WILLIAM S. DYCUS, of the firm of S. H. Cassidy & Co., was born July 5, 1858, in Dycusburg, Crittenden County., Ky., and is a son of William E. and Louisa (Cassidy) Dycus. The father was a native of Tennessee; came to Dycusburg at an early day, and engaged in mercantile business, in connection with which, during the war, he was joint owner in a large steamboat line on the Cumberland, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers; was eminently successful in his business career, amassing a large competence by industry, good management and economy, having started in life with no capital but personal energy and a determination to succeed. By trade he was a carpenter, and as such erected many of the now old residences of Eddyville and vicinity. He died some years ago. His wife was a devoted, consistent member of the Methodist Church, and lived an exemplary and pure life. They left three children: Mollie, who married Samuel L. Yancey, a dry goods merchant of Dycusburg; she is deceased; William S., the second child; and Frank B., who is connected in the tobacco business with his brother, in the firm of Cassidy & Co. William S. was reared in Dycusburg, attended school there, and by the improvement of his opportunities secured a thorough business education. At fifteen years of age he began as salesman for Cassidy & Gellatly of that place, working in the store during the summer, and attending school in the winter. Under the instruction of Mr. Gellatly he secured a thorough knowledge of book-keeping. In connection with the store, the firm continued a commission business of which branch of trade Mr. Dycus had almost the exclusive charge. He continued thus engaged about five years, then entered the business under the firm name of Cassidy & Co., and has since continued under the same firm name and style. They are extensively engaged in tobacco and grain, also in wagons, buggies and agricultural implements, doing an extensive business in Kuttawa and Dycusburg, of which W. B. Dycus has full control and management of the business at Kuttawa, Ky., at which latter point is located the main office. Mr. Dycus is yet a young man of set sterling business qualities, and high personal standing, and bids fair to occupy in business and social circles a leading position, not only in his community, but throughout western Kentucky. In June 27, 1882, he married in Paducah, Ky., Bobbie P. Paine, daughter of T. P. and Mary K. (Cassidy) Paine. They are the parents of two children: May L. and Edward Haward. He is a member of the K. of H., and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 852-853.