San
Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM J. S. HICKOX
Prominent in business circles of
Stockton, William J. S. Hickox has made an outstanding success in the different
activities in which he has been engaged.
A native son, he was born at Castroville, Monterey County, on March 16,
1873. His parents, both native of New
York, were Frank G. and Clorinda (Sarles)
Hickox, and both are now deceased. Grandfather Jeremiah Sarles came around the
Horn to California in 1851, and Mrs. Hickox was only three years old when she
arrived in California, coming by way of the Isthmus in 1852. There were only seventeen women in Stockton
at that time and she was the first white child.
Jeremiah Sarles teamed to the southern mines in the early days and later
ran a dairy, delivering milk there in 1862. He bought the J. C. Smith ranch on the
Sacramento Road, which he later sold, and he also followed sheepraising and
mining for a time. In 1872 he ran for
sheriff of San Joaquin County, and was defeated by only one vote. Frank G. Hickox, our subject’s father, was
one of Stockton’s pioneer painting contractors, coming there in the early days
of the town and actively engaging in his trade.
William J. S. Hickox was only one
year old when his parents brought him to Stockton. He was fortunate in receiving a good
education, attending the University of California after he had completed his
work in the public schools. Returning to
Stockton after his University days, he was employed as a bookkeeper for a time
and then learned the trade of painting and became a partner with his father in
the business, continuing for himself after his father’s death. He gradually drifted in to the business house
wrecking and general contracting, and in these lines he is now engaged. He owns two lumber yards in Stockton and a
number of apartments and residences, and has been very successful in his
undertakings, due to his hard work and his progressive methods of business.
In Stockton on May 5, 1896, Mr.
Hickox was married to Miss Annie S. Smith, a native daughter of California,
born at Angels Camp, Calaveras County, and they make their home at 528 North
American Street. Mr. Hickox enters
enthusiastically into all public-spirited movements and he is especially well
known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Woodmen of the World, Red
Men, Court of Honor, Yeomen, and Royal Highlanders.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1040. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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