Husband Jacob Bilger Sykes 1 2
Born: 10 Jun 1852 - Curwensville, Clearfield Co, PA 1
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Died: 7 May 1916 - Sykesville, Jefferson Co, PA 3
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Father: Henry Sykes (1818-1893) 1 2
Mother: Rebecca Bilger (1829-Aft 1898) 1 2
Marriage: 1875 - Winslow Twp, Jefferson Co, PA 4
Wife Florenna Philippi 4 5
Born:
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Died: Aft 1917
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Father: Solomon Philippi ( - ) 4 5
Mother:
Children
1 F Agnes Sykes 4 5
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Spouse: William R. Cole ( - ) 4 5
2 M Asa W. Sykes 4 5
Born: 1 Dec 1877 - Henderson Twp, Jefferson Co, PA 4
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Spouse: Jennie London ( -1909) 4 6
Spouse: Estella Kreider ( - ) 4
3 M Thomas O. Sykes 4 5
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4 F Effie Alma Sykes 4 5
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Spouse: C. Everett Humphrey ( - ) 4
5 F Ruth Sykes 5
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Spouse: Edwin Arthur Wells ( - ) 4
Marr: 15 Aug 1916 4
General Notes: Husband - Jacob Bilger Sykes
Until he had attained his majority, he continued to assist his father in his farming and lumber operations, and then went to Minnesota, where for a year he engaged in lumbering. Returning to Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, he embarked in the same line of business, and became one of the most extensive lumber merchants of the region, being the senior member of the firm of Sykes Brothers, of Clearfield County. His brother, Benjamin J. Sykes, was his partner in business. They owned and operated a sawmill and planing-mill at Newtonburg, where they had 1,400 acres of timber land; J. B. Sykes also owned 280 acres of land in Jefferson County, on a part of which he has laid out the thriving little village of Sykes-ville. On locating there the place contained but one house, then occupied by Henry Philippi. The tract was an unbroken wilderness, covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally pine, and was then owned by Charles Brown, George E. Williams and J. B. Walker, from whom Mr. Sykes purchased it. He first contracted to take the timber off the land, and then bought the 280 acres at $12 per acre. Later he sold the coal from under his land for $50 per acre. From 1878 until 1893 he was engaged in general merchandising in connection with his lumber business at that place, and in the latter year erected the "Sykes Hotel," but still gave his attention principally to his extensive lumber interests.
After his father's family settled on the John Zimmerman farm, south of where Sykesville, Pennsylvania, was later located, his father carried on farming and lumbering as well as a woolen factory, operating the first woolen mill at Sykesville. All the children learned the trade, but Jacob B. Sykes never followed the business to any extent. About the time he reached his majority he went to Minnesota, where he was employed at lumbering for a year. He and his brother Benjamin J. Sykes in 1893 entered into a partnership in the lumber business under the firm name of Sykes Brothers, and became one of the largest operators in that region. Jacob Sykes erected a sawmill on Stump creek which he ran for eight years, and Sykes Brothers owned and operated a large sawmill and planing mill at Newtonburg, Clearfield County, owning also 1,486 acres of timber land in that section. Having come into possession of 280 acres in Jefferson County, including what later became the borough of Sykesville, Mr. Sykes laid out the village on this tract, on which there was then but one house, the residence occupied by Henry Philippi. His land was an unbroken wilderness, covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally pine, and he had originally contracted to take the timber off, subsequently purchasing the piece at twelve dollars an acre, from Charles Brown, George E. Williams and J. B. Walker. It was a very good investment. He began the erection of a mill and a few houses, and gave employment to all the residents of the settlement. He was the first postmaster and one of the first merchants, in 1878 opening a general store for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the vicinity, and conducting it until 1893. Five years after he began milling at Sykesville his mill was burned, but he rebuilt it at once, on the old foundation, near where the residence of Frank A. Moore later stood. Having erected a large building for the accommodation of the public, Mr. Sykes leased it for a time, until 1900, when he took charge himself, conducting what became popularly known as the "Sykes Hotel" until his death.
Mr. Sykes cleared the 280-acre tract upon which Sykesville grew around the nucleus of his mill and the homes of those first employed there, and also sold the coal underlying the land, receiving fifty dollars an acre for it. Practically every enterprise important to the growth of the town relied upon him for approval and support, and the thriving little borough incorporated in 1907. He became interested in the brick plant; helped to organize the First National Bank and became its first president, holding the position until he retired from it a few months before his death; was a stockholder and director in the United Traction Company, and in the trolley line between Sykesville and DuBois. His interest and activity never abated, for though he was ill for three years before his death he was able to look after his affairs until a few weeks before the end, and even poor health did not serve to distract him from his obligations. He was one of the largest property holders in the county, and had valuable holdings in the borough. Yet with all his varied interests he was master of their numerous details and neglected none, his executive ability being one of his most remarkable characteristics.
Though his time was almost entirely taken up by large interests, Mr. Sykes never felt that local matters were too petty to receive their share of his attention, and he served personally in many of the town and township offices. He was a member of the Winslow township school board and later of the Sykesville borough school board and treasurer of the latter body; became a member of the first town council when the borough was incorporated; and unofficially had as much influence in the direction of the borough government as any other citizen in the place. He was a charter member of the local bodies of the Knights of Pythias and P. O. S. of A., retaining his association with both throughout his life. He also joined the Royal Arcanum at Punxsutawney. Politically he was a Republican, and he was twice nominated for sheriff of Jefferson County.
Mr. Sykes died at his home on Main street, Sykesville, mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances whose lives had come in touch with his through the many channels of usefulness he had found open. Kindly toward all, charitable to those in need of his help, just in his relations with employes and others associated with him, he is remembered universally as one whom it was a privilege and a pleasure to know, and there were many manifestations of such feelings among the great numbers who attended his funeral or came to sympathize with his family. The pall bearers and flower bearer's were chosen from his fellow members in the K. P. lodge, which was fully represented, as well as the Pythian Sisters and the P. O. S. of A. The services were conducted by a former pastor of the Baptist Church at Sykesville, assisted by another former pastor and two of the local clergymen.