William E. Hicks obituary:
The title of the obituary is misleading. He was only 39 years old.
The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota
Friday, July 24, 1874, page 4, col. 2.
AN OLD RESIDENT GONE.
DEATH OF HON. WM. E. HICKS.
In is our painful duty to announce the death of Hon. William E. Hicks, at his home in this village on the evening of Friday the 17th inst., after a long and painful illness. He fell to that destroyer of many of the human race, consumption. Fell in the prime of manhood.
Mr. Hicks was born in New York March 26th, 1835. From very early in life he had been engaged in active business operations in Wall street, New York city.
From 1857 to 1862 he was financial Editor of the New York Evening Post. He left this position and traveled through Europe and the Holy Land. After returning to this country he resumed business in New York, and continued for about two years, when compelled to seek rest and change.
In the summer of 1866 Mr. Hicks, in search of health and recreation, came to Minnesota. After a stay of some duration in St. Paul and Minneapolis, hearing of the fine country up about the heard waters of the "Red River of the North," he came up to this place, then one of the stage stations on the route between St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie. Here for a time he tarried with his family, enjoying the fine sporting which the lakes and forests about hear furnished. His health rapidly improved, and this fact determined him to remain for a time.
With improving health he soon grew weary without a business, and was soon induced to become interested in building a steam saw mill, of which the country was greatly in need. This enterprise had not progressed far when learning that the town site was for sale he at once purchased it, and ere the spring of 1867 opened had, in addition to building his mill, built a store and stocked it with goods.
The county was at that time sparsely settled, containing probably 600 souls, but Mr. Hicks saw, as with prophetic vision, the thousands who would soon flock hither in search of homes, and hesitated not to invest money in the purchase of timber lands from the Government, from which lands to obtain the material to run his mill. Lumber for the erection of houses was thus readily obtained and the settlement of the county facilitated. Mindful also of the immediate wants of the settlers who had commenced farming operations, and could only get their seed grain by the long and toilsome journey to the German settlements about St. Cloud, he purchased and brought into his embryo town, grain, and dealt it out with a liberal hand to those in need of it. Many a needy frontier farmer in the spring of 1867 had reason to bless the provident foresight and generous liberality of the one of whom we are now called to say a parting word.
A large and commodious hotel and a suitable building for county offices was next deemed necessary by this tireless, energetic man who was so confident of the future of the county, and ere the midsummer of 1867 they were finished and ready for occupancy.
Thus encouraged, building in the village went rapidly on, and ere fall the beautiful town site of Alexandria was dotted with houses, and hundreds of emigrants and settlers thronged the county.
In the summer of 1868 the population of this county, and adjoining counties of north and west, had largely increased, and with the nearest flouring mill at a distance of thirty miles southeast of this, the serious question was, who has the capital and energy in this northwestern county to build one, for it will be borne in mind that the Northern Pacific Railroad was then but a wild scheme, which the present generation could hardly hope to see realized, and the country through which it run literally a howling wilderness.
Again Mr. Hicks came forward, built the indispensable mill, and with the celerity that astounded his friends. The village and country grew rapidly, and Alexandria became the busy, active frontier town of the northwestern part of the State, and Mr. Hicks soon saw his vision of the growth and prosperity of this part of the State realized.
In the fall of this year he was elected to the Legislature from this district - then embracing all to the North of us, and to the Eastern boundary of the State. He served his constituents with faithfulness and ability, and was mainly instrumental in securing the location of the U. S. Land Office at this place.
In 1872 he was one of the delegates to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, which re-nominated President Grant.
Mr. Hicks' health has been failing for a year or two past. A year ago he began to think of a change of climate. Began gradually to close up business, with that view, but it was not until mid winter that he was able to shape things so as to leave. From then until about the first of May he spent in the city of New York, and it was not until he last mentioned date, on his return to St. Paul, that his family and friends became aware how much he had failed in health, and how much progress disease had made upon him in the period of his absence. On reaching St. Paul he placed himself under the care of Dr. Hand, and telegraphed for his wife and eldest daughter to come to him. His purpose was, as soon as able to travel, to go to Colorado. But it was evidence to his physician and friends that it was then too late to be benefited by a change of climate.
