He was of the fifth generation in direct descent from Thomas Wickersham, who in 1701 settled on a 1,000-acre tract of land in Chester County that had been deeded by William Penn in 1682 to his father-in-law, Anthony Killingbeck.

Wickersham received a good education in the public schools and at Unionville Academy, near his birthplace.

When he was sixteen years old he was a teacher in a public school, and in 1845 he became principal of the Marietta (Pa.) academy.

In 1866 he was appointed state superintendent of public instruction, and held that post for nearly fifteen years.

In 1863 he raised a regiment of soldiers for three months' service, and commanded it during the Gettysburg Campaign.