A MELVIN H. SYKES PORTRAIT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF - Melvin Hatcher Sykes

Several years ago I told the story of Mabel Huxley Sykes who Rudolph Valentino said was his favorite photographer:

https://undereverytombstone.blogspot.com/2013/06/she-was-rudolph-valentino-favorite.html

While doing research about Mabel Sykes I found that she had been married at one time to another professional photographer - Melvin Hatcher Sykes.   

At the time of her divorce from Melvin Sykes, the Chicago Tribune in its edition from August 27, 1914 printed an article about the oft-married Melvin Sykes:

At the time of the article, Sykes had been married four times, and had lined up a candidate for wife #5.  

Before we look further into the life and work of award-winning photographer Melvin Sykes, let's see what we can "dig up" about him:

Melvin Hatcher Sykes was born February 17, 1869 in Petersburg, Virginia, to Gustavus Adolphus Sykes (1831-1872) and his wife Katherine Ann "Kate" Robertson (1837-1879).  Gustavus and Kate were married on October 8, 1856 in Petersburg, Virginia.  They were blessed with ten children:   Gustavus A. Sykes, Jr. (1857-1888), Martha Elizabeth "Mattie" Sykes-Mrs. William R. Smith (1859-1927), Thomas Skinner Sykes (1861-1864), William Benjamin Sykes (1863-1863), Annie Marie Sykes (1864-1864), James O. "Jimmie" Sykes (1866-1869), Samuel Henry Sykes (1867-1869), Melvin Hatcher Sykes (1869-1949), Edward W. (Patrick) Sykes (1870-1871) and Kate Amanda Sykes (1871-1872).

Gustavus Sykes started out as a Printer, and ended up as the Editor of the local newspaper in Petersburg, Virginia.  

Melvin Sykes makes his first appearance in the 1870 US Census.  The family was living in the "3rd Ward of the City of Petersburg, Virginia."   The family consisted of Gustavus (38 years old), and Catherine (32), and children Gustavus (12), Martha (11), Melvin (2), and Patrick (1/12). 

Many changes had taken place for young Melvin by the time the 1880 US Census came along.  By 1880 both his father and mother were dead:  Gustavus in 1872 and Kate in 1879.  Furthermore, in 1880 his older brother Gustavus, Jr. was a patient at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg where he was judged as "Insane" and could no longer read or write.  Melvin and his sister Mattie (Martha) were living with their uncle Melvin A. Martin in Petersburg, Virginia.  Melvin reported that he was seventeen years old and was attending school.

The 1890 US Census for that part of the country is lost.

We do know, however what Melvin Sykes was doing in 1890 - he was getting married - for the first time.  The Washington, D.C. Evening Star from June 17, 1890 reported that M.H. Sykes of Richmond, Virginia and Miss Mary E. Maloney had applied for a Marriage License:

and records indicate that they did get married in Washington on June 16th, 1890.  The groom was twenty-one; the bride was twenty-four.  This was the first and only time Melvin Sykes would marry a woman older than he was.  

Melvin Sykes and Mary Maloney Sykes were blessed with two children:  Henry S. Sykes (1892-????) and Mary Gertrude "Mamie" Sykes (1893-1982).

The Wheeling (WV) Daily Register for June 10, 1892 reported the arrival of Melvin Sykes and his photography business:

Melvin Sykes' photography business also shows up in the Wheeling, West Virginia Directory for 1892.  Sykes is listed as the manager and operator of the Parsons' Gallery at 1205 Market Street.

The site is now a pizzeria.

Melvin Sykes photography business in the Parsons' Gallery started out very well.  He advertised frequently in the local newspapers, always promising "artistic results." and "high class work.  Here is his ad from the Wheeling (WV) Daily Register for July 13, 1892:

But by the end of 1892 a problem had turned up.  This is from the Wheeling (WV) Daily Register for December 23, 1892:

This matter appears to have been cleared up satisfactorily with no further mention of it in the local newspapers.  Throughout 1892 and 1893 Sykes is continually praised by the local press.  Terms were used to describe him such as "a photographic artist," and "one of the best operators in the country."