About the first of June, acting upon the advice of his medical attendant, and in accordance with the desires of his family and friends, he reluctantly abandoned the plan of seeking restoration, or at least alleviation, by visit to Colorado, and came home. He reached here in an exhausted condition, and can hardly be said to have rallied since,--though there were a few days in which he seemed to be stronger and better, but it was but the flattery with which consumption so often inspires hope in its victims, only to be dashed again.
He went through, during the first two or three weeks after his return, a struggle with the inevitable,--the fact of constant suffering and the near approach of death. He had been religiously educated. The training of a Christian mother had never lost its influence upon him, and week ago he revealed his state of mind to his Pastor, Mr. Norton, and expressed his fixed determination, whether he lived or died, to be a Christian, and his hope of forgiveness and salvation through the gospel, which he ever had firmly believed. His mind wandered much under the influence of disease and the medicines necessary to quiet him, but in his hours of unclouded reason he after this expressed to his Pastor a trembling but seemingly growing hope in the love of God through Christ.
That he had in some things greatly erred from a right life he was deeply conscious.
Mr. Hicks was a man of most generous native impulses and large social nature, large business experience and capacity, a
[col. 3]
mind cultured by reading, by mingling with refined society, and by travel.
His funeral on Sabbath afternoon, the 19th, was attended by the largest congregation ever gathered in the county for such an occasion. The Masonic Fraternity attended in a body, a very large delegation being present from the Sauk Centre Lodge. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Norton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hilton, at the church. At the grave by the Masonic Fraternity, with the ritual and ceremonies of that Order. The services throughout were appropriate and impressive.
Such is life in its uncertainty and brevity, and such is death in its uncertain hour but certain coming.
---------------------
At a regular communication of Constellation Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Alexandria, held on Wednesday evening last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to remove from our midst our esteemed friend and Brother, William E. Hicks, therefore it is
Resolved, That we deeply feel our loss, and sincerely mourn for him, yet our grief is tempered by the knowledge that his departure from among us was ordered by Him who doeth all things well.
Resolved, That in the death of Bro W. E. Hicks, this Lodge has lost an efficient member, society a good citizen, and his family an affectionate husband and loving father.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in this their affliction and loss, but can only recommend them for consolation to Him who said: "Come unto me all ye that are weary and ye shall find rest."
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the Secretary's books, and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
W. E. Hicks
[Source: St. Cloud Democrat (MN) July 30, 1874] tr. by mkk
SAUK CENTER, MINN., July 22, 1874.
A dispatch was received here on the 18th inst. (Saturday) announcing the death of the Hon. W. E. Hicks, of Alexandria, and requesting the attendance of the Masons of this place
AT THE FUNERAL
on the following day (Sunday) to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., it having been an especial request of Mr. Hicks' that his funeral services should be conducted by his brother Masons. Some twenty-four of the order went from here to join the lodge at Alexandria, making in all about sixty members in attendance to perform the last sad and solemn rites of a departed brother, which was performed by E. P. Barnum, of this place as Worshipful. The services were very impressive.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE
were assembled at the grave. Mr Hicks was a very energetic man and a good citizen, and his place in Alexandria will be difficult to fill.
The title of the obituary is misleading. He was only 39 years old.
The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota
Friday, July 24, 1874, page 4, col. 2.
AN OLD RESIDENT GONE.
DEATH OF HON. WM. E. HICKS.
In is our painful duty to announce the death of Hon. William E. Hicks, at his home in this village on the evening of Friday the 17th inst., after a long and painful illness. He fell to that destroyer of many of the human race, consumption. Fell in the prime of manhood.
Mr. Hicks was born in New York March 26th, 1835. From very early in life he had been engaged in active business operations in Wall street, New York city.
From 1857 to 1862 he was financial Editor of the New York Evening Post. He left this position and traveled through Europe and the Holy Land. After returning to this country he resumed business in New York, and continued for about two years, when compelled to seek rest and change.
In the summer of 1866 Mr. Hicks, in search of health and recreation, came to Minnesota. After a stay of some duration in St. Paul and Minneapolis, hearing of the fine country up about the heard waters of the "Red River of the North," he came up to this place, then one of the stage stations on the route between St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie. Here for a time he tarried with his family, enjoying the fine sporting which the lakes and forests about hear furnished. His health rapidly improved, and this fact determined him to remain for a time.
