The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-01-17
Col. William Jackson Hicks
Died Early Saturday Morning
As Superintendent For Twelve Years Of Oxford 0phanage Became
Widely Known-Was Prominent in the Affairs Of North
Carolina for Mere Than Fifty Years

\ y
orphanage, and previously % years
superintendent of the state peniten-
tiary, died Saturday A. M at 3 o'clock
at the orphanage in Oxford. For more
than a year Colonel Hicks had been
in feeble health. suffering from asth-
ma. Colonel Hicks and family had
prepared 10 move to Raleigh this
month. He was aged 81 years. Mrs.
DR.. C. p. Norris Of this city is a
granddaughter Of Colonel Hicks. A
sketch OF his eyentful life follows:
William jackson Hicks.
Those who have visited that noble
institution, the Oxford Asylum, and
who remember the hundreds u father
less children there provided for, will
also recall a stalwart, gray-haired
gentleman who stands in loco PARENTS
to all the juvenile throng This is
Superintendent William ]. Hicks, and
in him the little boys and girls Of
the institution find a. sympathetic
. friend and counsellor. ready at all
times 10 follow the teachings of the
great fraternity BY which the orphan
age was established, and "soothe the
unhappy 10 sympathize with their
misfortunes. to compassionate their
miseTies, and to restore peace to their
troubled minds" Few men can be
found so well qualified for this po-
sition as Colonel Hicks. whose kind
heart. bright disposition and yeas
of personal experience with hard la
Dor and the serious problems Of life
render him no stranger to the sun
shine and shadows Of the little lives
over which he exerts 10 great an in
fuence for good.
Though resident OF North Carolina
for more than a hat century, Colonel
Hicks is a native Of Virginia. having
been born in Spottsylyania county Of
that state. on the 18th day Of February
1897. The Hicks family is Of Eng
lish stock The earliest OF the name
coming to America was Peter Hicks,
who was born in England in 1720, but
IN early manhood settled In Virginia,
where his son, also named Peter. was
born. The latter, like his father, was
a farmer in Spottsylyania county. and
for a number OF years was High Sher-
III Of the county, and be served in the
revolutionary war. He attained a
great age. passing away in 1874 much
venerated In his community, whose
esteem he had enjoyed TO a remark
able degree. His son. Martin Hicks.
inherited the good viii and respect
which the community had accorded TO
his father. and throughout his life
bore an nnblemished name. He too
engaged In agriculture. and cultivate
Cd q farm in Spottsylvania, and there
when % years Of age, in the year
1873. be brought his wife. Nancy Pen
dleton, a daughter Of Robert Pendle-
ton of the same county.
But Mrs. Hicks died when their
son. William J. Hicks. the subject Of
this sketch. was only three years old,
and the loss to him Of his mothers
care was ifreparable.
Ii bis early youth he was somewhat
delicate. but as be matured he be-
came more robust, and eventually de-
yeloped INTO 4 man Of large frame and
fine proportions. becoming q splendid
specimen Of vigorous manhood. He
was taught the rudiments al home,
and when thirteen years Of age he
entered school. but bis studies were
soon interrupted BY the long-continu-
ed Illness Of his father, which led 70
bis being detained At home 70 manage
The farm: and until be wss y he con-
finued engaged al that work. About
that time his father died and then be
began life on bis own account
As hts educational advantages bad
been 10 meaeer. after becoming d
man BE- determined 70 improve him.
self. aud during the winter months
when bis work vas interrupted, b.
attended school. and addressing him.
self With resolution 70 bis studies. BE-
gained the elements Of q solid edu.
cation. Indeed be realized 50 thor
onghly tha impoTt5ncs Of remedying
his deficiency IL this respect that be
applied himself closely 10 bis books
When opportunities presented, 81
night a. vel as By day. and he often
kept % ! friend Who vas further ID
sanoed than himself until ! and 2
O'Clock IS night 10 aid him Ia BIZ
lessons Later iii life be perfected
his education By studying and con.
suiiiDg such books ~ bore on hii
special work. being aided III bis er.
beavers 81 f.iends Who were drawn
70 him b. his eaTBes,ness IN The pua
euii u knowledge
lie had from bis youth up been fond
Of mechanical works. and even il
childhood had displayed Ingenuity u
making tools and fashionlng NINA
ture Mills and such other coByiyan
ces: and 20 shortly after the death b
bis fa,beF b. forsook the farm ans
abandoned agricultural pursuits. an,
soon became engaged in quarryini
stone and IN siona-cuttIng and thu
obisined II experience that later Il
lie wa 70 b. = great value 70 him
he also became familiar with the bus
iness Of ! millUfIghi and with car
peniry. lis strong. active mind ant
solid powers and vigorous manhoo,
soDn made him proficient IN thes'
arts. and be also acquired skill a.