Frederick Henry Skinner1,2

Family Chart
ID# 2574, (1815 - 1893)
FatherDr. Henry Skinner3,4,5 (12 Aug 1785 - 23 Jun 1819)
MotherAurelia Lyon6,3,4 (27 May 1790 - 22 Sep 1821)

Key Events:

Birth: 22 Jun 1815, Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky7,8,9
Marriage: 26 Jul 1843, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Helen M. Catlett (Jun 1822 - 2 Feb 1902)10,11,12,13
Death: 6 Apr 189314
Burial: Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky14

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Frederick Henry Skinner was born on 22 Jun 1815 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.7,8,9
     He was named an heir in the will of his father, Dr. Henry Skinner dated 10 Jun 1819 in Eddyville, to receive an equal share, with his mother and sister, of the personal property, land and negros and half his mother's share at her death.15

Orphaned at an Early Age --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     His father died on 23 Jun 1819, when Frederick was 4 years old.16,17,18 After his father's death was reared by his uncle, Matthew Lyon, who sent him to the country schools, and afterward to Princeton, where he obtained a competent business education. After that, until becoming of age, he was a bookkeeper and salesman for the firm of Lyon & Cobb.4
     Frederick was named an heir in the will of his mother, Aurelia Lyon, dated 15 Sep 1821, to receive, equally with his sister, all property other than the negro girl Jane.6
     His mother died on 22 Sep 1821, when Frederick was 6 years old.19,20,21
     Frederick was one of the three relatives his uncle, Matthew Lyon Jr., in his will dated 22 Dec 1834, recommended his widow to seek advice from. He asked Frederick specifically to extend to his children "protection, love, and solicitude for their welfare."22

Entering Business with his Uncle --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     He and his uncle Chittenden Lyon formed the firm of Lyon & Skinner about 1836, the senior member being Lyon. At twenty-one Frederick went East and purchased a stock of goods for the new firm.4 Frederick and Chittenden built a large brick building on a part of lot No. 12 in Eddyville, which was owned by Chittenden and Caleb Clark Cobb. On 17 Jan 1841 Frederick purchased Caleb's half interest in the land for $100.23 On 28 Jun 1839 his uncle, Chittenden Lyon executed a codicil to his will, naming Frederick as his executor.24
     With the death of Chittenden in 1842, Frederick assumed control of the entire business of Lyon & Skinner, including its heavy mail contracts. He provided a daily instead of a tri-weekly mail, as called for in the contract, running very successfully a line of four-horse coaches on the route between Smithland and Nashville, besides many other mail contracts throughout the First Congressional District. He sold those contracts at the completion of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, in 1860.4,25
     Frederick married Helen M. Catlett, daughter of Thomas Washington Catlett and Isabella Field Helm, on 26 Jul 1843 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.10,11,12,13
     Frederick and Helen appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky, enumerated 14 Sep 1850, reporting real estate valued at $1,700. Their children Thomas, Isabella and Aurelia were listed as living with them, as were his sister, Beulah Lyon Skinner, and two of his mother's brother Mathew's sons, Matthew Martin Lyon and Gen. Hylan Benton Lyon. There were also 20 slaves, aged 8 months to 72 years. Frederick is shown as a hotel keeper, and there are nine other apparently permanent residents listed as well, including the future portrait painter James Thomas Poindexter.26,27

Establishing a Profession in Law --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     In 1854 he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar the following year. The same year he was elected county judge, a position he held for sixteen years. He also served as town trustee, and was a justice of the peace when the county was first organized in 1854.4,28
     Frederick and Helen appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 10 Jul 1860, reporting real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate of $53,195. Their children Thomas, Isabella, Aurelia, Marion, Helen and Giles were listed as living with them, as were his sister Beulah, her brother James, and her sister Letitia and her husband William W. Pinner. He reported owning 10 slaves, in 2 slave houses, with two reported as fugitives from the state.29,30
     After retiring from the judgeship he gave his attention more to his business enterprises, doing a general brokerage business and dealing in agricultural implements. He also owned a fine 1,200 acre farm property in the county, and a large amount of town property.4,31,32 He purchased the ware house in Eddyville long owned by the Cobb family on 17 Nov 1869, for $3,000.33
     Frederick and Helen appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 4 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $12,000 and personal estate of $38,000. Their children Aurelia and Hylan were listed as living with them, as was his sister Beulah.34
     Frederick and Helen appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 29 Jun 1880. Their son Hylan was listed as living with them, as was his sister Beulah, and two servants, Minnie L. Young, age 9, and Cassie Stacey, age 18.35
     Frederick died on 6 Apr 1893 at age 77.14 He was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky.14