With improving health he soon grew weary without a business, and was soon induced to become interested in building a steam saw mill, of which the country was greatly in need. This enterprise had not progressed far when learning that the town site was for sale he at once purchased it, and ere the spring of 1867 opened had, in addition to building his mill, built a store and stocked it with goods.
The county was at that time sparsely settled, containing probably 600 souls, but Mr. Hicks saw, as with prophetic vision, the thousands who would soon flock hither in search of homes, and hesitated not to invest money in the purchase of timber lands from the Government, from which lands to obtain the material to run his mill. Lumber for the erection of houses was thus readily obtained and the settlement of the county facilitated. Mindful also of the immediate wants of the settlers who had commenced farming operations, and could only get their seed grain by the long and toilsome journey to the German settlements about St. Cloud, he purchased and brought into his embryo town, grain, and dealt it out with a liberal hand to those in need of it. Many a needy frontier farmer in the spring of 1867 had reason to bless the provident foresight and generous liberality of the one of whom we are now called to say a parting word.
A large and commodious hotel and a suitable building for county offices was next deemed necessary by this tireless, energetic man who was so confident of the future of the county, and ere the midsummer of 1867 they were finished and ready for occupancy.
Thus encouraged, building in the village went rapidly on, and ere fall the beautiful town site of Alexandria was dotted with houses, and hundreds of emigrants and settlers thronged the county.
In the summer of 1868 the population of this county, and adjoining counties of north and west, had largely increased, and with the nearest flouring mill at a distance of thirty miles southeast of this, the serious question was, who has the capital and energy in this northwestern county to build one, for it will be borne in mind that the Northern Pacific Railroad was then but a wild scheme, which the present generation could hardly hope to see realized, and the country through which it run literally a howling wilderness.
Again Mr. Hicks came forward, built the indispensable mill, and with the celerity that astounded his friends. The village and country grew rapidly, and Alexandria became the busy, active frontier town of the northwestern part of the State, and Mr. Hicks soon saw his vision of the growth and prosperity of this part of the State realized.
In the fall of this year he was elected to the Legislature from this district - then embracing all to the North of us, and to the Eastern boundary of the State. He served his constituents with faithfulness and ability, and was mainly instrumental in securing the location of the U. S. Land Office at this place.
In 1872 he was one of the delegates to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, which re-nominated President Grant.
Mr. Hicks' health has been failing for a year or two past. A year ago he began to think of a change of climate. Began gradually to close up business, with that view, but it was not until mid winter that he was able to shape things so as to leave. From then until about the first of May he spent in the city of New York, and it was not until he last mentioned date, on his return to St. Paul, that his family and friends became aware how much he had failed in health, and how much progress disease had made upon him in the period of his absence. On reaching St. Paul he placed himself under the care of Dr. Hand, and telegraphed for his wife and eldest daughter to come to him. His purpose was, as soon as able to travel, to go to Colorado. But it was evidence to his physician and friends that it was then too late to be benefited by a change of climate.
About the first of June, acting upon the advice of his medical attendant, and in accordance with the desires of his family and friends, he reluctantly abandoned the plan of seeking restoration, or at least alleviation, by visit to Colorado, and came home. He reached here in an exhausted condition, and can hardly be said to have rallied since,--though there were a few days in which he seemed to be stronger and better, but it was but the flattery with which consumption so often inspires hope in its victims, only to be dashed again.
He went through, during the first two or three weeks after his return, a struggle with the inevitable,--the fact of constant suffering and the near approach of death. He had been religiously educated. The training of a Christian mother had never lost its influence upon him, and week ago he revealed his state of mind to his Pastor, Mr. Norton, and expressed his fixed determination, whether he lived or died, to be a Christian, and his hope of forgiveness and salvation through the gospel, which he ever had firmly believed. His mind wandered much under the influence of disease and the medicines necessary to quiet him, but in his hours of unclouded reason he after this expressed to his Pastor a trembling but seemingly growing hope in the love of God through Christ.
That he had in some things greatly erred from a right life he was deeply conscious.
