Hickey, Joseph Franklin

The following data is extracted from Centennial History of Missouri.

Joseph Franklin Hickey, president of the Mercantile Insurance Agency of St. Louis, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 19, 1876, a son of William P. and Elizabeth (Roddey) Hickey, both of whom were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father served during the Civil war as a member of an organization for home defense known as Squirrel Hunters and received honorable discharge and special mention for individual service from Governor David Tod of Ohio at the close of the war.
Joseph F. Hickey was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and in a private school at Ludlow, Kentucky. He was graduated from high school, but the death of his parents prevented him from entering college, for which arrangements had been made ere his father and mother passed away. After leaving school he was employed by the Jones Brothers Electric Company at Cincinnati, Ohio, with the idea of later pursuing a course in electrical engineering. Coming to St. Louis, he was made secretary and treasurer of the Merchants Express Company of this city and occupied the position for six years, after which he resigned in 1905 to take up financial interest and official position with the Mercantile Insurance Agency. He became principal owner thereof and president In 1919 and has since been active in directing the interests of the business, in
shaping its policy and in enlarging the scope of its connections. He is also general agent in Missouri and southern Illinois for the General Accident. Fire & Life Assurance Corporation, Ltd. He is a member of the executive committee of the Fire Underwriters Association and treasurer of the Underwriters Salvage Corps of St. Louis.

On the 15th of December, 1904, Air. Hickey was married in Evansville, Indiana, to Miss Beulah Fuqua, a daughter of Henry Fuqua, one of the pioneer residents of that state, who was actively engaged to business in Evansville for more than sixty years and was a large landowner in Vanderburg county, Indiana. Mr. and Airs. Hickey have become the parents of two children, Kenneth Myron and Althea Fuqua.

Mr. and Mrs. Hickey are members of the Kings Highway Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Hickey is serving as an officer. His political support is usually given to the democratic party, yet he does not consider himself bound by party ties and has never been an active party worker. He belongs to Rose Hill Lodge, No. 550, A. F. & A. M.; St. Louis Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M.; St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 18, K. T.; St. Louis Lodge, No. 1, of the Scottish Rite; and was grand regent of the Royal Arcanum of the state of Missouri in 1918-19. He is likewise a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he is well known through club connections, belonging to the Algonquin Golf Club and the Missouri Athletic Association. He is likewise a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the St. Louis Credit Men's Association. His course has been marked by steady advancement. Ambition has ever prompted him to put forth his best efforts and he has delighted in the joy of honorable achievement in his business affairs. His advancement has come as the merited reward of his ability and he occupies today a prominent position among the insurance men of St. Louis.

Source: Centennial History of Missouri

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