Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 263

William Tyson, resident on section 18, Clyde Township, has been a farmer where he is now located for more than 30 years, having entered his claim in 1854. He was born April 15, 1824, in Lancastershire, England. John Tyson, his father, was a native of Yorkshire and was a cutler by trader, having learned that business in Sheffield, where he was born. He married Martha Wilby, who was born in the same city, and a few years later they went to Lancastershire, where he was employed in the mills. In 1845 the father, mother and four younger children came to the United States, landing at the port of New York. They left two children in England. They father died 18 days after reaching New York, and the family were supported some time by the efforts of the sons.

Mr. Tyson was occupied in various ways until he went to New Jersey, where he was employed in farm labor, and he went thence to Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa. From there he returned to the city of New York, whence, after a brief stay, he proceeded to Connecticut. In his native country he had acquired and followed the business of a cotton-twister in the factories of the place where he was born, in which he was occupied from 12 to 20 years of age. When he left his native land he brought away with him a determination never to work in a factory, to which resolution he faithfully adhered.

On coming to Illinois he fixed on Whiteside County as a suitable place to locate, and he bought 74 acres of land situated near the farm of John Sykes, his brother-in-law. (See sketch). The place was unimproved, and the entire acreage is still in his possession, all of which is under cultivation and supplied with necessary and suitable buildings.

Mr. Tyson was married May 19, 1851, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Mary Sykes. She was born Oct. 28, 1822, in Yorkshire, England, and lived in her native country until after the death of her mother. She came to America in 1847, and from that time until her marriage she maintained herself. She has been the mother of nine children, two of whom are deceased. Josephine W. is married and has one child, Mary L.  Mary S. married George W. Holcomb, a livery man at Morrison, Whiteside Co., Ill. Alice S. is the wife of Paul Remkes, a farmer in Colorado. Hattie E. married Frank W. White, and resides at Idaho Springs, Col. Charles W. is the next in order of birth and lives at Miller, Hand Co., D.T. George H. lives in Colorado. Olive P. is a teacher in the public schools of Whiteside County. Sarah and Ira J. died in infancy.

Mr. Tyson is a Republican in political faith.