Sykes' first wife, Mary E. Maloney Sykes died August 18, 1893 of consumption at the home of her uncle at Ft. Louis, Virginia.  

This appeared in the Wheeling (WV) Register on August 20, 1893:  

This is from the Staunton (VA) Spectator from August 23, 1893:

The fact that her husband Melvin Sykes was not mentioned in her Death Notices suggests that Sykes and his wife were separated when she died.  Her Death Notice said she was buried in Bath County, Virginia, but I was unable to find any burial information for her.

Life went on for Melvin Sykes but now he also had two children to care for - however the records indicate that he did not care for them.  The 1900 US Census shows both Henry and Mamie Sykes living with Mary's parents, Michael and Anna Maloney at their home in Washington, D.C. 

By 1896 newspapers reported that Sykes was now working for L. C. O'Neill's Photograph Gallery in Wheeling, West Virginia.  They continue to praise his artistic talent and abilities.

On April 18, 1897 Melvin Sykes married Rose E. Neel (1876-1977) in Washington, D.C.  The groom was twenty-eight; the bride was twenty-one.  Rose Neel was said to have been a "water-color artist."

I tried many different searches but could not find Melvin Sykes in the 1900 Census.  I might never have found him, but luckily I also did a search of the 1900 Census for his wife Rose, and that's how I found them both.  The Census Enumerator came to the Sykes household on June 7, 1900.  

The 1900 US Census reflects a lot of changes for Melvin Sykes and his wife.  First of all, they are no longer in Virginia, or even Washington, D.C.  The 1900 Census shows them living as "Boarder(s)" at #90 Exchange Street in Memphis, Tennessee.   (That address no longer exists).  Melvin is now calling himself "Hatcher Sykes" using his middle name.  The census taker heard it as "Natches" Sykes.  He said he was born in Pennsylvania (he was born in Virginia) in February of 1870 (it was February 17, 1869).  He does report his occupation as "Photographer," and correctly reports that he and Rose have been married for three years.

Rose said she was born in April, 1876 in Pennsylvania (correct), that she was been married three years and has no children (both correct).

Neither Melvin, Hatcher or Natches Sykes shows up in the 1900 City Directory for Memphis, Tennessee.  Nor is he listed under "Photographers."  He was, however mentioned in the Memphis (TN) Commercial Appeal from August 12, 1900:

By 1902, Melvin Sykes' life has substantially changed again.  He left Memphis and moved to Chicago, and somewhere along the way he and his second wife Rose Neel Sykes were divorced.

In Chicago he decided it was time for a fresh start.  First he got a job working for Morrison the Photographer at 126 State Street and then for the Gibson Art Galleries at 195 Wabash in downtown Chicago.  When he was ready to open his own studio he rented space in the McVickers Theater Building:

And it was time for a new marriage as well.  We don't know where or when Mabel Huxley met the dashing Melvin Sykes but we do know that the nineteen year old Mabel married the thirty-seven year old Melvin on July 21, 1902 in Waukegan, Illinois.  This was the first marriage for Miss Huxley; the third for Mr. Sykes.  

Here's a photo of the newlyweds at the time of their marriage:

Mabel and Melvin Sykes

Since Melvin Sykes was already an established award-winning photographer when they married, it is safe to say that Mabel Sykes learned the photography trade from her husband.  They set up shop together in downtown Chicago.  Here's a photo of Mabel that Melvin submitted to a trade publication in 1911:

Melvin Sykes earned recognition and won awards all over the United States.  This is from 1910:

The 1910 US Census finds Melvin and Mabel Sykes living at 3700 North Pine Grove Avenue in Chicago.  

