Individual Details

Northern Alabama Historical & Biographical, Illustrated. Pub. 1888
Henry W. Pickens, Mayor of Attalla, was born near Huntsville, AL, on 1 Apr 1824 (family Bible has 11 May 1824). He was reared on a farm, received a liberal education and at the age of 16 began the study of law. Not finding the legal profession suited to his taste, he abandoned it, and turned his attention to school teaching, which he followed for sixteen successive years. About 1852 he located in Gadsden and engaged in the real estate busines. In 1865 he entered the army as Third Lieutenant in the 31st Alabama and in August following was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. In November of 1862 because of ill health he was detailed to the supply department of the army. Prior to secession he was a strong Union man and advocated that doctrine publicly from the stump, with much force. After the war he engaged in farming, and in 1870 located at Attalla, where he gave his attention principally to real estate business. In 1870 he was Superintendent of Education of Etowah County. He married October 7th, 1845, to Miss Lucy W. Nowlin of Madison County. To this union, thirteen children were born, three of whom died young: William K., Sarah E. (Mrs. J. C. Nobler), Susan (Mrs. W. T. Wimpee), Cornelia (Mrs. J. B. Rogers), Katie (deceased), David W., Claudia (deceased), Henry W., George B., and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Pickens were consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Joseph and Selena (Brazelton) Pickens were the parents of Henry W. Pickens, whose name heads this sketch. Joseph was born in Pickens Districk, South Carolina and his father having died, he came with his mother and four sisters to Alabama at an early day and settled near Huntsville. He became a prominent farmer in Madison County and owned a place seven miles east of Huntsville where for many years he maintained an extensive campmeeting ground. He was a prominent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He reared a family of eleven children, viz: Hipasia, wife of Rev. M. G. Milligan, Dr. A. G. Pickens (died in Honey Grove, Texas), Henry W., (subject of this sketch), Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Leonard Lamberson; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Preston Mills who died in the Confederate Army; Jane, deceased, was the wife of John T. Haden and was the mother of Charles J. Haden, known to the newspaper world by the name of "C. Aytch"; Margaret now wife of Mr. Trice of Ocalona, Miss., Joseph William; James C; John M.; and Lydia (deceased). She was the wife of Mr. Barnard.
The old gentleman died in 1870. His widow still survives him at the age of eighty six years.

Birth	11 May 1824
Marriage	7 Oct 1845	Madison County, Alabama - Lucy Wade Nowlin
Death	9 Jan 1890

Spouse

Lucy Wade Nowlin ( - )

Father	Joseph William Pickens (1794 - 1868)
Mother	Selina Brazelton (1802 - 1892)
Sibling	Hypasia Ann Pickens (1820 - 1904)
Sibling	Dr. Andrew Gibson Pickens (1822 - 1887)
Sibling	Frances Catherine Pickens (1826 - 1872)
Sibling	Elisabeth C. Pickens (1829 - 1868)
Sibling	Clemenza Jane Pickens (1831 - 1866)
Sibling	Margaret Toleta Pickens (1834 - 1915)
Sibling	Joseph William Israel Pickens (1836 - 1911)
Sibling	Lydia S. E. Pickens (1838 - 1875)
Sibling	James C. W. Pickens (1841 - )
Sibling	John Middleton Pickens (1845 - 1900)