Edward Henry Skewes is a representative of one of the old families of Racine County and has passed his entire life here, as his birth occurred in Yorkville Township. He is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres in that Township and is there engaged in the dairy business, shipping milk to Chicago and likewise raising cabbage, which he also disposes of in the city markets.
His natal day was the 12th of May, 1869, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1840. When twenty years old the father came to America and joined an uncle who was living in Yorkville Township, Racine County, Wisconsin. Subsequently he purchased a farm and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation and improvement. He held title to one hundred acres, and his well directed labor yielded him a good return. He had no capital when he came to this country and has at all times been dependent upon his own efforts for success. Some time after locating in this County he sent money to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Skewes, to pay their passage to the United States. He passed away in 1912, and his demise was the occasion of widespread regret, for he was well known and highly esteemed. He was married in Yorkville Township in 1864 to Miss Eliza Phillips, whose death occurred in January, 1903. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was for years a local preacher in that denomination. In his early life he was identified with the Bible Christian church. He was a republican and took an active interest in local affairs, but was most prominent in connection with the efforts to do away with the liquor traffic. He served as town chairman for several years on the no license issue and was a strong advocate of laws prohibiting the sale of liquor. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom four survive, namely: Edward Henry; Manly, who is a train dispatcher in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Minneapolis; Clinton, who is farming the homestead; and Lillie, the wife of Derrick West, a farmer of Raymond Township. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Phillips, came to Racine County with the second colony which settled here and was a factor in its early development along various lines, especially, however, in regard to its agricultural interests.
Edward H. Skewes received his education in the district schools of Yorkville Township and as a boy and youth devoted much time to helping his father. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years old, when he operated a rented farm, after which he leased his present place for three years. He then bought the property, which comprises one hundred and forty acres of excellent land in Yorkville Township and which is in a high state of development. When he began farming on his own account he had only a capital of five hundred dollars, but he was thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits and as the years have passed his resources have steadily increased until he is now in comfortable circumstances. He gives much attention to the dairy business, shipping milk to Chicago, and he has a fine herd of Holstein cows, at the head of which is a registered bull. In future he intends to breed and raise all of the cows for his dairy. He also gives considerable attention to truck gardening, raising cabbage on an extensive scale and selling it in the city markets.
Mr. Skewes was married in March, 1897, to Miss Helen Gilmore, a daughter of Lyman and Caroline (Stilwell) Gilmore, both natives of New York state, whence they came to Racine County, Wisconsin, in 1846. They passed their remaining days here and gained a high place in the estimation of all who knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Skewes have two children, namely: Alma, who has completed her education and is at home; and Lyman, attending school.
Mr. and Mrs. Skewes are both consistent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee, and he is likewise serving as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a firm believer in prohibition, but where the liquor question is not involved supports the Republican Party. He has been a leader in the good roads movement in his County and has accomplished a great deal of good in securing better highways. He takes a progressive attitude in all matters and can be depended upon to support all projects intended to advance the general good.