Pickett was born in 1823 in Buckingham County, Virginia.

He served as a private in the U. S. Army in the War against Mexico, in 1845.

"His service in the U.S. Army during the War against Mexico prompted his move to Texas.

During the 1850s, he served as a lawyer in several southeastern Texas counties.

[1] He returned to the state legislature in 1870, this time representing the 1st district in the Texas Senate.