My Genealogy Hound

Henry C. Hickcox, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Burris Fork Township, was born on the 31st of October, 1819, in Cooper County, Mo., being the second of five children born to the marriage of Benjamin F. Hickcox and Aristum Pixley, who were born in the “Bay State” and Connecticut, respectively. Both moved to New York State with their parents in their youth, and were there reared to maturity and married, the latter event taking place March 29, 1817. They immediately started for Missouri, and spent the winter of 1817-18 in St. Charles. In the spring of the latter year they moved to Boonville, when there were but two stores in the place, and settled on and began improving a farm of 200 acres, and here the father resided until his death in 1860, with the exception of several visits made to his old home in York State. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served with distinction through several campaigns. His wife died in August, 1876. Henry C. Hickcox remained on his father’s farm until sixteen years of age; then he and his brother, Frank W., came to what is Burris Fork Township, Moniteau County, and bought the claim entered by Edmond Hayes, the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 44, Range 15. On this farm he is now residing, and has added to the original purchase until he is now the owner of about 900 acres of excellent land. In 1841 his brother married and moved to High Point, where they had bought a farm in partnership, and here lived until 1867. He was quite active in politics, and represented his county in the State Legislature for several terms. In March, 1849, our subject was married to Miss Mary M. DeFoe, a native of St. Louis County, and a daughter of John and Matilda C. (Rothwel) DeFoe, natives of Virginia, who came to St. Louis County at an early day, and to Moniteau County in 1841. Mr. Hickcox has made many valuable improvements on his property, and in 1871 erected a handsome residence. In 1846 he was elected justice of the peace (and with the exception of four years has held the position ever since), and in August of the same year had his first case—Jacob G. Doyly vs. William C. Francis. He has been an extensive stock-dealer, and owned the first Short-Horn bull in the county. His first-presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and since that time he has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. In 1876 he took an extensive trip East, visiting Chicago, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Utica, New York and Philadelphia, to the Centennial Exposition. He remained in the latter place about a week, then went to Washington, D. C., then through Virginia to Baltimore, Md., Harrisburg, Pa., Columbus, Ohio, thence directly home, being gone over a month. In 1872 his wife died, having borne a family of seven children, three of whom are living: John, who married Mary Hart, and is living at home; Emma, wife of Walter J. Campbell; and Charley, at home.