Early life Ricks 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. He attended the
University of Michigan for his college education, where he served as a staff member for the
Law Review.
Career Ricks began his legal career in
Chicago, Illinois, being admitted to the
Illinois State Bar Association in 1903. He would go on to serve as the chemical company's president, chairman, and director. He also served as Union Carbide's general counsel. In 1941, Ricks went from being President of Union Carbide to its chairman. He was replaced by Benjamin O'Shea. == Personal life ==