Mr. Hicks was a man of most generous native impulses and large social nature, large business experience and capacity, a
[col. 3]
mind cultured by reading, by mingling with refined society, and by travel.
His funeral on Sabbath afternoon, the 19th, was attended by the largest congregation ever gathered in the county for such an occasion. The Masonic Fraternity attended in a body, a very large delegation being present from the Sauk Centre Lodge. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Norton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hilton, at the church. At the grave by the Masonic Fraternity, with the ritual and ceremonies of that Order. The services throughout were appropriate and impressive.
Such is life in its uncertainty and brevity, and such is death in its uncertain hour but certain coming.
---------------------
At a regular communication of Constellation Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Alexandria, held on Wednesday evening last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to remove from our midst our esteemed friend and Brother, William E. Hicks, therefore it is
Resolved, That we deeply feel our loss, and sincerely mourn for him, yet our grief is tempered by the knowledge that his departure from among us was ordered by Him who doeth all things well.
Resolved, That in the death of Bro W. E. Hicks, this Lodge has lost an efficient member, society a good citizen, and his family an affectionate husband and loving father.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in this their affliction and loss, but can only recommend them for consolation to Him who said: "Come unto me all ye that are weary and ye shall find rest."
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the Secretary's books, and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
W. E. Hicks
[Source: St. Cloud Democrat (MN) July 30, 1874] tr. by mkk
SAUK CENTER, MINN., July 22, 1874.
A dispatch was received here on the 18th inst. (Saturday) announcing the death of the Hon. W. E. Hicks, of Alexandria, and requesting the attendance of the Masons of this place
AT THE FUNERAL
on the following day (Sunday) to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., it having been an especial request of Mr. Hicks' that his funeral services should be conducted by his brother Masons. Some twenty-four of the order went from here to join the lodge at Alexandria, making in all about sixty members in attendance to perform the last sad and solemn rites of a departed brother, which was performed by E. P. Barnum, of this place as Worshipful. The services were very impressive.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE
were assembled at the grave. Mr Hicks was a very energetic man and a good citizen, and his place in Alexandria will be difficult to fill.
William E. Hicks obituary:
The title of the obituary is misleading. He was only 39 years old.
The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota
Friday, July 24, 1874, page 4, col. 2.
AN OLD RESIDENT GONE.
DEATH OF HON. WM. E. HICKS.
In is our painful duty to announce the death of Hon. William E. Hicks, at his home in this village on the evening of Friday the 17th inst., after a long and painful illness. He fell to that destroyer of many of the human race, consumption. Fell in the prime of manhood.
Mr. Hicks was born in New York March 26th, 1835. From very early in life he had been engaged in active business operations in Wall street, New York city.
From 1857 to 1862 he was financial Editor of the New York Evening Post. He left this position and traveled through Europe and the Holy Land. After returning to this country he resumed business in New York, and continued for about two years, when compelled to seek rest and change.
In the summer of 1866 Mr. Hicks, in search of health and recreation, came to Minnesota. After a stay of some duration in St. Paul and Minneapolis, hearing of the fine country up about the heard waters of the "Red River of the North," he came up to this place, then one of the stage stations on the route between St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie. Here for a time he tarried with his family, enjoying the fine sporting which the lakes and forests about hear furnished. His health rapidly improved, and this fact determined him to remain for a time.
With improving health he soon grew weary without a business, and was soon induced to become interested in building a steam saw mill, of which the country was greatly in need. This enterprise had not progressed far when learning that the town site was for sale he at once purchased it, and ere the spring of 1867 opened had, in addition to building his mill, built a store and stocked it with goods.
The county was at that time sparsely settled, containing probably 600 souls, but Mr. Hicks saw, as with prophetic vision, the thousands who would soon flock hither in search of homes, and hesitated not to invest money in the purchase of timber lands from the Government, from which lands to obtain the material to run his mill. Lumber for the erection of houses was thus readily obtained and the settlement of the county facilitated. Mindful also of the immediate wants of the settlers who had commenced farming operations, and could only get their seed grain by the long and toilsome journey to the German settlements about St. Cloud, he purchased and brought into his embryo town, grain, and dealt it out with a liberal hand to those in need of it. Many a needy frontier farmer in the spring of 1867 had reason to bless the provident foresight and generous liberality of the one of whom we are now called to say a parting word.
