My Genealogy Hound

ELDER FRANK A. HENDRICKS, minister in the German Baptist or Brethren Church, also a farmer. Elder Hendricks is one of the oldest and most respected settlers in this portion of Jasper county. He has a fine farm, well cultivated, which produces an abundance as a reward for his honest toil. His residence is new and substantial, and all things bear the mark of thrift and good husbandry. He was born Nov. 16, 1830, in Cape Girardeau county, Mo, His father, Daniel Hendricks, was a native of Kentucky, and came to this state in the year 1814. Young Hendricks spent his boyhood on a farm, and in 1848 removed to Hancock county, Ill., where he was married to Miss Mary Pike, Sept 6, 1853. She was born in that state Sept. 1, 1833, daughter of William Pike, one of the prominent settlers of that country. They have a family of eight children, named as follows: William J., Daniel W., James G., Mary E., Celicia A., Allie E., George F. and Emma May. Elder Hendricks belongs to a religious organization of strict Christian principles, known as German Baptists or “Dunkards.” They believe in no salaried minister, but hold to plainess of dress and honest toil, by all, both minister and people. They believe in tri-immersion, in the Lord’s Supper in communion, laying on of hands, and anointing the sick, and feet-washing in the singular mode. The school which Elder Hendricks attended was a log structure, 16x18 feet, pointed with clay, holes cut on the east and south sides for windows, a flat log with legs driven into it for seats, a fire place at one end, and the scholars took turns in getting warm. School was taught only in the winter, and at times it was so cold that the ink would freeze while the scholars were writing. Under such circumstances the subject of this sketch obtained his early education. He followed blacksmithing for some years before coming here. In 1867 he removed to Jasper county and bought 160 acres where the present town of Jasper is situated, when there were only three houses between his farm and Carthage, and only about half a dozen houses in Carthage. Though firm and consistent in his Christian belief he follows in the footsteps of the Master, with that generous feeling towards others which commands itself to all consistent minds. Highly respected, his family maintains a foremost position in the community where they reside.