Born in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bicknell graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1831. He completed the study of law at
Yale Law School. He was
admitted to the bar in 1836 and commenced practice in New York City before moving to
Lexington, Indiana, in 1846.
Family He married Elizabeth Haskins Richards (November 13, 1816 - July 1, 1909), daughter of Jesse and Sarah Haskins Richards of Batsto, New Jersey.(1) They had at least two sons (Jesse Richards Bicknell and Admiral George Augustus Bicknell, III) and two daughters (Martha Haskins Richards Bicknell Mahon and Emma Valeria Pintard Bicknell Love). (2)
Legal and teaching career Bicknell was elected prosecuting attorney of Scott County in 1848 and then circuit prosecutor in 1850. He moved to New Albany in 1851. He served as judge of the second judicial circuit of Indiana 1852–1876, and was also a professor of law at
Indiana University 1861–1870. ==Congress ==