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Matilda Jane Austin Sikes

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Birth	:	10 Mar 1839 Anson County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	11 May 1909 Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Masonic Memorial Gardens, Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.5266724, -119.8409042
Description	:	MATILDA JANE AUSTIN SIKES, known as Jane, was born in that area of old Anson County, North Carolina, that in 1842 became Union County, a daughter of Culpepper Austin and Hester Curlee Austin. Her father was a well-to-do farmer, miller and landowner who became a leader in Union County politics. At the age of seventeen, Jane Austin and John Cuthbertson Sikes of Union County were married at the Austin home place on December 1, 1856. They set up housekeeping at the old Sikes farm near what is today the town of Wingate, in eastern Union County. Within five... Read More	MATILDA JANE AUSTIN SIKES, known as Jane, was born in that area of old Anson County, North Carolina, that in 1842 became Union County, a daughter of Culpepper Austin and Hester Curlee Austin. Her father was a well-to-do farmer, miller and landowner who became a leader in Union County politics. At the age of seventeen, Jane Austin and John Cuthbertson Sikes of Union County were married at the Austin home place on December 1, 1856. They set up housekeeping at the old Sikes farm near what is today the town of Wingate, in eastern Union County. Within five years of their marriage, the outbreak of the American Civil War disrupted their lives and by 1863, her husband was serving in the Confederate Army, stationed at Fort Caswell, near Wilmington, NC. When Jane, who had always exhibited a natural talent for home remedies and caring for the sick, learned that he had become seriously ill, she left their two small boys, Vernon, age 5, and Leonidas, age 2, at home in the care of a servant and went to attend him. When she returned, she found that both boys had died of diphtheria and had been buried in the family cemetery on the farm. The Negro slave, who was left in charge and lovingly nursed the boys during their illness, caught the disease herself and soon died. It was a devastating misfortune for the young mother and father to endure. After the war ended in 1865, and amid the terrible economic hardships and political disruptions of Reconstruction that followed, they began the difficult task of rebuilding their lives. It was on the old Sikes farm near Wingate that they began to rear a new family – a daughter and seven sons, namely: Hester Dora in 1866 (married O. M. Sanders in 1887); Enoch Walter in 1868 (married Ruth Wingate in 1900); Charles Culpepper in 1870 (married Cornelia Virginia McCauley in 1894); Vernon Dixon in 1873 (married Faye Bennett Gaddy in 1906); Vann in 1875 (married 1st Mary Alice Parker in 1895; 2nd Minnie E. Ivey in 1910, after the death of his first wife); Claude in 1877 (killed on the farm by lightening in 1897); John Cuthbertson, Jr. in 1880 (married Margaret Harwood Crowell in 1906); and Oscar Jennings in 1883 (married Delia Kendrick in 1910). About 1883, John Sikes purchased his well-known mill site along Rocky River in the northern portion of the county and built a dam and water-powered gristmill. With Jane’s help, Sikes Mill and the Sikes plantation became widely known as a place of warm hospitality. It was here the children grew up in the healthy fresh air and clean environment of this lovely rural setting. By all accounts, Jane was a strong and dynamic mother who gave each of her children unconditional love, wholesome personalities and a will to succeed and serve their community. Jane Austin Sikes died at her home in Monroe on May 11, 1909, at the age of 70, three years after her husband. The Reverend D. M. Austin of Charlotte, who spoke with great feeling and appreciation for her life and character, conducted her funeral service at Monroe’s First Baptist Church. The Monroe Journal of May 12 spoke of her as “a woman of uncommon sense and judgment, as well as real piety and marked Christian character… an intelligent, broad-minded, big-hearted woman, one who loved to do good, whose greatest delight was to minister to those in need.” “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” St. John 14:1-2 Written and contributed by Robert Allison Ragan, her great grandson.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Matilda Jane Austin Sikes's memorial?
Matilda Jane Austin Sikes's memorial is located at: Masonic Memorial Gardens, Reno, Washoe County, USA.
When did Matilda Jane Austin Sikes death?
Matilda Jane Austin Sikes death on 11 May 1909 in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Matilda Jane Austin Sikes's memorial?
Latitude: 39.5266724
Longitude: -119.8409042

Family Members:

Parent

Culpepper Austin

(1818 - 1893)

(unknow - unknow)

Spouse

John Cuthbertson Sikes

(1836 - 1906)

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

John E W Austin

(1844 - 1905)

(unknow - unknow)

Vernon C Austin

(1856 - 1897)

Children

Dora Hester Sikes Sanders

(1866 - 1944)

Culpepper C. “Cull” Sikes

(1870 - 1927)

Vernon Dixon “Dick” Sikes

(1873 - 1948)

Vann Sikes

(1875 - 1923)

Claude Sikes

(1877 - 1897)

John Cuthbertson Sikes

(1880 - 1938)

Oscar Jennings Sikes Sr.

(1883 - 1969)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Masonic Memorial Gardens
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5266724, -119.8409042

2. Mountain View Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5238991, -119.8419037

3. Knights of Pythias Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5357208, -119.8214874

4. Hillside Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5351982, -119.8206024

5. Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5366200, -119.8198000

6. Hebrew Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5373400, -119.8197000

7. Trinity Episcopal Church Columbarium
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5236690, -119.8145810

8. Saint Thomas Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5401500, -119.8163400

9. Reno Chinese Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5277260, -119.8079560

10. Carmelite Monastery Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5001770, -119.8448300

11. Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5519981, -119.8229980

12. Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Cemetery
Sparks, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5307200, -119.7753500

13. Saint Pauls Episcopal Church Columbarium
Sparks, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5443700, -119.7594300

14. Sierra Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6081009, -119.8491974

15. Huffaker Cemetery
Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4360771, -119.7753067

16. Crystal Peak Cemetery
Verdi, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5250310, -119.9984690

17. Phenix Family Cemetery
Steamboat, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3861510, -119.7469260

18. Whispering Pines Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3608017, -119.8197021

19. Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Hungry Valley Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7152840, -119.7400810

20. Washoe City Cemetery
Reno, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3171997, -119.8198547

21. Boca Cemetery
Boca, Nevada County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3870510, -120.0922310

22. Bowers Mansion Cemetery
Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2852800, -119.8422000

23. Franktown Creek Cemetery
Franktown, Washoe County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2752991, -119.8463974

24. Old Virginia City Jewish Cemetery
Virginia City, Storey County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3231010, -119.6414032