We used to laugh about them and call them hicks until I started to study a little of the geneology of the family. They were the common folks, the real pioneers. They came to this country in 1632 and were involved in every major event in the history of the US. They fought in every war, they sailed on ships to explore the west coast and open the trade with Hong Kong, crossed the country in wagon trains to Oregon and WA, were killed by Indians in Ohio, helped build the railroads and the Panama Canal. They were soldiers, pirates, ministers and school teachers. They were never wealthy or great (except for one opera singer), but they were the backbone of America.