JAMES K. HICKS was born in Jericho and with the exception of a few years has spent his entire life in this village, where he is owner and proprietor of a blacksmith shop. His birth occurred March 30, 1845, his parents being James and Hannah Hicks, natives respectively of the towns of flushing and Oyster Bay. The former, after his marriage, moved to Jericho, where he bought a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits, in connection with which occupation he engaged in business until within a few years previous to his death. An honest, upright man, he was liked by all with whom he had business or social relations. While still comparatively young, he was called from earth April 6, 1856. His widow resides at the old homestead and retains her faculties to a remarkable degree, though now ninety-three years old.

The parental family consisted of nine children, of whom seven are still living. Of these we note the following: Elizabeth married John Seaman of Jericho; John J. lives in this village, as does Catherine, widow of Jackson Duryea; Caroline is the wife of Benjamin Nevins of Jersey City; Charles C. is engaged in mining at Cripple Creek; James K. is next in order of birth, and Sarah A., a successful school teacher, has taught for twenty-two consecutive years in Lakeville, Queens County.

Until twelve years of age our subject attended the common schools and remained with his parents, after which he made his home with his brother-in-law, John Seaman, then in New York City, assisting him in his business and during leisure times attending private school. Later he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith’s trade with William Wright of Jericho, remaining here for five years. Returning then to New York, he took a position as shipping clerk and spent five years with one company.

March 27, 1869, Mr. Hicks married Miss Martha W. Russell, daughter of James Russell, who for forty years was a custom house official in Brooklyn, where she was born and educated. In 1871 our subject resigned his position in the city and returned to his native village, where he built a steam mill for the purpose of grinding feed and in connection with it had a blacksmith shop. After ten years he gave up the milling business and bought the smithy from his old employer and master, since which time he has conducted a large trade, and his skill as a mechanic brings him many customers. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs, often representing the part at town, county, state and senatorial conventions. For ten years he has been a member of Pembroke Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., at Glencove. Since 1886 he has served as inspector of elections and at other times he has held local offices of trust.

Of the first marriage of Mr. Hicks there were born five children, all of whom are living, namely: Roy, a machinist at Jericho; Edna, wife of Charles Miller, a wheelwright living in Roslyn; Daisy, who is married and lives in Syosset; Irene, who is making her home with her aged grandmother; and Charles C., now employed in Brooklyn. The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Mary (Weeks) Robbins, the widow of Daniel Robbins. for his their wife he chose Miss Annie E., daughter of Daniel Lawrence, and a native of Greenvale, town of Oyster Bay. Four children have been born of this union, namely: Daniel Lawrence; James K., his father’s namesake; Edith and Harry. In addition to the other organizations with which he is identified, Mr. Hicks is a member of Hicksville Council No. 1159, R. A., in which he has filled the office of orator.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

BACK TO Bios. index

BACK TO NASSAU COUNTY HISTORY