Son of Joseph Sikes (1837-1887) and Susan Rowe (1846-1931).

Appears in the 1880 Federal Census of Precinct 8, Nassau County, Florida with his parents and siblings. The household included: Josiah Sikes, age 40, born in Florida; Susan, age 24, born in Georgia; Thomas, age 8, born in Florida, Rachal, age 6, born in Florida; Thaddeus, age 4, born in Florida; and Jesse, age 1, born in Florida.

He married Martha Ellender Howard and they had at least five children. Martha was the daughter of Lucretia Sellers Howard Batten and John David Howard.

He appears in the 1910 Federal Census of Nassau County, Florida with his wife and children. The household included: Jesse E Sikes, age 31, born in Florida to parents from Florida, a farmer; Mattie E, age 28, born in Georgia to parents from Georgia; Verdie L Sikes, born in Florida; and Charles E, age 5, born in Florida.

When he registered for the draft in 1918 in Hilliard, Florida, he was observed as being medium height and slender with blue eyes and dark hair. He gave his full name as Jessie Edward Sikes and his next of kin as Mattie Eleanor Sikes of Hilliard. He gave his birthdate as June 17, 1879.

He appears in the 1920 Federal Census of Fernandina, Nassau County, Florida with his wife and children and with Nettie Batton. The household included: Jesse Sikes, age 41, Mattie, age 38; Verlie, age 17; Effinger, age 15; Annice, age 9; Gibson, age 6; Mattie, age 2; and Nettie Batton, age 16, sister, born in Georgia to Georgia parents.

In the 1930 Federal Census of Nassau County, Jesse has remarried and is living with his new wife and children and his mother. The household included: Jessie E Sikes, age 50, a farmer born in Florida to parents from Florida; Nettie, age 26, his wife, born in Georgia to parents from Georgia; Gibson, age 17, born in Florida to a father from Florida and a mother from Georgia; Nettie J., age 12; Allen, age 9; Susie L, age 5; Dorris, age 3; Blanch, age 1; and Susan Blake, age 75, his widowed mother, born in Florida to parents from Florida.

In the 1940 Federal Census of Nassau County, he and his family are living on a farm. The household included: Jessie E Sikes, age 60, born in Florida; Nettie, age 37, born in Georgia; Susie Lee, age 14, born in Florida; Dorris, age 13; Blanche, age 11; Robert, age 9; MacDonnell, age 7; Johnie E, age 5; Jimmie, age 3; and Albert, age 1.