A large and commodious hotel and a suitable building for county offices was next deemed necessary by this tireless, energetic man who was so confident of the future of the county, and ere the midsummer of 1867 they were finished and ready for occupancy.
Thus encouraged, building in the village went rapidly on, and ere fall the beautiful town site of Alexandria was dotted with houses, and hundreds of emigrants and settlers thronged the county.
In the summer of 1868 the population of this county, and adjoining counties of north and west, had largely increased, and with the nearest flouring mill at a distance of thirty miles southeast of this, the serious question was, who has the capital and energy in this northwestern county to build one, for it will be borne in mind that the Northern Pacific Railroad was then but a wild scheme, which the present generation could hardly hope to see realized, and the country through which it run literally a howling wilderness.
Again Mr. Hicks came forward, built the indispensable mill, and with the celerity that astounded his friends. The village and country grew rapidly, and Alexandria became the busy, active frontier town of the northwestern part of the State, and Mr. Hicks soon saw his vision of the growth and prosperity of this part of the State realized.
In the fall of this year he was elected to the Legislature from this district - then embracing all to the North of us, and to the Eastern boundary of the State. He served his constituents with faithfulness and ability, and was mainly instrumental in securing the location of the U. S. Land Office at this place.
In 1872 he was one of the delegates to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, which re-nominated President Grant.
Mr. Hicks' health has been failing for a year or two past. A year ago he began to think of a change of climate. Began gradually to close up business, with that view, but it was not until mid winter that he was able to shape things so as to leave. From then until about the first of May he spent in the city of New York, and it was not until he last mentioned date, on his return to St. Paul, that his family and friends became aware how much he had failed in health, and how much progress disease had made upon him in the period of his absence. On reaching St. Paul he placed himself under the care of Dr. Hand, and telegraphed for his wife and eldest daughter to come to him. His purpose was, as soon as able to travel, to go to Colorado. But it was evidence to his physician and friends that it was then too late to be benefited by a change of climate.
About the first of June, acting upon the advice of his medical attendant, and in accordance with the desires of his family and friends, he reluctantly abandoned the plan of seeking restoration, or at least alleviation, by visit to Colorado, and came home. He reached here in an exhausted condition, and can hardly be said to have rallied since,--though there were a few days in which he seemed to be stronger and better, but it was but the flattery with which consumption so often inspires hope in its victims, only to be dashed again.
He went through, during the first two or three weeks after his return, a struggle with the inevitable,--the fact of constant suffering and the near approach of death. He had been religiously educated. The training of a Christian mother had never lost its influence upon him, and week ago he revealed his state of mind to his Pastor, Mr. Norton, and expressed his fixed determination, whether he lived or died, to be a Christian, and his hope of forgiveness and salvation through the gospel, which he ever had firmly believed. His mind wandered much under the influence of disease and the medicines necessary to quiet him, but in his hours of unclouded reason he after this expressed to his Pastor a trembling but seemingly growing hope in the love of God through Christ.
That he had in some things greatly erred from a right life he was deeply conscious.
Mr. Hicks was a man of most generous native impulses and large social nature, large business experience and capacity, a
[col. 3]
mind cultured by reading, by mingling with refined society, and by travel.
His funeral on Sabbath afternoon, the 19th, was attended by the largest congregation ever gathered in the county for such an occasion. The Masonic Fraternity attended in a body, a very large delegation being present from the Sauk Centre Lodge. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Norton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hilton, at the church. At the grave by the Masonic Fraternity, with the ritual and ceremonies of that Order. The services throughout were appropriate and impressive.
Such is life in its uncertainty and brevity, and such is death in its uncertain hour but certain coming.
---------------------
At a regular communication of Constellation Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Alexandria, held on Wednesday evening last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to remove from our midst our esteemed friend and Brother, William E. Hicks, therefore it is
Resolved, That we deeply feel our loss, and sincerely mourn for him, yet our grief is tempered by the knowledge that his departure from among us was ordered by Him who doeth all things well.
