He was Secretary-Treasurer, and afterwards President, of the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada.

[1] He married Catherine Dow, daughter of Andrew Dow at Stralhearn House, Montreal, June 17, 1869.

She was involved in charity work, in particular for the prevention of the spread of tuberculosis in Canada.

The couple, who lived at 272 Mountain Street, Montreal, had six children, three sons and three daughters.

Their eldest son, J. W. A. Hickson, Esquire, Ph.D., was a professor at McGill University.