My Genealogy Hound

HENRY B. HICKS, an able farmer and prominent man, and for four years an efficient Supervisor of Milton Township, now resides upon section 31, Jefferson Township, Cass County, Mich. Our subject has passed his entire life in Cass County, and was born in Milton Township October 15, 1845. He is the son of Richard V. and Catherine E. (Ullery) Hicks. The paternal grandfather, John Hicks, was a native of Cornwall, England. His good wife was Caroline Perry. Grandfather Hicks was a military man, and spent his entire life in England. His children were William, who died in Cass County, Mich., leaving a wife and several children; Henry, who after coming to America fell from a vessel and was drowned; John, who was killed while raising a log house in Shelby County, Ohio; Richard Perry, who died in Michigan; and Susanah. The father of our subject was born in Cornwall, England, November 17, 1819. He emigrated with his brother Edward to the United States and visited his brother William in Cass County, Mich., in 1887. He made his home for a time in Ohio, but finally settled in 1843 in Milton Township, upon one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he brought up to a high state of improvement.

Richard Hicks is an energetic man and has accumulated a large property, increasing his acres to seven hundred and fifty, and he also owns valuable village lots. As Supervisor of the township and as Justice of the Peace he has given valuable service to his fellow-townsmen, and is esteemed a liberal and progressive citizen. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is broad and tolerant in his religious views. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The nine children of his household were John P., Henry B., Richard J., Caroline E., Sarah J., William S., Katie M. (of Shelby County, Ohio), Mary A. and Oran V. The mother of our subject, a native of Pennsylvania, was the daughter of Jacob Ullery, a substantial farmer, who died in Shelby County, Ohio. The four sons of Jacob Ullery were John, Samuel, Jacob and George. The daughters were five in number. Mr. Ullery was a member of the German Baptist Church, and the family was reared in the observance of the Dunkard faith.

Our subject, Henry B. Hicks, received his schooling in the home district, and began for himself by working on shares on the old homestead. The first farm he owned was ninety acres in Niles Township, Berrien County. This land he partially improved, but sold it in 1880, then purchasing the one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides. He has successfully made his way in life, and during his four years of public work as Supervisor materially assisted in the advancement of local improvements. He removed to his present location March 11, 1891. Mr. Hicks is active in politics, and is fraternally associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

February 10, 1891, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Kate L. Miller, born in Milton Township, and a daughter of Antone and Elizabeth (Herald) Miller. Antone Miller was born June 16, 1821, in Ravensberg, Wurtemberg, Germany. He had one brother and two sisters, all of whom passed away in Germany. Antone, surviving, decided to emigrate to the United States, and went to Niles, Mich., in 1853. He was by trade a mason, but has spent the greater part of his life in farming. In religious affiliation he is a Roman Catholic. His wife was born in Shifferstadt, Bavaria, September 26, 1854. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Herald. Her father was a cabinet-maker and died in Germany. His widow then crossed the broad Atlantic to America, where her two sons and two daughters made their home. Joseph Miller, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hicks, was a liveryman in Germany. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Hicks has been blessed by the birth of one child, Hazel A. Our subject and his estimable wife have a large circle of friends, and occupy a position of useful influence. Mr. Hicks is interested in all matters of public welfare and is ever ready to assist in local enterprises.