Charles W. WIcks

     Charles Wells Wicks was born in Paris Hill to Charles Chidsey and Nancy Bicknell Wicks on December 16, 1861. In 1879 he graduated from Sauquoit Academy. He came to Utica that fall where he was employed in the wholesale grocery of Head and Winston for two years. He later worked a short while at Austin Nichols and Co in New York City.

    In 1881, Charles W. Wicks started working at Roberts, Butler and Company ( a clothing company). After working in stock for two years he became a traveling salesman. When J. Milton Butler (who became head of the company after James Roberts passed away) died 1895 Mr. Wicks and his brother Russell H. took the business over and it became Roberts, Wicks and Company.  

    Charles resigned from Roberts, Wicks and Company in 1904 and went into the retail business with George H. Greenman on Franklin Square the firm was named Wicks and Greenman. In 1909 they sold it to the Talbot company of Boston.

    After selling the business Charles W. Wicks retired to a farm in Sauquoit. He farmed that farm until he sold it six years later and brought a bigger farm on the Bridgewater flats.

    Charles W. Wicks returned to Utica in the 1920's and had a fine residence constructed on Sherman Drive called "Paradise". 

    Charles W. Wicks was interested in other business interests in Utica. He was President of the Utica Spinning Company. He was a member of the Utica Chamber of Commerce (he served as president for several years) (he was instrumental in the purchase of the Home Telephone Building in Elizabeth Street for the Chamber).  He was director of the Citizens' Trust Company for many years.

    In August of 1924 Charles W. Wicks and Edwin F. Torrey formed the a firm under the name of Wicks and Torrey and sold life insurance for Mutual Life Insurance Company.

    In 1912 Charles W. Wicks was the Republican Nominee from his district for State Senator but lost. He ran again in 1914 and 1916 and was elected. During his term as senator he introduced 800 bills and the most important of them became laws. He was chairman of a special committee to investigate the milk situation in New York State. In 1923 he was nominated to be Mayor of Utica but lost. 

    During the coal strike of September 1922 Charles W. Wicks was appointed fuel administrator for Oneida County. 

    Charles W. Wicks was a member of a number of clubs and organizations such as: the Fort Schuyler Club; Faxton Lodge F. &A. M.; Yahnundasis Golf Club; and the Utica Curling Club. 

    On May 5, 1892 at Grace Episcopal Church Charles W. Wicks married Lucille Glenn. They had two sons Glenn D. (who was killed in WWI) and Roger M. 

    Charles Wells Wicks passed away at Kennebunkport, Maine on August 25, 1931. He is buried in Plot 37B Lot 4825 of Forest Hill Cemetery.





    

Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA

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