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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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SYKES, JAMES, farmer and stock-raiser; Sec. 22; P. O. Beverly; was born in Hudsfield, England, in March, 1819; came to New York when two years of age, and to Beverly township in 1834, being at that time about fourteen years of age. His father built the second house ever erected in the township, in the fall of 1834, on Sec. 21; mother died in 1860, and father in 1861; was married to Miss Mary Ayers in 1849. She was born, in 1830, in New Jersey, and died April 1, 1873; was remarried to Martha Cunningham, in 1875. She was born in 1832. Had, by first marriage, six children: Hannah (now Mrs. Cunningham); Elizabeth (now Mrs. McClain); Joseph, Emma, Frank, and Hattie. He owns 807 acres of land in Beverly township, 240 acres in Nebraska, and 320 acres in Minnesota; probable value of all, $30,000. Being one of the early settlers, by his energy and attention to business, he has accumulated a large amount of wealth. Politically, he is a Republican.
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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois
View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies
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