BIO: Joseph G. HICKS, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 319-320.
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  JOSEPH G. HICKS, Mapleton Depot, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born at 
Barree, Huntingdon county, March 30, 1852. He is the son of John and 
Barbara (Eynon) Hicks. Mr. Hick's paternal and maternal grandparents 
were natives of England, and were engaged in the manufacture of iron. 
His father, the late John Hicks, of Milledgeville, Ga., was born in the 
south of Wales. He emigrated to America in 1845, and settled at 
Phoenixville, Chester county, Pa. Like his father, he was an 
ironmaster, and worked at this trade all his life. Remaining only a 
short time in Phoenixville, Mr. Hicks moved to Huntingdon county, where 
he was connected with the Hatfield Iron Works. He was in the employ of 
the company until 1873, when his health failed, and, seeking renewed 
strength in a milder climate, he went to Milledgeville, Ga., where he 
died May 5, 1874. Mr. John Hicks married Barbara, daughter of James and 
A. Eliza Eynon, a native of South Wales. Several of their children, 
Jane; Charles; James and Edward, are dead. Those who survive are: Rev. 
W. W.; Rev. Owen, pastor of the Methodist church in McConnellsburg, 
Pa.; Hon. J. D.; Anna (Mrs. John Shane), of Cleveland, Ohio; Joseph G.; 
and Rhoda (Mrs. T. M. Eynon), Philadelphia, Pa. Rev. W. W. Hicks is a 
retired clergyman, residing in New York. At the time President Garfield 
was murdered, the Rev. Mr. Hicks was stationed in Washington, D.C., and 
was the spiritual adviser of Guiteau. Hon. J. D. Hicks is a member of 
the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, from the 
twentieth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, comprising the 
counties of Cambria, Blair, Somerset and Bedford. He is now serving his 
third term. Mr. John Hicks and his wife are members of the Methodist 
church. Mr. Hicks was prominent in church work, and held several 
offices in the congregation with which he was connected. Mrs. Hicks 
died in 1866, aged forty-nine.
  Joseph G. Hicks was five years of age when his parents moved to 
Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the public schools of that city until 
1866, when his mother died, after which his father removed to Altoona, 
and there Joseph Hicks finished his education. At the age of fifteen, 
Joseph Hicks began his life-long connection with the Pennsylvania 
Railroad, entering the general office of superintendent as messenger. 
He served the company in this capacity for three years. Mr. Hicks was 
ambitious and industrious and improved his leisure hours by learning 
telegraphy, and in 1870 he secured a position as telegraph operator on 
the Pittsburg and Erie Railroad, which he held for one year. In 1871 
Mr. Hicks was appointed telegraph operator of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company, at Thompsontown, Juniata county, where he remained for three 
years. From this time Mr. Hicks rose steadily and rapidly in the 
company's service, each new appointment giving him a position of 
greater responsibility. In 1880 he was sent to Barree as ticket and 
freight agent, remaining there but one summer. In the autumn of 1880 he 
was made train dispatcher and agent at Orbisonia. Mr. Hicks spent the 
winter of 1883-84 in Philadelphia as telegraph operator in the main 
office of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Early in the spring he returned to 
the Middle Division and served as extra agent until June, 1884, when he 
was appointed ticket agent at Lewistown Junction, Mifflin county, Pa. 
Here he remained until February, 1890, when he exchanged offices with 
the agent at Mapleton, Huntingdon county, that he might be near his 
home in Brady township. Mr. Hicks is still at Mapleton, where he is 
ticket, freight and express agent. He is a member of the Republican 
party, and takes a lively interest in political questions. In 1894 he 
was elected a school director of Mapleton borough, and is now president 
of the school board.
  Joseph G. Hicks was married May 13, 1879, to Anna J., daughter of 
Samuel G. and Nancy (Hazlett) Simpson. Their children are: John S.; 
Josiah D.; Samuel G.; James M.; Herbert S.; Margaret E.; and Anna M., 
died June 18, 1890, aged eighteen months. Mr. Hicks is an active and 
influential member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a 
trustee. He is also an earnest worker in the Sunday-school, and has 
been superintendent of the infant department for many years. Through 
Mr. Hick's exertions, a Christian Endeavor Society has been organized, 
of which he has been president several terms.
  The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hicks were of Irish, and her 
maternal grandparents of Irish and Scotch descent. They were farmers, 
natives of Juniata valley, and belonged to one of the oldest families 
among the early settlers in the northern part of Huntingdon county. 
Mrs. Hicks' parents were natives of Huntingdon county. Her father was a 
farmer, and for five years kept a hotel in Mill Creek, Henderson 
township. At the time of his death Mr. Simpson was engaged in farming. 
He was active in township affairs, and for many years served on the 
school board. In 1853 Mr. Simpson was married to Nancy, daughter of 
James and Jane Hazlett. Their children are: Anna (Mrs. Joseph G. 
Hicks); Eloise (Mrs. W. W. Stewart), of Harrisburg, Pa.; Martha (Mrs. 
T. F. Rossiter), of Philadelphia; and Ada, died in infancy. Mr. Simpson 
died March 17, 1885, aged fifty-six. His wife resides at Mill Creek. 
She is a member of the Methodist church.