My Genealogy Hound

James H. Hicks, an efficient public servant of Lonoke County, and the incumbent of the office of sheriff, was born in Brownsville, Ark., March 22, 1855, the son of Isaac C. and Eliza M. (Smith) Hicks, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. Isaac C. Hicks came to Arkansas when but eight years of age, and the rapid growth and improvement of the State since that time seems almost marvelous. He located here when the Territory was thinly settled, and of course endured all the inconvenience and privations incident to pioneer life, his privileges for schooling being meager and far from satisfactory. He carried the mail for three days during the week, and attended school the remaining three days, and though his education was gained under such disadvantages he became a man of more than ordinary attainments, possessing indomitable will. He never sought political distinction, but served as mayor of Brownsville, and also of Lonoke. At the time of his death, in 1872, he was filling the latter position. During the war he served as lieutenant in the Arkansas State troops, and was disabled at the battle of Oak Hill. After the war he resided for some years at Little Rock, giving his children excellent opportunities for acquiring an education in the schools of that city. He was one of the founders of Lonoke, helping to lay out the present site of the city, and was among the first to settle there. In a family of nine children, James H. is the fourth in order of birth, and when only an infant his mother died, leaving him to his father’s care. Mr. Hicks married again, so that the home was not broken up. James remained at home until he reached his majority, and was given every advantage for a good education. In 1873 he entered St. John’s College of Little Rock, after leaving which he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, and has for many years been thus occupied in the county. He also devoted his attention to the study of law, but never practiced that profession. In 1886 he was elected to the office of sheriff, and in 1888 was re-elected, being the unanimous choice of the people, and the candidate of the Democratic party. He served several years as city marshal of Lonoke, and in all cases never failed to give entire satisfaction. Mr. Hicks is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, a director in the Lonoke Building & Loan Association, and also director of the Lonoke Bank. He is Chief Templar of Lonoke Lodge I. O. G. T. and president of the corporation to construct the building known as the Lonoke Hotel. In June, 1878, Mr. Hicks was married to Miss Rosa J. Puryear, a native of Virginia, who came with her parents to Tennessee, and from there to Arkansas in 1877. To Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born three children, two sons and one bright little daughter, named in order of birth, James H., Alma Puryear and I. C. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Hicks has been steward for fifteen years, and he is one of the building committee for that organization. He is a large land owner in Lonoke County, having 100 acres in an excellent state of cultivation. Thoroughly believing in developing the resources of the country, Mr. Hicks is always ready to lend his aid and support in the county’s general advancement and growth, his heart and pocket ever being open to worthy objects of charity. He has inherited from his father, to a remarkable degree, that ambition and pride of character, which have enabled him to carve his own way through life to a position of honor and affluence.