Resolved, That in the death of Bro W. E. Hicks, this Lodge has lost an efficient member, society a good citizen, and his family an affectionate husband and loving father.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in this their affliction and loss, but can only recommend them for consolation to Him who said: "Come unto me all ye that are weary and ye shall find rest."
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the Secretary's books, and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
W. E. Hicks
[Source: St. Cloud Democrat (MN) July 30, 1874] tr. by mkk
SAUK CENTER, MINN., July 22, 1874.
A dispatch was received here on the 18th inst. (Saturday) announcing the death of the Hon. W. E. Hicks, of Alexandria, and requesting the attendance of the Masons of this place
AT THE FUNERAL
on the following day (Sunday) to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., it having been an especial request of Mr. Hicks' that his funeral services should be conducted by his brother Masons. Some twenty-four of the order went from here to join the lodge at Alexandria, making in all about sixty members in attendance to perform the last sad and solemn rites of a departed brother, which was performed by E. P. Barnum, of this place as Worshipful. The services were very impressive.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE
were assembled at the grave. Mr Hicks was a very energetic man and a good citizen, and his place in Alexandria will be difficult to fill.
The title of the obituary is misleading. He was only 39 years old.
The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota
Friday, July 24, 1874, page 4, col. 2.
AN OLD RESIDENT GONE.
DEATH OF HON. WM. E. HICKS.
In is our painful duty to announce the death of Hon. William E. Hicks, at his home in this village on the evening of Friday the 17th inst., after a long and painful illness. He fell to that destroyer of many of the human race, consumption. Fell in the prime of manhood.
Mr. Hicks was born in New York March 26th, 1835. From very early in life he had been engaged in active business operations in Wall street, New York city.
From 1857 to 1862 he was financial Editor of the New York Evening Post. He left this position and traveled through Europe and the Holy Land. After returning to this country he resumed business in New York, and continued for about two years, when compelled to seek rest and change.
In the summer of 1866 Mr. Hicks, in search of health and recreation, came to Minnesota. After a stay of some duration in St. Paul and Minneapolis, hearing of the fine country up about the heard waters of the "Red River of the North," he came up to this place, then one of the stage stations on the route between St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie. Here for a time he tarried with his family, enjoying the fine sporting which the lakes and forests about hear furnished. His health rapidly improved, and this fact determined him to remain for a time.
With improving health he soon grew weary without a business, and was soon induced to become interested in building a steam saw mill, of which the country was greatly in need. This enterprise had not progressed far when learning that the town site was for sale he at once purchased it, and ere the spring of 1867 opened had, in addition to building his mill, built a store and stocked it with goods.
The county was at that time sparsely settled, containing probably 600 souls, but Mr. Hicks saw, as with prophetic vision, the thousands who would soon flock hither in search of homes, and hesitated not to invest money in the purchase of timber lands from the Government, from which lands to obtain the material to run his mill. Lumber for the erection of houses was thus readily obtained and the settlement of the county facilitated. Mindful also of the immediate wants of the settlers who had commenced farming operations, and could only get their seed grain by the long and toilsome journey to the German settlements about St. Cloud, he purchased and brought into his embryo town, grain, and dealt it out with a liberal hand to those in need of it. Many a needy frontier farmer in the spring of 1867 had reason to bless the provident foresight and generous liberality of the one of whom we are now called to say a parting word.
A large and commodious hotel and a suitable building for county offices was next deemed necessary by this tireless, energetic man who was so confident of the future of the county, and ere the midsummer of 1867 they were finished and ready for occupancy.
Thus encouraged, building in the village went rapidly on, and ere fall the beautiful town site of Alexandria was dotted with houses, and hundreds of emigrants and settlers thronged the county.
In the summer of 1868 the population of this county, and adjoining counties of north and west, had largely increased, and with the nearest flouring mill at a distance of thirty miles southeast of this, the serious question was, who has the capital and energy in this northwestern county to build one, for it will be borne in mind that the Northern Pacific Railroad was then but a wild scheme, which the present generation could hardly hope to see realized, and the country through which it run literally a howling wilderness.
Again Mr. Hicks came forward, built the indispensable mill, and with the celerity that astounded his friends. The village and country grew rapidly, and Alexandria became the busy, active frontier town of the northwestern part of the State, and Mr. Hicks soon saw his vision of the growth and prosperity of this part of the State realized.
