My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH HICKS. In the city of Springfield, to which he retired a few years ago that he might spend his later years in the enjoyment of the reasonable recreations which a city affords, Mr. Hicks is well-known and highly respected. He was but ten years of age when he came to this county with his widowed mother and has lived within its bounds almost continuously since his arrival. He was born in Reading, Berks County, Pa., September, 5, 1833, and in the same county two generations of his progenitors had opened their eyes to the light. The paternal ancestor who preceded them was a native of England, who had emigrated to America in Colonial times, he was a blacksmith by trade and his son Michael Hicks carried on the business for some years. The latter then built a distillery on his farm three miles from Reading, and operated the estate and distillery until his death.

William Hicks, son of the Michael Hicks above mentioned, learned the trade of a stair-builder, at which he worked in Reading, Philadelphia, and other places. He came to Lancaster, Ohio, on a visit, during which he was attacked by cholera and died, leaving a widow and five small children. His wife had borne the maiden name of Elizabeth Eberly and was a native of the same county as himself. She was a daughter of George Eberly, a German who came to America when seventeen years of age. He married Mary Shaffer who was of German ancestry, but a native of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in 1846, settling at Lagonda, where Mrs. Eberly died. The widower afterward made his home with his children and breathed his last with his daughter, in Dayton. Their daughter, Mrs. Hicks, came to this State after the death of her husband and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Hawker.

The gentleman of whom we write being the oldest of the parental family, began work as soon as he could earn money and assisted his widowed mother in rearing the younger children. At the age of seventeen years, he began to learn the trade of a carpenter which he followed until 1804. He then went to Ogle County, Ill., and located on a farm, upon which he resided three years and a half, when he returned to this county and purchased a tract of land on section 7, Springfield Township, which he occupied and operated until 1887. He then left his son in charge, of the estate and became a resident of the county seat, where he owns seven lots and four houses.

At the home of the bride, August 2, 1858, Joseph Hicks was united in marriage with Emily Sheaff, an estimable young woman who comes of a good family and was well reared by worthy parents. She was born two miles from Springfield, her parents, John and Nancy Sheaff, having been pioneers in this county. Both were born in York, Pa., and her father is numbered among the most prosperous citizens of the county. He is a brother of Leonard Sheaff whose sketch appears elsewhere in this Album. To Mr. and Mr. Hicks two sons and two daughters have been born, named respectively: John W. and Joseph Edward. Ella E. and Carrie E., the daughters, are deceased.