Ricks, Adolph G.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Ricks, Adolph G., merchant, financier, banker, public-spirited citizen,--was born in Germany Sept. 21, 1842; son of Philip and Katherine (Leihner) Ricks. When he was only 10 years old his parents came to America and after spending 2 or 3 years in the City of New Orleans, located on a farm in St. Helena parish, where the son remained until about 15 years of age, when he went with a friend of the family to Paris, Tex., which in those days constituted a truly eventful and memorable journey. At Paris young Ricks found employment in a store of such a nature as to admit of his attending school, and after having diligently pursued his studies for some years, he returned to New Orleans and successively filled several advancing positions with leading mercantile establishments of that time. When opportunity was afforded him he enlisted in the army, and valiantly served the cause of the Southern Confederacy until the close of the Civil war, having seen more than a year and a half of the arduous life of a Confederate soldier. After the surrender he again returned to New Orleans, and soon found himself installed as clerk in the office of a leading brokerage firm, where he contented himself as best his nature would permit in the capacity of an employe [sic], until, through frugal habits and careful management, he was enabled to embark in a small business on his own account, and from this time on his advancement proved both steady and rapid. About 1869 he entered a co-partnership under the firm name of the John Frank Company for the purpose of handling hides and leather on an extensive scale. This venture proved gratifyingly successful, and in 1882, associated with Mr. Muth, he arranged to buy the interest of former partners in the business and the style of the firm was changed to A. G. Ricks & Co., the enterprise, under efficient management, continuing to grow and expand and to enjoy ever-increasing prosperity. In 1895 Mr. Ricks was appointed receiver for the New Orleans Brewery association, embracing 6 breweries, and continued to administer the affairs of this important position for 4 years, bringing his labors in that capacity to a successful conclusion in spite of the fact that he found himself severely hampered by the operation of the Spanish-American war tax. In 1896 Mr. Ricks was elected councilman-at-large from the 4th district of the City of New Orleans, on the Citizens' League ticket, and served the interests of his constituency and the city at large with conspicuous ability. In 1901 Mr. Ricks became president of the Metropolitan bank, advancing to this position from that of vice-president, which he had held for some time previously. In 1911, having seen his bank installed in its own splendid new building, Mr. Ricks resigned the presidency of this great financial institution with the intention of retiring from active participation in business or public affairs, but in 1912 his numerous friends joined in an insistent call and practical demand that he become a candidate for a position under the new commission government of New Orleans on the regular democratic ticket. Yielding to the popular wish, he consented to do this, and was accordingly elected a member of the commission council under the new city charter, which position he occupies at this writing. Mr. Ricks has been a life-long democrat, but has never sought political honors and has only participated in politics to the extent dictated by his sense of the obligations of good citizenship. He is a member of the First German Evangelical church, and has filled the honorable position of president of that congregation continuously since 1872; he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for 8 consecutive years attended the sessions of the Supreme lodge as grand representative from Louisiana; a 32nd degree Mason, and for 15 years treasurer of the Masonic Grand lodge of Louisiana; vice-president Mutual Homestead Building association; vice-president Title & Mortgage association; president I. O. O. F. association; commissioner and treasurer Milny Asylum fund.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 377-378. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.