[2] He emigrated to the United States and took a position in the electro-chemical department of West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co.[2] In 1918, he was appointed chief chemist of their New York laboratories.

[2] Wickenden started his own consulting practice at 120 Wall Street, New York City in 1934.

[2] He was married to Elsie Porter Wickenden, they had a son, Leonard and a daughter Mrs John Hermenze.

[1] Wickenden's first book Make Friends With Your Land (1949) defended the conservation of organic matter and its use in composting.

[3] His book Our Daily Poison (1955) was concerned about the effects of DDT, fluorides, hormones and other chemicals being used in agriculture, animal husbandry and the public water supply.