Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Fikes, James M. 1840 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 7, 2007, 1:57 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JAMES M. FIKES. Our subject is a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and was born
September 20, 1840. He is the son of John Fikes of New York, who was born in
1817, and devoted himself throughout life to the calling of agriculture. He came
to Michigan and settled in Fenton, in 1876, and now lives retired from active
business. Our subject's mother was, as a young lady, Miss Melitta Hicks, and is
a native of the Empire State being born in 1819. She and her husband are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have been the parents of two children;
the younger, Morris, married and became the father of one son and died in 1870.

  The original of this sketch was reared on the home farm and attended the
district school. He later went to select school for three or four winters,
working upon the farm during the summer seasons. Like many ambitious young men
he began his career as a teacher, commencing that work when sixteen years of age
and pursuing it five successive terms during the winters.

  Mr. Fikes began life for himself on reaching his majority, working on a farm
on shares for seven years. He came to Michigan in 1870 and located in Tyrone
Township, Livingston County, where he purchased ninety-six acres of land and
devoted himself to its cultivation for seven years. In 1877 our subject sold his
farm and removed to Fenton where he became engaged in the mercantile business,
in 1878, as a partner with George E. Damon, with whom he remained for three
years. He then sold out his interest to his partner and purchased a stock of
goods, engaging in business for himself for nine years. His stock comprised
groceries, crockery and general merchandise. He finally sold his stock, rented
his store and has since retired from active employment.

  On the 6th of November, 1861, Mr. Fikes was married to Miss Annie A. Gifford,
who was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., and is a daughter of William Gifford.
Our subject's union with this lady has been blessed by the advent of one child,
a daughter named Minnie M., who is now the wife of Dr. E. V. Riker and lives at
Parma. She is the mother of two children. He of whom we write affiliates with
believers in the Republican party. While a resident of Tyrone Township he served
as Clerk for three years and was Supervisor for one year. Since coming here he
has been Village Assessor for one year and has held other minor offices. Both he
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is a
Stewarcl. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school for over two years.

  Mr. Fikes is the owner of ten acres within the village limits. He has besides
one acre in another portion of the place and a two-story brick business block
which he himself built on the main street. While engaged in trade he did an
extensive business that aggregated from $18,000 to $22,000 per year. He owns
besides his fine residence in the village, two houses and lots. Prior to coming
to Michigan our subject manufactured cheese in Herkimer County, for eight years.
In starting out in life for himself he was obliged to borrow money to begin on.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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