retirement in the enjoyment of well earned ease, his capital being sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.                                       _______________                                      JOHN R. GICKER     John R. Gicker, county clerk of Pike county, who since 1898 has filled the position to which he was elected as a democratic candidate, is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the town of Dodenau, Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 9th of February, 1855. His parents were John and Catherine (Klein) Gicker. The father was engaged in blacksmithing in Germany and died in his native land many years ago, passing away in 1868, at the age of sixty- eight. The mother's death occurred when she was sixty-six years of age. One son, John Gicker, is a farmer residing in Adams county, Illinois, and a daughter, Mrs. Kathrine Muller, is living in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.     John R. Gicker when a youth of sixteen years came alone to the new world. He has previously learned the shoemaker's trade, and in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, he spent about a year, after which he came to Pike county, Illinois, in August, 1872. As a representative of the shoe trade in Pittsfield, he entered the employ of A. Sittler, with whom he remained for two years, when he secured a position with Joseph Hunter, again working at the shoemaker's trade. When four years had passed he engaged in business on his own account and was alone for a period of four years, after which he accepted a clerkship in the employ of F. W. Neibur, of Pittsfield, until elected to the office of county clerk. He had previously served as town clerk for a period of seven years and his capability and fidelity in that office led to his selection for the superior office, in which he is now serving. He was chosen county clerk by popular suffrage in 1898, and on the expiration of a four years' term was re-elected so that his present incumbency will continue until 1906.     Mr. Gicker was married in Pittsfield to Miss Anna R. Heck, of this city, a daughter of Joseph Heck, a resident of Pike county for many years, but now deceased. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gicker have two sons both born in Pittsfield: Julius R., now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; and Otto D., deputy county clerk of Pittsfield. They have a pleasant home about a block and a half west of the public square in Pittsfield and occupy an enviable position in the social circles of this city.     Mr. Gicker is a valuable representative of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Pike County Mutual Life Association, of which he is a director. His political affiliation has always been with the democracy; and he is a member of the Methodist church. His is not an exceptional career, and yet it is one worthy of commendation, from the fact that he came to America when young and empty-handed, and through the utilization of opportunities, through close application and earnest purpose he has worked his way upward, enjoying the confidence and good will of his fellowmen as is evidenced by his long continuance in public office.                                     _______________                                         JOB DIXON         Job Dixon, now seventy-eight years of age, is the owner of a splendidly improved farm on section 6, Perry township. He started out in life on his own account when but twelve years of age and has since worked his way upward. He has overcome difficulties and obstacles and in the legitimate channels of trade has won the success which he is now enjoying, being today one of the extensive landowners of the county. He was born June 11, 1828, in Lincolnshire, England. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Barker) Dixon, also natives of England, the former born January 31, 1785, and the latter April 18, 1795. The death of the father occurred January 31, 1846, while his wife passed away in 1870 on the seventy-fifth anniversary of her birth. In their family were four sons and two daughters, but only two are now living, Job and Thomas. The latter was born November 19, 1831, and is now residing in Lincolnshire, England, while Job is the