3700 N. Pine Grove Avenue, Chicago

The family consisted of  Melvin (38 years old - he was 41), and Mabel (27).  They said they were renting their apartment, had been married for seven years and had no children.  Melvin said he was "Proprietor of a Photograph Gallery," and Mabel was the "Office Manager of a Photograph Gallery."  Mabel said that this was her first marriage (which it was) and Melvin said this was also his first marriage when it was actually his third.

Melvin often featured photos of Mabel in his exhibits as indicated here in the Chicago Inter-Ocean from May 07, 1911:

and here from the Chicago Examiner newspaper of January 10, 1913:

Although a success as a photographer, unfortunately Melvin Sykes had a roving eye.  Mabel divorced him in April of 1914, but won the right to continue to use the name "Mabel Sykes" because she had been using that name professionally, as she built up a reputation as a photographer in her own right.  After the divorce she set up a studio at 140 North State Street and went into business for herself, under the name of Mabel Sykes.

Going forward from their split, Melvin Sykes labelled his photos as "Photo by Sykes," whereas his former wife used "Photo by Mabel Sykes."

One of the requirements of the Divorce Decree was that Melvin Sykes not remarry for a period of two years.  But you can't stop love.  Melvin Homer Sykes (1914-2005) was born in Chicago on March 23, 1914 even before Melvin Sr's marriage from Mabel Huxley Sykes was dissolved.  His parents were Melvin H. Sykes, Sr. and Marguerite (sometimes referred to as "Margaret") Merker.  In future years he reported his date of birth as March 23, 1915 instead of 1914.

Even though Melvin Hatcher Sykes was to refrain from remarrying for two years, that did not stop him.  As I said you can't stop love, so on July 9, 1914 Melvin H. Sykes and Marguerite Merker went down to Logansport in Cass County, Indiana and were married.  It was the first marriage for Miss Merker and the fourth marriage for Mr. Sykes - or was it?  Let's take a look at the records for both the bride and the groom.  First, the bride:

The only questionable item on her part of the Marriage Record is her Date of Birth.  She was born September 29, 1890, but reported it as 1893, so she shaved three years off her age - not the most serious of untrue statements.  Let's see how Mr. Sykes' part of the record holds up to scrutiny:

First off:  Marital Status:  Widowed.  Technically he was a widower from his first marriage to Mary Mahoney, but he had two marriages subsequent to that, both of which ended in divorce.

Birth Date:  He said February 17, 1874.  It was actually February 17, 1869, so he shaved five years off his age.  He reported his Marriage Age as "40" when it was actually 45.  Marguerite Merker must have known about Mabel Huxley Sykes - she and Melvin were in business together.  Do you suppose he ever told her about the second Mrs. Sykes:  Rose Neel?

The article at the beginning of this story is from the Chicago Tribune dated August 27, 1914.  Among other things, the article claims that Melvin H. Sykes has proposed to yet another girl, seventeen year old Helen Daegling.  Here are the pertinent parts of the Tribune article concerning Mr. Sykes and Miss Daegling:

Meets Schoolgirl.

Mr. Sykes met Miss Daegling when she came home from school with Mary Sykes, his daughter.

"He took a fancy to my little girl," said Mrs. Daegling, "and he raved over her beauty and took her pictures."

One of these photographs was awarded first prize at a photographers' exhibition in Peoria last July.

Sykes showered flowers and candy upon Miss Daegling, who is five years younger than his daughter, and took her for automobile rides.  Miss Daegling told about it last night.

"I was engaged to him," she said, "and he gave me a diamond ring and introduced me as his future wife."

Gives Back the Ring.

"I liked him quite a bit, and we had some good times together.  But mama and my other relations didn't like him.  They said he was a bad man and begged me to give him up.  I finally came to see they were right, so I gave him back his ring and broke the engagement.

Mr. Sykes denied that he even knew Miss Daegling when a reporter questioned him about the affair.

So, during the time he was fathering a child with, and then marrying Marguerite Merker he was courting Helen Daegling "just in case."  He told Helen he was "a widower," which of course he was, but he neglected to mention his two subsequent marriages: to Miss Rose Neel and Miss Mabel Huxley, both of which ended in divorce.

