Wikipedia Biographical Summary:

"...Thomas Edwin Ricks (July 21, 1828 – September 28, 1901) was a prominent Mormon pioneer, a community leader, and a settler of the western United States..."

"...Ricks was born on July 21, 1828 in Western Kentucky, the son of Joel Ricks and Eleanor Martin. In 1830, he moved with his family to Silver Creek, Illinois where his family started a branch of the Campbellite Church. In 1840, his family was introduced to missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) and in 1841, Ricks' parents and siblings were all baptized into that church..."

"...On June 6, 1848, a group of Native Americans raided Ricks' pioneer company, stealing some of their cattle. Ricks and some other youth in the camp went to pursue them. The youth were ambushed and Ricks was shot three times, twice in the kidneys and once in his backbone. As a result of the injury he traveled most of the way to the Salt Lake Valley in his family's wagon.

Later Ricks would later assist five additional groups of pioneers to make the same trek. In 1856, he was part of the rescue party sent from Salt Lake to assist the stranded Martin Handcart Company near the Sweetwater River..."

"...Ricks was also an influential church and community leader in both Utah and Idaho. He is known as the founder of Rexburg, Idaho..."

"...Ricks died September 28, 1901 at age 73..."

SOURCE: Wikipedia contributors, 'Thomas E. Ricks (Mormon)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 January 2011, 00:39 UTC, <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_E._Ricks_(Mormon)&oldid=410667191> [accessed 18 February 2011]