WILLIAM H. HICKOK

 

     William H. Hickok, a well known and successful resident of Humeston, was for a number of years identified with education interests as a school teacher and also worked at the painter’s trade during his active business career but is now living retired, having accumulated a competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.  In addition to his home at Humeston he owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 34, Union township, Lucas county.

     Mr. Hickok was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 1st of December, 1845, his parents being Ambrose Nelson and Eliza Maria (Wright) Hickok, both of whom were natives of New York.  Harry Hickok, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in the Empire state and passed away in Illinois.  Representatives of the family were among the earlier settlers of both Ohio and Illinois.  Ambrose N. Hickok, the father of William H. Hickok, whose birth occurred in 1816, was the eldest child of his parents and at the age of twelve years was left an orphan.  He became an agriculturist by occupation and was engaged in the work of the fields both of Illinois and Iowa, taking up his abode in Union township, Lucas county, this state, in 1873.  His demise occurred in Humeston, Iowa, in 1907, while his wife passed away on the old home farm in Lucas county in 1896.  They were the parents of five children.  Hannah Alvira, born in Mercer county, Illinois, in 1843, passed away in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1910.  William H., of this review, is the next in order of birth.  Elizabeth Jane, a native of Rock Island county, Illinois, born in 1847, passed away in Humeston, Iowa, in 1911.  Daniel Nelson, born in Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1850, passed away in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1905.  He was one of the prominent citizens of his community, being held in high esteem by his fellowmen, and was well known in fraternal circles, having attained the highest rank as an Odd Fellow.  He had two sons, Harry V. and Arthur, both of whom are deceased.  Clarence Alvin, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, born in 1853, resides at Aledo, within a few miles of his birthplace, and at the present time is sheriff of Mercer county.  His children are four in number, namely:  Burton O., Robert A., Mrs. Grace A. Brown, and C. Earl.

     William H. Hickok grew to manhood in his native county and obtained his early education in the graded schools, subsequently attending the high school at Rock Island and the Illinois Wesleyan College at Bloomington.  After the family home had been established in Iowa he returned to Illinois and followed the profession of teaching in the latter state for about five years.  Altogether he spent about fifteen years in the schoolroom and became known as a successful educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired.  In addition to his labors as a school teacher he worked at the painter’s trade, being busily engaged at that occupation until recently incapacitated by physical disability.  As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and has gained and maintained an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of the community.

     In politics Mr. Hickok is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Humeston, with which denomination he became identified when but twelve years of age.  Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, joining Lodge no. 755 at Preemption, Illinois, and enjoying the distinction of being one of the most rapidly advanced men in the history of the order, for he completed the work in three successive nights.  For about five years he served as secretary of Preemption Lodge.  At the present time he is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. N., of Humeston.  His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.

 

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