Born in Wapello, Iowa, Hicklin graduated from high school in 1911 at 16 years old.
He was a member of the Iowa Senate from 1930 to 1934, and an unsuccessful Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Iowa's 1st congressional district in 1934, losing to New Deal Democrat Edward C. Eicher.
[2] During the World War II era, he was a lieutenant colonel in the International Division of the Army Service Forces.
[3] Hicklin was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 16, 1957, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa vacated by Judge William F. Riley.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 15, 1957, and received his commission the next day.