For many generations the ancestors of Mr. Hickey lived in Ireland and contributed to its advancement and improvement. His parents, Thomas and Katherine Hickey, emigrated therefrom in 1828, settling in New York state, where our subject was born October 1, 1846. The father was a prosperous farmer, a Democrat in politics and a communicant of the Catholic church. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living, namely William C., Thomas, Edward, Michael, Margaret and Johanna. The father died in 1875, and the mother in 1894.

Mr. Hickey's educational advantages were confined to what he could obtain from irregular attendance at the district school in his neighborhood at such times he could escape the exactions of necessary toil. He assisted his parents in the arduous requirements of rearing the family until 1865, when he went west as far Wisconsin, but returned to the East after a brief stay. In 1868 he came to Montana and located at Butte, where he devoted his time to placer mining. Mr. Hickey's success in mining has been very gratifying to him and his friends, and he has persued the calling with a singleness of purpose and a determined perseverance that would have won success in almost any line. He has also been largely interested in real estate operations that has proved successful, seeming to have that rare combination of excellent judgement and prompt action which makes a good business man.

On July 16, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda White, a native of England. They were the parents of three children: Nellie, Frances and Myrtle. Mrs. Hickey died September 28, 1884, after eight years of happy wedded life, and on August 22, 1888, Mr. Hickey contracted a second marriage, his choice being Miss Agnes Moran, (born 1870) a native of Montana and daughter of Patrick and Katherine Moran, natives of Ireland, who first came to America in their early married life, locating first at Cincinatti but removing to Montana in 1863. The father was engaged in freighting and also conducted a hotel on the road to Bozeman and Gallatin, in both occupations he was fairly successful. Both parents were members of the Catholic church, and both have passed into eternal life--the father in 1888 and the mother in 1896. Mr Hickey, by his second marriage, is the father of six children: William, Edward, Irene, Benita, Flora and Zella. The parents are members of the Catholic church. They find Montana an agreeable place to live in, and are as well esteemed throughout their large circle of friends and the community in general, as they have been successful in business and useful to their city and county.

Source: Progressive Men of the State of Montana; Publisher, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, ca 1902
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WILLIAM HICKEY ANSWERS THE CALL

PIONEER OF THE STATE SUCCUMBS TO CANCER OF THE STOMACH

Lived for Many Years in Bozeman and Helena, Being Engaged in Mining

William Hickey, one of the pioneers of the city, died yesterday after a lingering illness of cancer of the stomach. He had been ailing since last October and his death was not unexpected. His condition was not deemed critical until a week ago when he was removed to a hospital.

Mr. Hickey was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, 64 years ago and came to this city in 1866. He did not remain here however, but removed to Bozeman and later to Helena, where he remained until two years ago. He spent most of his time at mining in Lewis and Clarke county. He is survived by a wife and nine children, all of this city: two brothers, Edward Hickey, president of the Tuolumne Copper Mining company, and Thomas Hickey, and a sister, Mrs. D.T. Lewis, all of Butte. Another brother, Michael, died two years ago.

The body has been removed from Walsh's undertaking rooms to the family residence, 361 East Granite street, from where the funeral will be held tomorrow at 9:30 o'clock; proceeding to the Sacred Heart church where a requiem mass will be celebrated.

Published 4 Apr 1911 in the Butte Daily Miner (Butte, MT)