Jesse J. Ricks (May 15, 1879–February 20, 1944) was an American lawyer and businessman best known for serving as the former President and Board Chairman of the Union Carbide and Carbon Company.
Jesse Jay Ricks | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 15, 1879 |
| Died | February 20, 1944 (aged 64) |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, lawyer |
| Known for | Business, law |
| Board member of | Union Carbide |
| Spouse | Sybil Ricks (née Hayward) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | James Benjamin Ricks (father) |
Biography and career
editEarly life
editRicks was born on May 15, 1879, in Taylorville, Illinois, to his father, James Benjamin Ricks – the city's former mayor and an Illinois State Supreme Court justice – and his mother, Pammie Geltmacher.[1][2][3] He attended the University of Michigan for his college education, where he served as a staff member for the Law Review.[2][4]
Career
editRicks began his legal career in Chicago, Illinois, being admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association in 1903.[2] That year, Ricks joined the law firm of Winston & Meagher.[5][6] After joining the firm, its name eventually became Meagher, Whitney, Ricks, & Sullivan.[5]
In the 1910s, Ricks moved to New York, where he would play a key role in the creation of the Union Carbide and Carbon Company.[2][7] He would go on to serve as the chemical company's president, chairman, and director.[5][6][7][8] He also served as Union Carbide's general counsel.[5][6][8][9]
In 1941, Ricks went from being President of Union Carbide to its chairman.[10][11] He was replaced by Benjamin O'Shea.[10][11]
Death
editRicks died from an illness on the morning of Sunday, February 20, 1944, in his Long Island estate. He was 64 at the time of his death.[2][12]
Personal life
editRicks lived in his estate, Chanticlare, in Flower Hill, New York, on Long Island's North Shore.[12][13][14][15] He was married to Sybil Ricks (née Hayward); the couple wed on February 11, 1909, in Niagara, New York.[2] The couple had four children: Jesse Jr. , John, Jane, and James.[12][16][17]
Ricks well well-known for his avid interests in literature, music, and natural history. He was a member of the American Museum of Natural History, the Wilson Ornithological Society, and the American Forestry Association.[2]
References
edit- ^ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g "J. J. RICKS, EX-HEAD OF UNION CARBIDE; Chairman of the Board Helped Form Corporation in 1917 Dies in Plandome at 64 (Published 1944)". The New York Times. 1944-02-21. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
- ^ "James B. Ricks" (PDF). Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.
- ^ Wagner, Franklin Allan; Yost, Fielding Harris; Ricks, Jesse Jay. (1901). The Michigan daily-news football yearbook. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ann Arbor printing company.
- ^ a b c d "EDWARD WHITNEY, UNION CARBIDE AIDE; Former General Counsel, One of Its Organizers in 1916, Dies --Lawyer Half Century". The New York Times. 1951-02-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ a b c "MAYER'S $704,425 TOPS 1941 SALARIES; Film Leader, in Van for Second Year, Got Double Income of Clark Gable, Second HILL'S PAY CUT SHARPLY American Tobacco Report to SEC Notes Court Ruling Reducing 'Incentive' Payments MAYER'S $704,425 TOPS 1941 SALARIES". The New York Times. 1942-05-29. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ a b Spelling per "Business: Best Years". Time. April 5, 1937. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Original link requires subscription; archive contains full first page.
- ^ a b "GENERAL ELECTRIC HAS DROP IN PROFIT; Net in Quarter Off From Year Before Despite New High Record in Sales $11,377,969 INCOME TOTAL Charles E. Wilson, President of Company, Gives Data at Annual Meeting GENERAL ELECTRIC HAS DROP IN PROFIT". The New York Times. 1941-04-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ "SAYS NAVAL ORDERS ROCKETED SALARIES; Counsel Reports to House Group a 1934-41 Range of From 22 to 1,331 Per Cent 'GOVERNMENT FOOTS BILL' Toland Accuses Both Industry and Labor of Feeling 'What Do We Care About Cost'". The New York Times. 1942-03-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ a b "OFFICERS ELECTED BY UNION CARBIDE; J.J. Ricks Goes From President to Chairman -- Succeeded by Benjamin O'Shea". The New York Times. 1941-05-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ a b "RETIREMENT PLAN ORDERED CHANGED; Court Approves an Offer of Settlement to Save Union Carbide $653,744". The New York Times. 1942-06-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Obituary 1 -- No Title". The New York Times. February 21, 1944. p. 15 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Organ Donated to Hofstra". Newsday. July 10, 1968. p. 25 – via ProQuest.
Mrs. Ricks, a volunteer church organist, played the pipe organ at regular Sunday gatherings of friends at their 42-room Flower Hill Estate [Chanticlare].
- ^ "TOUR OF L.I. HOMES TO AID SMITH CLUB: College Scholarship Fund to Benefit From 'Living With History' Event on May 7". The New York Times. April 18, 1957 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Kass, Jane (May 18, 1965). "Mansion Spared as Homes Rise on Estate". Newsday – via ProQuest.
- ^ "MISS JANE H. RICKS ENGAGED TO MARRY; Plandome Girl to Become the Bride of Wilfred S. King of This City. ANNOUNCEMENT AT PARTY Supper Given by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse J. Ricks, Parents of the Bride-to-Be". The New York Times. 1934-12-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ "GRAND JURY TO GET RICKS'S PISTOL CASE; Son of Industrialist Found He Had a Police Gun in Pocket After Meeting Officer in Cafe". The New York Times. 1937-04-02. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-26.