SHELBY HICKS was born in Henderson County, Ky., January 15, 1854, a son of James J. and Ann (Peed) Hicks, natives of North Carolina, and of English, descent. James J. Hicks was married in his native State, where he was engaged in farming for many years. In 1845, he removed with his wife and family to Henderson County, Ky., where some few years later he bought a farm, which was afterward cut off into Webster County, upon which he remained until 1874, when he sold out and bought a farm near Providence, where he still resides. Our subject received an excellent education at Lincoln University, in Illinois, and was employed during the summer season on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old, after which he taught and attended school until he was twenty-two years old. He then engaged as a salesman in a drug store at Providence, Ky., for one year, after which he engaged in the drug business on his own account at Cynthiana, Posey Co., Ind, for two years. For the past four or five years he has been engaged with Prof. W. S. Coleman at Providence, Ky., where they are conducting the Providence Male and Female Academy. The buildings, which are large and commodious, are situated on the top of a hill near the town, and are furnished with all modern appliances, and an excellent library. Prof. Hicks was married, December 26, 1883, to Miss Sallie C. Givens, daughter of T. K. Givens. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are members of the United Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now, and has been for several years, secretary of his lodge. He is a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 1035-1036.