 213 Second Street
Hickman, William D. Head M W 63 m1x 32 yrs England Eng Eng imm 1872 alien sweeper cotton mill
Hickman, Mary A. wife F W 52 m1x 32 years 1 child, 1 living Ire-Scotch I-S I-S imm 1874 nurse, private family
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1920 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 127 Blaine Street
Hickman, William D Head M W 72 married imm 1872 England England England mill sweeper
Hickman, Mary Ann wife F W 63 married imm 1875 alien Ire Ire Ire
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Child of William D. & Mary A. (McIntire) Hickman:
1. +Harold W. Hickman, b. 24 October 1879 in Manchester NH

Harold W. Hickman, Sr., son of William D. & Mary A. (McIntire) Hickman, b. 24 October 1879 in Manchester NH and d. 2 Mar 1984. He m. 23 June 1897 in Manchester NH to Ethelyn Winnifred “Ethel” “Winnie” Dearborn, daughter of Fred & Clara A. (Wallace) Dearborn. She b. Aug 1878 in Manchester NH and d. 16 October 1940 in Manchester NH. At the time of their marriage he was a shoe operative. In 1917 he was Captain of the Lane Light Infantry, Company F, First Regiment, NH National Guard
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Hickman Harold W. enlisted 8/xx/1918 discharged 7/30/1919 1st Army HQ Reg E. / NOK: Winifred
List of WW I Veterans, Manchester NH
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1900 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 127 Blaine Street
Hickman, H.W. Head W M Oct 1879 20 married 3 yrs NH NH NH Cloth Room
Hickman, Winifred wife W F Aug 1878 21 married 3 yrs 1 ch 1 living NH NH NH
Hickman, Marion, daughter W F Sep 1897 2 single NH NH NH
Hickman, William Head M W Sep 1890 49 married 30 yrs Eng Eng Eng immig 1871 29 yrs naturalized, Loom Harness Maker
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1920 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 79 William Street
Harold W. Hickman Head M 40 NH [b abt 1880] England Scotland Collector News Papers
Ethel N. Hickman wife F 41 NH NH NH
Harold W. Hickman son M 19 NH
Bertrice N. Hickman dau F 18 NH
Fred J. Hickman son M 15 NH
Ruth Hickman dau F 13 NH
Helen M. Hickman dau F 10 NH
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1930 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 771 Chestnut Street
Hayes, Caroline Head 15,000 F W 67 widow MA MA MA
Hickman, Harold Jr. son-in-law M W 29 married at 22 NH NH NH agent, insurance [b abt 1901]
Hickman, Marion, daughter F W 29 married age 20 NH NH MA
Hickman, Richard, grandson M W 5 single NH NH NH
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World War I Draft Registration
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Children of Harold W. & Ethel (Dearborn) Hickman:
1. Marion Mae Hickman, b. 15 Sep 1897 Manchester NH; m. 21 January 1918 in Manchester NH to Alexander Crawford, son of William & Agnes (Martin) Crawford. In 1940 she is ?widow living next door to her parents, with daughter Helen Crawford, b abt 1921 NH. At that time Marion is a dental assistant.
2. +Harold W. Hickman Jr., b. 2 Nov 1900 Manchester NH; d. March 1984 [2nd child]
3. Bertrice/Beatrice N. Hickman, b 18 Dec 1901 Manchester NH; d 15 Feb 1935 in Manchester NH, age 33; married Ernest W. Auger. She is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery
4. Fred J/D. Hickman, b abt 1905 Manchester NH; m. 5 Sep 1927 in Manchester NH to Mary E. Harris, dau of Hervey E. & Elizabeth L. (Ladd) Harris.
