Skilesr

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     ROBERT I. SKILES has, in a comparatively short period, built up a most lucrative and successful business in real estate, loans and insurance at Wenatchee, Chelan county. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1852.
     John W. Skiles, his father, had a remarkable war record, and his regiment, the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, contained more illustrious men than any other engaged in the Civil War. Among them may be included President Hayes, President McKinley, Colonel Stanley Matthews, later Judge of the federal supreme court, several lieutenant governors of Ohio, and a number of men who have since become prominent in railroad circles. Captain Skiles had the honor of succeeding Major R. B. Hayes, the promotion being accorded to him for bravery on the field of battle. He lost an arm at the battle of South Mountain. From 1890 until 1893 he had charge of government timber in Oregon and Washington.
     Cornelia (Irons) Skiles, mother of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her father was an editor and conducted a number of newspapers in that state and was prominent in Masonic circles. Over his remains the fraternity erected an imposing monument. Politically he was an old-line Democrat, later a Republican. He died in 1856 at Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
     Robert I. Skiles, our subject, was reared in Ohio, and was graduated from the Delaware College. He came to Nebraska, where he engaged in the stock business, feeding from four to six hundred head of cattle. In 1885-6 he went to Denver, Colorado, and into the real estate business, which vocation he has since followed successfully. Between 1890 and 1901 he was in San Diego and Los Angeles, California, and in the latter year came to Wenatchee, Washington. He handles fruit ranches, city property and the most extensive loan business in the city. He has four brothers living, John W, Jr., Charles E., Harry I., Ernest C. His two sisters are Cora Sabin and Jennie Byron.
     At San Diego, California, our subject was married to Ella Routson, March 19, 1892. She was a native of Nebraska, and died November 17, 1898, aged twenty-four years. Her father is John G. Routson, and is at present an orange grower in Southern California. She left one child, Robert, now residing with his grandparents. Mrs. Skiles had one brother and two sisters, Edward, and Edna and Grace, the two latter living with their parents at San Diego, California.