John Hicks, farmer in the Tenth District of Dyer County, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., March 28, 1836, and was one of eight children born to Absalom and Mary Hicks. His father was born in North Carolina about 1811, married there and soon afterward moved to Tennessee locating in Henderson County, and then moved to Gibson County, where he died in 1850. He was a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Hick's mother was born in North Carolina, and was a few years older than her husband, and is still living with her son, W. P. Hicks, at Finley, Dyer County. Our subject was educated in Gibson County. October 1, 1859, he married Miss T. C., daughter of A. C. Anderson. Mrs. Hicks was born in Middle Tennessee, August 12, 1839, and they have eight children: Etta, wife of E. E. Rawls; Ella, wife of A. E. Herd; John, James, Annie B., Ezra, Maud and Montazuma. In 1857 Mr. Hicks located near Friendship, Tenn., in the part of Dyer County known as "Rich Wood", and remained there until 1875, when he moved to his present home, and for five years engaged in merchandising. He is now engaged in farming and has 300 acres of valuable land. In 1885 he was elected to the position of magistrate. He is a Democrat, and first voted for Mr. Filmore. In 1861 he enlisted in Col. Wadkin's company, and soon after was transferred to Capt. George Miller's Company C, Forty-seventh Tennessee Infantry; was at Shiloh when Capt. Miller was wounded and carried off the field by Mr. Hicks. His wife and himself are members of the Christian Church. He is an enterprising man, active in any work to promote the good of his county, and has given his children fine educational advantages.