One of the pioneers of Crawford County, was born near Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, December 14, 1825, a son of John Wicks, a native of Genesee, New York. The latter was a son of John Wicks, a Revolutionary soldier, and of French descent. B. F. Wicks' mother, Abigail (Hartwell) Wicks, was born in New York, a daughter of Daniel Hartwell, who was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. John and Abigail Wicks were the parents of 14 children, 8 sons and 6 daughters. John and Abigail both died in Bureau County, Illinois. The father was a millwright by trade. B. F. Wicks, the 7th of 8 brothers, was reared and educated in his native county, and in early life was engaged in surveying for a time. At the age of 22 years, he moved to Bureau County, Illinois, and was a resident of that county before the railroad was built. In 1854, he came with ox teams to western Iowa, remained at Boone, Iowa, several days, and then settled on Government land in Crawford County. Mr. Wicks erected a log cabin, 16 ft. square, and on account of Indian troubles, had to attach the barn to the house. He was elected the first County Treasurer of Crawford County, and later was a candidate for County Clerk with Thomas Dobson, but they received the same number of votes, and after casting lots, the latter won. He was County Supervisor 2 years. The Trading Post was then Council Bluffs, 75 miles distant, and there were no bridges over the streams. In 1861, B. F. Wicks returned to Bureau County, Illinois, but 8 months later came again to Crawford County. His dwelling house on the 190-acre farm in Crawford County was 16 x 24 feet, and a barn was 32 x 32 feet, with a brick basement. In 1884, he came to Deloit, where he erected a 1-½ story house, 14 x 22 feet, which was surrounded by a beautiful lawn. Mr. Wicks was married in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1853 to Christina Klock, who was born and reared in that county. Christina was the daughter of John B. and Margaret Klock (both deceased in Bureau County, Illinois) who were parents of 15 children, 8 daughters and 7 sons. Christina and B. F. Wicks had 2 children: Carrie, wife of William McKim of Decatur County, Iowa, and Anna. Mrs. McKim (Carrie) had 6 children: Roy, Edna, Bernice, Bertie, Ava, and Arthur.