E. Russell Hicks
E. Russell Hicks, 74, widely known local teacher, historian and columnist, died on February 27, 1966, at Washington County Hospital.
Mr. Hicks, who lived at 343 Central Avenue, taught school in Washington County for more than 50 years. Twenty-five of those years were spent as a teacher at South Potomac Junior High School.
He had been hospitalized with a heart ailment for about two weeks prior to his death.
In 1956 he received the distinguished service award from the History Teachers’ Association of Maryland. He was one of only four persons to ever receive the award in the 75-year history of the organization.
Mr. Hicks was educated at Blue Ridge College, Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland.
A prominent lay leader of the Church of the Brethren, he alternated teaching duties for the men’s Sunday school classes there and at Zion United Church of Christ.
A veteran of World War I, he served with the 79th division in the medical corps in the European Theater during the Meuse-Argonne drive.
Active in a number of civic organizations, Mr. Hicks helped organize the Montsarada Grange and was one of the founders of the Hagerstown Civil War Roundtable. He was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Torch Club, Lions Club, Washington County Historical Society and the Maryland and American Historical Societies.
Mr. Hicks also wrote a column “Our County Heritage” for The Herald Mail.
He was born on February 15, 1892 at Hicksville near Broadfording, the son of Rev Cadmus M. and Mary Dennis Hicks. He spent his entire life in Washington County.
He was buried in the family plot at the Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Broadfording.
“In Retrospect” is courtesy of the Maryland Cracker Barrel magazine, the “Sentinel of Washington County’s Heritage.” Since June 1971, the quarterly publication has focused on local history and may be purchased at any of the more than 30 sites in Maryland and Pennsylvania or by subscription. Subscriptions ($17 annually) may be obtained by calling 301-582-3885 or writing to: Maryland Cracker Barrel, 7749 Fairplay Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713. (MDCB file photo)