5. Ruth Hickman, b abt 1907 NH
6. Helen M. Hickman, b abt 1910 NH

Harold W. “Hap” Hickman, Jr., son of Harold W. & Ethel(Dearborn) Hickman, was b. 2 November 1900 in Manchester NH and d. March 1985 in Manchester NH. He married 19 May 1923 in Manchester NH to Marian Hayes, daughter of Charles C. & Caroline (Anderson) Hayes. She b. 28 June 1902 in Manchester NH d. September 1978 in Carroll Co. NH [her father was a real estate agent b in New London NH, and her mother b Reading MA]. Harold and Marian divorced. She married 2) 19 August 1933 in New London NH to Vincent O. Rogers, son of Herbert E. & Lillian A. (Sanborn) Rogers. He b. 30 April 1898 in Wakefield, Carroll Co. NH and d. January 1979 in Carroll Co., NH. Harold W. Hickman attended Cornell University, and was a pledge for Theta Psi-Colgate, and he was on the varsity football squad. In January of 1957 he was elected as first vice president of the New Hampshire Gasoline Retail Dealers Association. One source seems to indicate that for a while he was owner or manager of Sully’s Store nearby. In the 1940 US Census he is shown living at William Street, and occupation proprietor-partner of a Retail Gas Station along with his father, in addition to residing with his parents. He later entirely owned a gas station (Harold W. Hickman Service Station) at the corner of Milford & South Main Street in Manchester. The service station had a “Flying Service” sign above it.  “Hap” Hickman also sponsored one of Manchester NH’s little league teams called “Hickman,” who won the South West Little League Championship in 1961.  See photograph.
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1910 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester
Charles C. Hayes Head M 54 NH
Caroline Hayes wife F 47 MA
Louise K. Hayes dau F 22 NH
Annabelle Hayes dau F 19 NH
Marion Hayes dau F 7 NH
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Full Name: Harold Hickman
Birth: 02 Nov 1900
Death: Mar 1984
Residence: Last Residence: Manchester, NH
Social Security: Card Issued: New Hampshire
Social Security Number: ***-**-4432
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Harold W. Hickman Jr.
Conflict Period:
World War II
Branch:Army
Birth: 1900 New Hampshire
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U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 about Harold Hickman
Name: Harold Hickman
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 2 Nov 1900
Death Date: 2 Mar 1984
SSN: 001124432
Branch 1: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 6 Oct 1942
Release Date : 30 Jun 1945
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Hickman, Harold W Jr
Serial Number: 31175269
Residence: Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Enlistment Place: Manchester, New Hampshire
Enlistment Date: 22September 1942
Grade Alpha: Pvt
Grade Code: Private
Branch Alpha: Bi
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial – Warrant Officers, Usa
Enlistment Term: Enlistment For The Duration of The War or Other Emergency, Plus Six Months, Subject To The Discretion of The President or Otherwise According To Law
Source: Civil Life
Nativity: New Hampshire
Birth Year: 1900
Race and Citizenship: White, Citizen
Education: 4 Years of High School
Civil Occupation: Attendants, Filling Stations and Parking Lots
Marital Status: Divorced, Without Dependents
Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Box Number: 0404
Reel Number: 3.125
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31175269 HICKMAN HAROLD W JR MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE 22 9 42 Private Warrant Officers, USA NEW HAMPSHIRE 0 Selectees (Enlisted Men)
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1940 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester > 784 Chestnut Street
Rogers, Vincent D. Head M W 41 married C4 NH Teacher High School
Rogers, Marion H. wife F W 37 married C1 NH
Rogers, Richard H. son M W 15 H1 NH [Shown as Richard Hickman formerly]
Rogers, Davena daughter F W 5 single NH
Rogers, Vincent D. Jr. son M W 4 single NH
Rogers, Diane dau F W 1 single NH
Ball, Beverly W. Lodger M W 33 ?? C4- NY Forestry N.E.F.E.
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Child of Harold W. & Marian (Hayes) Hickman:
1. Richard Hickman-Rogers, b abt 1925 NH; died about 1993; legally adopted by Vincent D. Rogers.
Children of Vincent D. & Marian (Hayes) Rogers:
2. Davena Rogers, b abt 1935 NH; m. Donald J. DeWolf and resided Wakefield NH in 1985; RN, VNA Administrator.
3. Vincent D. Rogers Jr. b 20 February 1936 NH; d. 23 July 2001 Atkinson, Rockingham Co. NH
4. Dianne Rogers, b. abt 1939 NH; living in Wolfeboro in 1985