In the fall of this year he was elected to the Legislature from this district - then embracing all to the North of us, and to the Eastern boundary of the State. He served his constituents with faithfulness and ability, and was mainly instrumental in securing the location of the U. S. Land Office at this place.
In 1872 he was one of the delegates to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, which re-nominated President Grant.
Mr. Hicks' health has been failing for a year or two past. A year ago he began to think of a change of climate. Began gradually to close up business, with that view, but it was not until mid winter that he was able to shape things so as to leave. From then until about the first of May he spent in the city of New York, and it was not until he last mentioned date, on his return to St. Paul, that his family and friends became aware how much he had failed in health, and how much progress disease had made upon him in the period of his absence. On reaching St. Paul he placed himself under the care of Dr. Hand, and telegraphed for his wife and eldest daughter to come to him. His purpose was, as soon as able to travel, to go to Colorado. But it was evidence to his physician and friends that it was then too late to be benefited by a change of climate.
About the first of June, acting upon the advice of his medical attendant, and in accordance with the desires of his family and friends, he reluctantly abandoned the plan of seeking restoration, or at least alleviation, by visit to Colorado, and came home. He reached here in an exhausted condition, and can hardly be said to have rallied since,--though there were a few days in which he seemed to be stronger and better, but it was but the flattery with which consumption so often inspires hope in its victims, only to be dashed again.
He went through, during the first two or three weeks after his return, a struggle with the inevitable,--the fact of constant suffering and the near approach of death. He had been religiously educated. The training of a Christian mother had never lost its influence upon him, and week ago he revealed his state of mind to his Pastor, Mr. Norton, and expressed his fixed determination, whether he lived or died, to be a Christian, and his hope of forgiveness and salvation through the gospel, which he ever had firmly believed. His mind wandered much under the influence of disease and the medicines necessary to quiet him, but in his hours of unclouded reason he after this expressed to his Pastor a trembling but seemingly growing hope in the love of God through Christ.
That he had in some things greatly erred from a right life he was deeply conscious.
Mr. Hicks was a man of most generous native impulses and large social nature, large business experience and capacity, a
[col. 3]
mind cultured by reading, by mingling with refined society, and by travel.
His funeral on Sabbath afternoon, the 19th, was attended by the largest congregation ever gathered in the county for such an occasion. The Masonic Fraternity attended in a body, a very large delegation being present from the Sauk Centre Lodge. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Norton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hilton, at the church. At the grave by the Masonic Fraternity, with the ritual and ceremonies of that Order. The services throughout were appropriate and impressive.
Such is life in its uncertainty and brevity, and such is death in its uncertain hour but certain coming.
---------------------
At a regular communication of Constellation Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of Alexandria, held on Wednesday evening last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, to remove from our midst our esteemed friend and Brother, William E. Hicks, therefore it is
Resolved, That we deeply feel our loss, and sincerely mourn for him, yet our grief is tempered by the knowledge that his departure from among us was ordered by Him who doeth all things well.
Resolved, That in the death of Bro W. E. Hicks, this Lodge has lost an efficient member, society a good citizen, and his family an affectionate husband and loving father.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in this their affliction and loss, but can only recommend them for consolation to Him who said: "Come unto me all ye that are weary and ye shall find rest."
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the Secretary's books, and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
W. E. Hicks
[Source: St. Cloud Democrat (MN) July 30, 1874] tr. by mkk
SAUK CENTER, MINN., July 22, 1874.
A dispatch was received here on the 18th inst. (Saturday) announcing the death of the Hon. W. E. Hicks, of Alexandria, and requesting the attendance of the Masons of this place
AT THE FUNERAL
on the following day (Sunday) to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., it having been an especial request of Mr. Hicks' that his funeral services should be conducted by his brother Masons. Some twenty-four of the order went from here to join the lodge at Alexandria, making in all about sixty members in attendance to perform the last sad and solemn rites of a departed brother, which was performed by E. P. Barnum, of this place as Worshipful. The services were very impressive.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE
were assembled at the grave. Mr Hicks was a very energetic man and a good citizen, and his place in Alexandria will be difficult to fill.
Family Members
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