Madeleine and George Sikes Papers

An inventory of their papers at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Biography of Madeleine and George Sikes

George Cushing Sikes was born in Dodge Center, Minnesota on June 4, 1868 to Henry Chaucey and Eleanor Shephard Sikes. He earned a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1892 and a Ph.M. degree from the University of Chicago in 1894 where his future wife also studied. George Sikes married Madeleine Wallin on Feb. 6, 1897 and a reception was held for the couple at Hull-House where Madeleine had served as a resident from 1896-1897. They had two children: Afred Wallin and Eleanor Shephard.

George Sikes learned the printer's trade and rose to be President of the Minneapolis Typographical Union. He worked for newspapers in Minneapolis and Chicago and later held several different posts in local government and civic organizations in Chicago. Madeleine Sikes taught history and was an active clubwoman as a member of the Chicago Woman's Club and Chicago Woman's City Club. Some of George Sike's more notable positions include editorial writer on the Chicago Record (1895-1900), writer for the Chicago Daily News , Secretary for the Chicago Street Railway Commission (1900-1902), Secretary for the Municipal Voter's League (1906-1908), expert investigator for the Chicago Harbor Commission (1908-1909), Secretary for the Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency (1910-1915), and Director of Policeman's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (1923-1926). George Sikes died on July 20, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois and Madeleine Sikes passed away in 1955.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of correspondence, clippings, printed wedding invitations and letters of condolence to Madeleine Sikes regarding the death of her husband, George Sikes.

Bibliography

Who was Who in America: A Companion Volume to Who's Who in America. Vol. 1. 1897-1942. Chicago: The A.N. Marquis Company, 1943.

Detailed Description/Box and Folder Listing