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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886. 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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William H. Sykes, of Athens, Ala., formerly a resident of Lawrence County, was born in Dayton, Ohio, August 10, 1842, son of James and Elizabeth (Mulholland) Sykes, natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania. The father came to Lawrence County in 1843 and engaged in cotton, manufacture northeast of Lawrenceburg at Oak Factory. He was a useful citizen and died in 1865. William H. was reared in this county, securing an academic education. After his father’s death he assumed control of the Crowson Cotton Mills, which were built by the father in 1856. Since his father’s death he has managed these mills. He uses 350 to 400 bales of cotton per year, manufacturing yarns, carpet-warps and batting, finding his principal market in Cincinnati. He uses water power and employs about twenty-five hands. June 8, 1875, Mr. Sykes married Jennie P. Hayes, of Athens, Ala., who has borne her husband three children — one son and two daughters. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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This family biography is one of 79 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Tennessee published in 1886. The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee
View additional Lawrence County, Tennessee family biographies here: Lawrence County, Tennessee
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