Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Sykes, Thomas H 
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Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

THOMAS H. SYKES.

No more capable official could have been selected to manage the interests of 
the poor farm in Grundy county than Thomas Herbert Sykes, who since 1882 has 
been in charge and has made it a model farm in every respect. He is not only 
an enterprising agriculturist, but is a capable business man and in the care 
of the inmates of the farm has the greatest regard for sanitation and comfort, 
his treatment of the poor being both kindly and just.

Mr. Sykes is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Lancashire, 
August 2, 1840, his parents being Joseph and Lydia (Whitehead) Sykes, who were 
also natives of England. In the public and night schools of that country our 
subject acquired his education, and in 1865, when twenty-five years of age, 
bade farewell to the land of his birth and sailed for America. He spent a few 
days in New York city and then went to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, but not being 
pleased with that locality, he resumed his westward journey and took up his 
abode in Morris. By occupation he was a coal-miner and followed that pursuit 
till 1882, becoming the owner of a mine which he operated on a moderate scale. 
In that year he was selected to take charge of the poor farm and agreed to 
give it one year's trial. During that time he so ably managed its interests 
that he was urged to continue in the position and has since been in charge. In 
his farming operations he follows the most progressive methods, and the well 
tilled fields and cultivated gardens yield good returns for his labor. He 
undertook the work of remodeling and beautifying the place, and his untiring 
efforts and excellent ideas soon wrought very desirable changes. He graded the 
yard, planted flowers, remodeled the house and enlarged it by building 
additions. The large dining-room, kitchen and present sitting-room for the 
women were all planned and built under his direction, while numerous smaller 
improvements add to the homelike appearance of the place, contributing to the 
comfort of the inmates. Mrs. Sykes personally superintends the kitchen and the 
cuisine and her economy and well formed plans have contributed not a little to 
the success which has attended the farm under the management of her husband.

In 1862 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sykes and Miss Betty Cryer, who has 
indeed been to him a faithful companion and helpmeet. She was born in England 
and her parents, William and Ann Cryer, were both natives of Lancastershire. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sykes are Edwin, now deceased; Lydia, wife of 
Charles Wood, who is living in Mazon, Illinois; Ellen, deceased; Robert, who 
is married and resides in Wauponsee township, Grundy county; Mary Anna, wife 
of James Wood, of Wauponsee township; Frank, who is married and is a resident 
farmer of the same township; Charles Edward, who is married and resides at 
home; William, deceased ; and Myrtle Ivy, who also is living with her parents.

In his political affiliations Mr. Sykes is a Republican. He belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal church and his life is characterized by earnest Christian 
principles and conduct. In his business he has met with creditable success and 
is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land in Wauponsee 
township. He is one of the most capable county officials, and no more worthy 
incumbent has ever occupied the position of superintendent of the poor farm. 
He possesses excellent executive ability, sound judgment and indefatigable 
industry—qualities which have made him a most commendable and painstaking 
public official.


Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p615-616

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