Melvin Hatcher Sykes and Marguerite Merker Sykes were blessed with a second son, Homer Melvin Sykes (1916-1993) who was born in Evanston, Illinois on March 9, 1916.  

There were some questions as to the validity of the marriage of Melvin Sykes to Marguerite Merker.  The Divorce Decree from his marriage to Mabel Huxley had forbidden him from remarrying for a period of two years.  Just to clear up any potential problems they decided to get married again - this time in Illinois.  So, on April 17, 1916 Melvin Hatcher Sykes re-married Marguerite Merker, as reported in the Chicago Tribune of March 18, 1916:

Life went on for Melvin Sykes and his family.  Melvin continued to run his photography studio but added something to his advertisements.  This ad is from the Chicago Eagle newspaper from July 14, 1917:

  

As you can see, he added "The original and only Sykes making pictures in Chicago."

By 1919, Melvin Sykes and his family had had enough of Chicago, so they moved to Los Angeles, California.

The 1920 US Census finds them living in a house at 1712 West 39th Street in Los Angeles:

1712 W. 39th Street, Los Angeles, California

The family consisted of Melvin (44 years old - he was 50), Margaret (30), "daughter" Melvin H. (4 6/12 - he was 6) and son Homer (3 0/12 - he was 4).  Melvin said he was a "Photographer."

Life for Melvin Sykes quieted down quite a bit once he and his family settled in Los Angeles.  He still occasionally showed up in the newspaper in connection with his photography like this from the Los Angeles Times of January 28, 1922:

or this from the L.A. Evening Express of March 4, 1922:

His studio was in the Brack Shops Building at 527 W. 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles.
  

In the late 1920s Melvin Sykes and his family left Los Angeles and relocated to San Diego.  The 1930 US Census found the Sykes family living at 4620 Mission Avenue in San Diego:

4620 Mission Avenue, San Diego, California

  

The family consisted of Melvin (54 - he was 61), Margaret (36 - she was 40), Melvin H., Jr. (15 - he was 16), and Homer M. (13 - he was 14).  They were renting their home for $40.00 per month.  They did own a radio.  For "Age at First Marriage" Melvin and Margaret both said 19.  Melvin was 21 at the time of his first marriage; Margaret was 23.  Melvin listed his occupation as "Portrait Photographer."  Margaret said she was an "Office Clerk" in a "Photo Shop."  Their sons were at school.  

Melvin Sykes and his entire family did make the newspapers in 1933 when they provided the alibi for a self-confessed murderer in the Dalbert Aposhian murder case:

The 1940 US Census shows now "empty nesters" Melvin and Margaret Sykes still living in the same house at 4620 Mission Avenue in San Diego.  They said they now owned the house and it was worth $3,100 ($66,000 in today's funds).  Melvin said he was 71 years old (he actually was 71!!!), Margaret said she was 45 (she was 50).  Melvin said the farthest he had gone in school was the 3rd grade; Margaret had one year of college.  They both listed their occupations as "Photographer," but their Income as $0.  

Melvin Hatcher Sykes died June 22, 1949.  He was eighty years old.  Here is his obituary from the San Diego (CA) Union from June 24, 1949:

"Survivors are two sons...and four grandchildren."  Where was his wife Marguerite?  She didn't die until 1977.  Had they separated between the 1940 Census and 1949?  It appears they had.  There is also no mention of his two children from his first marriage.  I could not find the death record for his son Henry S. Sykes, but his daughter Mamie did not die until 1982.

Melvin Sykes was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego:

When Marguerite Merker Sykes died in 1977 she was not buried next to Melvin - she was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego.  Was her correct first name "Marguerite" or "Margaret?"  We may never know because her tombstone says "Marge."

A friend of mine died several years ago.  She said about herself, "I liked men and men liked me."  I think that sentiment would be appropriate for Melvin Sykes as well.

Melvin Hatcher Sykes - he liked women and women liked him.  May he rest in peace.