John Harry Woodall Hickton was born in Halesowen, Worcestershire, England in 1868. He was articled to Samuel Loxton (1830-1895) in Walsall, Staffordshire from 1885 to 1890, and then worked as his assistant. He also attended Birmingham School of Art. He commenced independent practice as an architect in Walsall in 1894 and took over Loxton's practice following his death in 1895. In 1896 he formed the partnership Hickton & Farmer with Henry Edward Farmer. (1868-1934). The firm specialised in the design of cinemas. By 1910, they were the architects to Electric Picture Palaces, Midlands Ltd, and were designing cinemas for them in Birmingham. They also designed numerous cinemas for other firms throughout Britain
By 1923 the practice had been renamed Hickton, Farmer & Farmer. By 1932 Hickton seems to have separated from Farmer as Hickton and Farmer & Farmer are listed separately in the Kelly's Directory that year, however, both give 4, St Paul's Close, Walsall as the address of their office.
Hickton was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1900 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1901. His address was given as 15 Bridge Street, Walsall in 1900 and 1926. He died in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire on 22 October 1940
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001