U. D. Hecox

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois," by J. O. Cunningham, 1905

SURNAMES: DICKSON, HECOX

U. D. HECOX was born in Lockport, N. Y., January 21, 1849, the son of Carlos Y. and Clara Shaw (DICKSON) HECOX, the former being a native of New York and the latter of Indiana. They were married in the Hoosier State and later moved to Lockport, where they remained for two years and then moved to Mahomet, Champaign County, Ill., in 1856. The father was a Methodist preacher, and an active member of the ministry until his death in April, 1894. His wife's death occurred in 1871.

The subject of this sketch obtained his early education in the public schools of Champaign County, which was supplemented by a course in a commercial college, where he received a diploma, certifying his qualifications as a bookkeeper. In this occupation he was engaged for several years. Afterwards, for eight years, he was engaged in railroading, and then conducted a lumber yard in Sidney for nineteen years. Disposing of this business in 1904, he took charge of the Farmer's Elevator, as manager. The firm deals in grain, coal, pumps, etc., the plant is new, and the elevator has a capacity of 40,000 bushels.

Mr. Hecox was married in 1883, to Lucretia WATHEN, and they have two children: Elizabeth B. and Cedric D.

In politics he is a Republican; has served as Village Tax Collector and Treasurer, and was President of the Village for two terms. Socially Mr. Hecox is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder.