Henry Richmond Sykes
Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 12 September 1901, page 7
DEATH AT 112 YEARS OF AGE
In the death of Henry Richmond Sykes, which occurred at Dayton
Ky. yesterday, there passed away not only the oldest citizen of Kentucky, but
probably of a dozen other states. Born in 1779 his life has been almost
co-extensive with that of the United States Government. He has been the
contemporary of all the great men, from Washington, Adams, Jefferson, down to
the present day. He was born near Hull, England. While a young lad he came to
this country with his parents.
He led a sailor's life for a number of years and upon the breaking out of the war of 1812 enlisted with the United States Navy and was assigned to duty with Commodore Perry's fleet. He was with the latter at the time of his famous victory on Lake Erie and was commended for his bravery. After the war he settled in Pennsylvania and later emigrated to the mountains of Kentucky.
He was with Daniel Boone in many of his famous encounters with the Indians and many are the thrilling stories which he was wont to tell of the great pioneer and huntsman. Later he removed to Newport Ky. and while there was employed by Colonel Al Berry, "Daddy" Hayman and other well known men. About a half century ago he removed to Dayton Ky. and was employed as general factotum by Colonel Jesse McArthur, Colonel George E Curris and others. The accompanying portrait was taken at the age of 105 years and the dog in the picture was Colonel Curries.
After he had become too decrepit to engage in hard manual labor he assumed the role of a rag picker and was a familiar figure about the streets of Dayton up to within two or three years since. His death occurred at 1 pm yesterday and resulted from strangulation following drinking coffee which was being administrated to him by his stepdaughter, Mrs. Rebecca Jeffries, with whom he had been living since the death of his second wife, about two decades ago.
Mrs. Jeffries summoned Mr. Syke's grandson, William Richmond, who resides next door, but upon arriving Sykes was unconscious and in the throes of death. Dr. C H Struble was called in but the aged warrior and faithful friends had passed to the great unknown. Coroner Higgins held an inquest and reported death due to strangulation.