Children:
     Children with Helen M. Catlett

Frederick and Helen had three additional children whose names are unknown, all apparently died while very young.41
  • Thomas Catlett Skinner36,37,38 (14 Jun 1844 - 9 Jun 1910)
  • Isabella Skinner36,37,38 (abt 1848 - abt 1861)
  • Aurelia Skinner36,37,38 (Sep 1849 - 2 Oct 1928)
  • Marion Skinner37 (abt 1856 - abt 1860)
  • Helen M. Skinner37 (abt 1858 - abt 1863)
  • Giles L. Skinner37 (abt Feb 1860 - abt Nov 1860)
  • Hylan Lyon Skinner39,35,40 (23 Feb 1863 - 22 Dec 1939)

Citations

  1. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, A:392, Aurelia Skinner will, 15 Sep 1821, shows name as Frederick Henry Skinner.
  2. [S2309] Lyon County Historical Society, Cemeteries of Lyon County, pg 276, shows name as Frederick Henry Skinner.
  3. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, A:332-3, Henry Skinner will, 10 Jun 1819, shows him as one of "our children."
  4. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 864.
  5. [S8598] "Maryland Letter Box," letter from Mrs. J. H. C., Beacon Ridge, Anne Arundel Co, Maryland, The Sun, 13 Oct 1907.
  6. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, A:392, Aurelia Skinner will, 15 Sep 1821.
  7. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 864, shows date, town, and state.
  8. [S1827] F. H. Skinner household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows age 34, county, and state.
  9. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:30-1, Mathew Lyon Will, 18 Feb 1839, in an attached request to his brother Chittenden regarding closing his accounts as gardian of the Skinner children, states Freric will be of age on 22 Jun 1836.
  10. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 865, shows date, as 16 Jun 1842.
  11. [S2704] "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979," FamilySearch.org, citing FHL #851644, shows date, as 26 Jul 1843, county, and state.
  12. [S1827] F. H. Skinner household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  13. [S7590] Will Book, Lyon Co., Kentucky, 1:84-6, will of Thomas W. Catlett, 28 Jun 1880, shows her name as Mrs. Helen Skinner.
  14. [S2309] Lyon County Historical Society, Cemeteries of Lyon County, pg 276.
  15. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, A:332-3, Henry Skinner will, 10 Jun 1819.
  16. [S8596] Dr. Henry Skinner obituary, American Farmer, shows date, as 23, town, state, and cause of death.
  17. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 26582043, Dr Henry Skinner, shows date, as 23rd, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  18. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 864, shows date, as 22nd.
  19. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 134567792, Aurelia Lyon Skinner, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  20. [S826] Lyon letter to Witherell, 5 Apr 1828, shows she died about nine months before their father.
  21. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, A:392, Aurelia Skinner will, 15 Sep 1821, showing will dated 15 Sep 1821, proved in the Oct 1821 term of the Court, and recorded 22 Oct 1821.
  22. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:30-1, Mathew Lyon Will, 18 Feb 1839.
  23. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, K:63, Caleb C. Cobb to Frederich H. Skinner, $100 for ½ interest in part of lot #12 in Eddyville, on which Skinner and Lyon had erected a large brick building.
  24. [S875] Wills, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, B:57-9, Chittenden Lyon Will, 21 Nov 1842.
  25. [S1827] F. H. Skinner household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as hotel keeper.
  26. [S1827] F. H. Skinner household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  27. [S1748] F. H. Skinner, owner, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  28. [S1815] Frederich H. Skinner household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as lawyer and county judge.
  29. [S1815] Frederich H. Skinner household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
  30. [S1679] F. H. Skinner, owner, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  31. [S573] Fred Skinner household, 1870 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as com. merchant.
  32. [S3082] F. H. Skinner household, 1880 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as commission merchant.
  33. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, D:96-8, Joshua C. Cobb and Willis B. Machen to Frederick H. Skinner, 18 Nov 1869.
  34. [S573] Fred Skinner household, 1870 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
  35. [S3082] F. H. Skinner household, 1880 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
  36. [S1827] F. H. Skinner household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  37. [S1815] Frederich H. Skinner household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows them in the same household, apparently as parent and child.
  38. [S4543] Battle, Perrin and Kniffin, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 865.
  39. [S573] Fred Skinner household, 1870 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  40. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Hylan Lyon Skinner, Soc. Sec. No. 568-14-5800.
  41. [S3083] Aurelia Bartley household, 1900 U.S. Census, St. Louis City, Missouri, shows her as the mother of 10 children, with 3 living.