Hicks, John

HICKS, BROOKS, PRINGLE

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 15:30:17

John Hicks, of Brighton, is one of the pioneers of Washington County, Iowa. He is a native of Clarke County, Ohio, born May 8, 1834, and is the son of William and Sarah (Brooks) Hicks, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Clarke County, Ohio, and in October, 1845, emigrated to Washington County, Iowa, locating on section 34, Brighton Township. They were the parents of four sons, three living: John, the subject of this sketch; Robert C., of Jefferson County, Iowa, and William F., of Washington County, Iowa; Samuel member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the common schools and in the academy at Fairfield, which institution he attended until four months of graduating. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 13th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was mustered into the service at Davenport, from which place the regiment was sent to St. Louis, and from there to Pittsburg Landing, where it took part in the battle of Shiloh. In this engagement Mr. Hicks participated, but was shortly afterward taken sick and sent to the hospital at Corinth, Miss., in consequence of disease contracted in the service.

In May, 1863, Mr. Hicks married Miss L. A. Pringle, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Pringle, of this county. By this union there are four children, two sons and two daughters: Maida M., the wife of Charles Robinson, of Brighton Township; Cora B., William M. and John Wesley, at home. Mr. Hicks belongs to the G. A. R. of Brighton. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are identified with the Methodists, being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Brighton. For forty-two years they have been residents of Washington County, and have lived to see it changed from a wilderness to one of the most prosperous counties in the State of Iowa. Where the Indian wigwam and the crude log cabins of the pioneers once stood, are now fine residences of a prosperous and happy people.

In politics, Mr. Hicks is a Democrat, and has been honored by his township with many of the local offices. In 1883 he was elected one of the Supervisors of the county, and took and active interest in the building of the present handsome court-house and fine jail. As an evidence of his popularity, he was elected in a Republican county by a majority of 300 votes. He is the present nominee in the fall of 1887, on the Democratic ticket, for the Legislature from Washington County, and on account of his popularity as a citizen and as an officer, makes the race and exciting one. His farm consists of 285 acres of land, 245 of which is under a high state of cultivation.

An excellent portrait of Mr. Hicks will be found upon the opposite page, which will be appreciated in the hundreds of homes where this work forms part of the household library.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of John Hicks, page 253. Portrait on page 252.