My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. SKILES is a native of Schuyler county, Ill., and was born on Christmas day, 1839. His father, Moses Skiles, was a native of Missouri, and emigrated to Illinois at an early day. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and was a man of prominence and influence in the community where he resided. He was justice of the peace for many years, and was elected to various other local offices. He was a farmer by occupation, a hard-working, industrious man. He died in 1877. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Luttrell, died in 1842. Both were members of the United Brethren church.

James M. Skiles, the subject of this sketch, was one of a family of eleven children and started out to “hoe his own row” at the age of seventeen. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited and he had to confine himself to the advantages offered in the district schools. He worked on a farm until March 22, 1862, when he enlisted in the Third Missouri cavalry. His service was rendered mainly within the borders of Missouri, where many of the most noted skirmishes of the war took place. He was a participant in the famous skirmish at Hartsville, Mo., where great efforts were exerted on both sides. He served as corporal for sometime previous to being mustered out, and followed after such distinguished leaders as Generals Warren, Steele and Merrill. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in March, 1865, making his term of actual service three years. Soon after his return from the war, Mr. Skiles purchased a stock of general merchandise and kept a store at Ray Station, Schuyler county, Ill. He was actively engaged in the mercantile business at this point for about seven years, when he disposed of his store and decided to seek a home in the West. Mr. Skiles was among the first homesteaders in Laird township, Phelps county, Nebr. It was early in the spring of 1879 when he first began prospecting for a claim, and, as might be expected, his countenance wore a doubtful but earnest expression. He found himself out on a boundless prairie almost uninhabited, and where the antelope and deer roamed at will. There yet existed a doubt concerning the future of this particular portion, which was once known as the “Great American Desert.” In appearance the country was a rolling prairie, beautiful to behold, but difficult to understand. This township is located on the Divide between the Platte and Republican rivers, and consequently it is from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet to water. This fact discouraged many who preferred to locate near the streams. This, however, did not prevent Mr. Skiles from selecting a choice quarter section and locating on it. He had faith in the country, and set about immediately to kindle the fire of civilization. He built a sod house, and began breaking the sod preparatory to planting his crop. He came with the determination to endure the many hardships and privations incident to the life of the early settler, in order that he might have a home for himself and family in years to come.

Mr. Skiles married April 20, 1865, the lady whom he selected for a partner being Miss Cynthia Tracy, a native of Schuyler county, Ill. She was born April 10, 1848. Her parents were Lyman and Annie (Carlock) Tracy, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Tennessee. Her father died in 1853, and her mother in 1882. There were ten children in the Tracy family, of whom Mrs. Skiles was the youngest.

To Mr. and Mrs. Skiles have been born nine children, as follows — Mary Ann, born February 23, 1867; Thomas Logan, born October 2, 1868; Agustus, born December 15, 1870; Rose, born January 31, 1873; Dora, born May 19, 1875; Frederick, born October 11, 1877; Luther B., born February 15, 1880; Arcadia, born March 11, 1882, and James, born December 9, 1885.

Politically, Mr. Skiles is a republican, but he is not a professional politician. He has, however, filled various offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He served one term on the county board of supervisors, and has been justice of the peace for several years. He is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance and one of its most ardent advocates. His once barren homestead is now under a good state of cultivation and yields an abundant harvest each year.