Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 7

The ancestral history of the Hicks family is one of close identification with the colony of Massachusetts. The Mayflower, which brought the little band of Pilgrims to the shores of the New World, was followed the next year by the stanch little barque Fortune, which, sailing from London, arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the nth of November, 1621. Among its passengers was Robert Hicks, the founder of the family in America. He was a leather-dresser from Bermondesey street, Southwark, London. His father, James Hicks, was lineally descended from Sir Ellis Hicks, who was knighted by Edward, the Black Prince, on the battle-field of Poinctiers, September 9, 1356, for bravery in capturing a set of colors from the French. Margaret, the wife of Robert Hicks, with her children, came to America in the ship Ann, which arrived at Plymouth in the latter part of June, 1622. The family settled in Duxbury, Massachusetts, but two of the sons, John and Stephen, about 1642, removed to Long Island. In October, 1645, Governor Kieft granted a patent to Thomas Farrington, John Hicks and others for ,the township of Flushing, Long Island. John Hicks seems to have taken a leading part in the affairs of the settlement, and was appointed at various times to fill the most important offices. His name and that of his son Thomas appear in connection with almost every public measure for many years.

Robert Hicks was twice married. He first wedded Elizabeth Morgan and had four children, — Elizabeth, Thomas, John and Stephen. Before leaving England he married Margaret Winslow, and their four children were named Samuel, Ephraim, Lydia and Phebe. John Hicks, the second of the family, married Rachel Starr, and of their children — Thomas, Hannah and Elizabeth — the eldest was the second in the line of descent to him whose name heads this sketch. Thomas Hicks wedded Mary Washburn, and their children were Thomas and Jacob. The mother died and he later married Mary Doughty, by whom he had ten children, namely: Isaac, William, Stephen, John, Charles, Benjamin, Phebe, Charity, Mary and Elizabeth. Of this family Isaac Hicks married a lady whose first name was Elizabeth, but whose surname is not known. Their children were Charles, Benjamin, Isaac, Gilbert, James, Thomas, Henry, John, Edward, Margaret, Mary. Isaac Hicks, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Hicks, married Charity Esmond, and their union was blessed with five children, Edward, Charles, Amy, Sarah and Margaret. The second son, Charles, was the great-grandfather of our subject. He married Mary Hicks, and their children were Rodman, Oliver, Charles, Sarah, Philetta and Lindley.

Oliver Hicks, the grandfather of our subject, was born on Long Island and there spent the greater part of his life. He married Susan Vermillyea, whose father was a resident of Horseneck, Westchester county. By occupation he was a farmer and at the time of the Revolutionary war he loyally served his country as a colonel in the American army. Unto Oliver and Susan Hicks were born two sons and three daughters: Charles, Eliza, Scott, Susan A. and Jane.

Charles Hicks, the father of our subject, was born on Long Island, near Hicksville, and was a relative of the celebrated Elias Hicks, the founder of the Hicksite branch of Friends, one of the early branches of that society. Mr. Hicks became a member of the firm of Schenck, Downing & Company, dealers in paints and glass at Nos. 106 and 108 Fulton street. New York city, and thus continued for many years, having formerly been engaged in merchandising. For about ten years before his death he lived retired from business cares, enjoying a well-earned competence, which supplied him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, but voted for Abraham Lincoln and was a strong Union man, placing the country's good before party preferment at the time of the nation's peril. He was also one of the first to advocate the issue of bonds for the purpose of carrying on the war. In his early life he served as a captain in the Twenty-seventh Regiment of the New York state militia, and was ever a valued citizen of the community in which he made his home. He died May 29, 1866, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Ann Sackett, was a representative of one of the prominent old families of Westchester county. She is deceased, and, like the others of the name, lies buried in the cemetery at Bedford.

Henry R. Hicks, the only child of Charles and Jane A. (Sackett) Hicks, was born in New York city, December 14, 1835, and pursued his education in school No. 7, and in the grammar school of Columbia College. At the age of sixteen he entered upon his business career, securing a clerkship with the firm of John Haslam & Sons, hardware merchants, with whom he continued until 1858, and after that was in the employ of Read & Towsley until 1860. From that year until 1874 he was employed in the engineering department of the Brooklyn navy yard, acting as storekeeper from 1865 until the close of his connection with that business. On resigning his place, in 1874, he retired to private life and has since resided in the seventh ward in Yonkers, upon a farm of thirty acres, which has been his place of abode for thirty-six years. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank, and from the beginning has continuously served on its directorate, he and Charles Dusenberry being the only charter members of the bank who are now acting as directors.

For many years Mr. Hicks has occupied positions of distinctive preferment in connection with the public life of Yonkers. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and has long been a recognized leader in the ranks of the party. From the old fourth ward of the city he was elected a member of the city council in 1872, and served in that capacity for six consecutive terms, — a longer continuous service than any other member of that body. His long retention in the office was certainly a high tribute to his ability and to the fidelity with which he discharged his duties, and for three terms he had the honor of being president of the council. He exercised his official prerogative for the benefit and progress of the city, supporting all measures which he believed would advance the general welfare. He has been one of the police commissioners of Yonkers since September, 1892, when he was appointed to that office, and by reappointment, received in 1897, he will continue to serve until 1901. Socially he is a member of the Rising Star Lodge of Masons.

On the 21st of May, 1863, Mr. Hicks was united in marriage to Miss Isabell Weed, a daughter of Isaac Weed, an agriculturist of Yonkers. They have two daughters: Eveline W., wife of Dr. Karl H. Krober, a physician of Yonkers; and Isabell, wife of Rudolph Eickemeyer, Jr. Such in brief is the history of one who for many years has been a distinguished and representative citizen of Yonkers. In all his business dealing and official duties he has been scrupulously exact and fair. In the former he has been very successful, as the result of ability, discrimination and enterprise. The life of such a man is an object lesson of real value to the observing and thoughtful. It brings out prominently the characteristics that win, offers encouragement to young men who are willing to work with their minds and with their hands, and affords another proof of the familiar adage that there is no royal road to wealth or distinction in this republic. The achievement depends upon the man.