HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1201-02.   [Franklin County]

OLIVER HAYDEN SKILES, president of the People's State Bank of Frankfort,
was the principal organizer of this substantial and prosperous institution,
which took its place among the city's successful enterprises in June, 1909.
Mr. Skiles is a man of discretion and sound judgment and he has proved
that he has executive gifts of high order, all of which serve to make him
an idea incumbent for an office of nature as important as the one filled by
him.  This is not his initial venture at bank organizing, for it is due to
him that the state bank at Mt. Eden, Shelby county, Kentucky, came into
existence in 1900.  Mr. Skiles' connection with the Mt. Eden bank was of
nine years' duration.
     As is the case with so many Americans who play the more important
roles in the varied drama of our national life, Mr. Skiles was born upon
a farm in Owen county, Kentucky, November 20, 1866, and he passed his
earlier years among its busy, but wholesome scenes.  His parents were
Christopher C. and Margaret (Hulette) Skiles, both of whom were born on
farms in Owen county, the former, March 22, 1844, and the latter, April 27,
1848.  When Mr. Skiles was a child about five years of age he had the great
misfortune to lose his mother by death, her demise occurring October 15,
1871.  In due time the father married again, the lady to become his wife
being Isabel Babbitt, of Franklin county.  By the first marriage there were
three children, namely: Oliver H., Alflora and Margaret S., all of whom are
living.  To the second union ten children were born.  The father is still
living in Owen county, where he has followed for so long a time the calling
of agriculture.  Politically he gives stanch allegiance to the Democratic
party and he is a careful student of those questions which affect the
general welfare.  In church faith he is a Baptist.  Mr. Skiles' grandfather
was John Skiles, who was born in Virginia of Scotch-Irish parentage.  He
was an early settler of Owen county and was the father of five stalwart
sons, all of whom married and settled in Owen county, to whose material
prosperity they and their children have greatly contributed.
     Circumstances permitted Oliver Hayden Skiles to obtain but a limited
education in his earlier days, his books and desk in the school room
early having to be abandoned for the more serious problems of life.  Having
a real desire for learning he has since effectually remedied by his own
study and research any such defects as might have existed.  When he was
twenty-three years of age he left the farm and for the next ten years
engaged, successfully in a new line of work, the merchandise business,
which he conducted first for four years at Moxley, Kentucky, and then for
six years at New Liberty, this state.
     As previously mentioned Mr. Skiles established the Mt. Eden bank in
1900, and for nine years acted as its cashier, then selling his interests
and establishing the People's State Bank in January, 1909, the new
institution opening for business some six months later, and in the short
time ensuing building up a splendid business.
     Like many of his brethren in the South Mr. Skiles give whole-souled
allegiance to the Democratic party, and has never been among those to
crave the honors and emoluments of office.  He finds much pleasure in his
lodge affiliations, which embrace the Knights of Pythias and the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He is a member of the Christian church,
in which he holds the office of deacon.
     In 1888 Mr. Skiles was united in marriage to Miss Addie S. Rude,
daughter of Captain Willis Rude of Covington, Kentucky, in which place Mrs.
Skiles was born and reared.  Their union has been blessed by the birth of
four children: Howard Gayle, Walter Edward, Oliver Raymond and Dimple
(deceased).  The eldest son, Howard Gayle Skiles married Miss Allie May
Fawkes, of Shelbyville.  He has great native ability and has made rapid
progress as a banker.  When he was nineteen years of age he was elected
cashier of the Citizen's Bank at Pekin, Indiana, which position he now
holds.  The two other sons are associated with their father in the Peoples'
State Bank.
     Oliver Hayden Skiles may be reckoned as a representative citizen. His
career is an inspiring one, for he began at the bottom of the ladder and
his progress upward has been made by his own efforts, for the has not been
dependent upon helping hands.

Skiles Hulette Babbitt Rude Fawkes
=
Moxley-Owen-KY Shelbyville-Shelby-KY Covington-Kenton-KY IN VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/franklin/skiles.oh.txt