The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-01-04
In THE REALMS OF REST.
DEATH 1R. b. w. HICKS.
A Good r1an and Useful Citizen Passes
to His Reward.

Mr. Benjamin Willis Hicks. an
honored and useful citizen of Gran
vile county. died at his home about
four miles this side of Oxford at
o'clock Saturday, December 30th.
The funeral was held on Sunday, 3lst,
the body being laid to rest in the old
family burial plot on the premises,
where from 1742 the mortal part OF
his paternal ancestors had found in
terment. The funeral service was
conducted by his pastor. Rev. W. c.
Whitaker, assisted by Rev. J. S.
Williams. of Henderson. There was
a large attendance, the number OF
persons who had come from far and
near to pay the last sad tribute of re-
spect to his memory, testifying eN-
pressively to the high character and
esteem in which the deceased man
was held in the community.
Mr.. Hicks had not been in good
health for many years. In 1891 he
had violent attack Of sciatica from
which he suffered much. and two
years later physicians pronounced
him a victim of Bright's disease. On
December 22nd, while riding home in
his buggy from Oxford, he was par
TALLY paralyzed and grew gradually
worse until the goth. when he became
unconscious. y somewhat singular
coincidence Is The fact that Mr..
Hicks father died in the Christmas of
1857, while he died during the Christ
mas of 1899.
A wife and seven children survive.
L. I. Hicks, the well known and sue
cessful lawyer, Of Henderson, Mrs.
James L. CoZart and Mr.. A. A. Hicks,
ex-mavOr of Oxford and member OF
the Legislature from Granville, also a
prominent member of the bar, Mr..
II. b. Hicks, eX-treasurer OF Vance
county, and two unmarried children,
a daughter and son, who lived with
him.
Mr.. Hicks was one of the most
scrupulously religious men we ever
knew. He was honorable and up
right in all his dealings, and in every
relation Of lie he was an exemplary
citizen. true man, faithful friend
and sincere Christian. He lived as
happy life perhaps as any one could
in this world, and there was much to
make him dread the separation,
although he was not afraid of death.
He loved his family and his friends
and for their sake he would have
stayed the coming Of the dread mes
senger yet a while longer. But with
humble submission he bowed to the
will of Him who doeth all things we'll,
relying implicitly upon the promises
made to the faithful followers of the
meek and lowly Nazarene, and as one
who ':wraps the drapery of his couch
about him and lies down to pleasant
dreams he went forth to meet he
summons fully prepared.
In the death of Mr.. Hicks the COM
munity in which he lived suffers a
distinct loss. He left his impress for
good and his works do live after him
10 his family and friends we offer
condoling sympathies and point them
to the heritage of good name and ex-
emplary character, and the hope Of a
happy reunion in the life to come as
a recompense for the brief separation
which they now endure.
The following brief but mcrited
tribute which was prepared and read
by request at the funeral Sunday
covers some points in the life of the
deceased additional to what we have
written and is herewith submitted:
BENJAMIN Willis Hicks, twelfth and
youngest child Of Abner Hicks and
Elizabeth Harris Hicks his wife, and last
survivor of that family, was born at
RedGarden, four miles East of Oxford,
in Granville county, North Carolina, on
the 18th day OF October in the year OF
our Lord 1928, and departed this life on
on the 3Oth day OF December, 1899. He
spent his entire life, except four years in
Virginia in the Military Service of the
Southern Confederacy, and died and his
mortal body will to-day be buried, at
the place where he Was born, by the side
of he remains of his fat her and grand
father, who, with him, by the grace of
God have owned and dwet upon this
homestead, purchased by his grand
ather from the Earl of Granvlle,) more
than one hundred and tifty-spven wears.
He was married to Isabella Jane Crews,
daughter of a near neghbor and distant
relation, in the month of October, 1854
For more than 10 years they were u
help meet for each other. She. with
seven children, issue of said marriage,
survives.
He was faithful Christian and loyal
supporter Of the church (the Methodist
Protestant,) throughout his entire life.
He prayed with his family twice daily
q nd OF in hiS l.in