James B. Ricks

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James Benjamin Ricks
Ricks, c. 1903.
Justice of the Illinois State Supreme Court
In office
1901–1906
Mayor of Taylorville, Illinois
In office
1889–1891
Personal details
Born(1852-12-23)December 23, 1852
Bear Creek Township, Christian County, Illinois
DiedJune 23, 1906(1906-06-23) (aged 53)
Taylorville, Illinois
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Children6 – including Jesse
Residence(s)Taylorville, Illinois
Alma materIllinois Wesleyan University
OccupationJurist, lawyer, politician

James Benjamin Ricks (December 23, 1852 – June 23, 1906) was an American jurist, lawyer, and politician from Illinois.

Life and career[edit]

Early life and education[edit]

James Benjamin Ricks was born on December 23, 1852, in Bear Creek Township, in Christian County, Illinois, to John Bond Ricks and Dorcia B. Ricks (née Haines).[1] Ricks went to Illinois Wesleyan University 1869 to 1872 and then studied law.

Career[edit]

In 1874, Ricks was admitted to the Illinois bar. He then practiced law and was involved in the Democratic Party. Ricks was master in chancery for Christian County. From 1889 to 1891, Ricks served as mayor of Taylorville. From 1901 until his death in 1906, Ricks served on the Illinois Supreme Court, succeeding Jesse J. Phillips.[1]

Death[edit]

Ricks died of stomach cancer at his home in Taylorville, Illinois. He was 53 at the time of his death.[2][3] He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Ricks was married to Pammie Geltmacher, of Bloomington, Illinois.[1] The couple married on December 23, 1872 – Ricks' 20th birthday. The couple had six children (three of whom reached adulthood) – including Union Carbide executive Jesse J. Ricks.[1][4][5]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "James B. Ricks" (PDF). Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.
  2. ^ Illinois Supreme Court-James B. Ricks
  3. ^ 'Justice James B. Ricks Succumbs to Cancer,' Carbondale Daily Free Press (Illinois), vol. 8, no. 236, June 24, 1906
  4. ^ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  5. ^ "Obituary 1 -- No Title". The New York Times. February 21, 1944. p. 15 – via ProQuest.