M. W. Hicks's biography, Hastings, Barry County, Michigan SUBJECT: M. W. HICKS SUBMITTER: Jan Sedore EMAIL: am0773@a1access.net DATE: Mar 19, 1999 SURNAMES: HICKS, FOX, ALLEN, VAN ARMAN PORTRAIT AND BIOGHRAPHICAL ALBUM Page 193 M. W. HICKS M. W. Hicks, of Hastings, Barry County, is a son of Melancthon W. and Sara (Fox) Hicks, natives of New York. The father was a customhouse officer at Whitehall, and came to Michigan in 1844, settling in Oakland County, and carried on a store and flouring mill. He was elected a Representative of his county one term by the Democrats. At the breaking out of the gold fever he went of California by water, and was on the route four months. He was gone one year and was quite successful in accumulating the dust. After his return he purchased a farm in the Township of Southfield Center, Oakland County, this State. This farm he cleared and improved, and in 1868 sold it and removed to Wenona, now called West Bay City, where he purchased real estate and opened a flour and feed store. He died in 1869 in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he was a member of the Masonic order at Redford, Wayne County. The wife of this honorable gentleman passed away at an advanced age in 1890 at West Bay City. To this couple were born five children, four of whom still survive: George D., now deceased; Charles II., of Hastings, in engaged in farming; William F. is engaged in the ice business and farming at Hastings; Emma M, now Mrs George A. Allen, of West Bay City; and our subject. On the father's side of the house Mr. Hicks is of French descent, and on the mother's side of English descent. Mr Hicks received his education at Ypsilanti at the Union School, and afterward returned home and engaged in agricultural pursuits. On leaving home he went to Wenona, now West Bay City, and there clerked for Allan & Hicks. After the death of his father, he with his brother, Charles II., purchased the business and ran the same six years in connection with a grocery store. In 1871 they started a branch store at Hastings. There Mr. Hicks purchased produce and shipped to West Bay City until 1876. He then sold out and purchased a farm in Hastings, and farmed four years. He subsequently clerked two years and traded his farm for a stock of goods. During the years prior to 1889 there had been a number of changes in partnership, the firm at present being Hicks & Spence. They do an extensive business. Mr Hicks was married November 3, 1876, to Miss Mary Van Arman, a daughter of George and Betsey Van Arman. To this couple was born one son, Ford M. Our subject is a stanch supporter of the Democracy. He is a man of sagacity and clear-sightedness, and always favors everything that will in any way enhance the prosperity of his township and county. He is a stockholder in the furniture factory of this place, and has helped in various ways to build up the city. His pleasant home is situated on the corner of Park and Walnut Streets. ----------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.