The Elkes Biscuits factory, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, employs some 1,600 people. It began as a small family business run by Charles Henry Elkes, Baker and Confectioner, in a shop in Carter Street around 1908 and later at 1 High Street. This was so successful that in 1928 they opened the Dove Valley Bakeries, producing Elkes Malted Milk and London Assorted biscuits, by which time the business was C.H. Elkes and Sons Ltd, Biscuit and Cake manufacturers. A subsidiary was the Dove Valley Cafe, and another, Elkes Cafe Ltd at 3 High Street, in 1932 was run by Wilfred Ernest Elkes, son of the founder. A grandson of Charles Henry Elkes, Francis Henry Elkes, was killed in 1944 while serving in the Royal Navy.

Charles Henry Elkes was the son of Henry Elkes, a master baker. Henry Elkes, born in 1834, came from Wem, Shropshire and was himself a master baker, though his father was a farmer.

1. Charles Henry Elkes, born in Newport, Shropshire in 1860; died in Uttoxeter in 1929. He was the son of 2. Henry Elkes and 3. ------ -----He married in Knighton, Staffs in 1885.

2. Henry Elkes, baptised in Noble Street Presbyterian Church, Wem, Shropshire on 27 March 1834; died in Newport, Shropshire in 1903. In 1881 his occupation was master baker. He was the son of 4. Thomas Elkes and 5. Sarah Dudlestone. He was married three times, 3a Mary(?) ------ in Oswestry in 1858, 3b. Sarah(?) ------ in Newport in 1862 and 3c. Ann ------ in Newport in 1879.

3c. Ann ------, born in Newport, Shropshire circa 1839.

4. Thomas Elkes, farmer, baptised at Wem on 22 September 1804; died in Wem in 1867. He was the son of 8. Thomas Elkes and 9. Margaret Hughes. He married 5. Sarah Dudleston at Wem on 16 July 1833.

5. Sarah Dudlestone, born circa 1810 in Hanmer, Flintshire; died in Newport, Shropshire in 1899.

8. Thomas Elkes, born circa 1775. He married 9. Margaret Hughes at Ellesmere on 28 April 1800. Either he was the son of Hannah Elks, baptised in Wem on 30 November 1774 or he was the son of Thomas Elks and Margaret Snape, baptised at Wem on 14 January 1776 (who were married in Wem on 29 September 1772). Both Hannah and Thomas were children of 32. Edward Elks and 33. Ann Jones, baptised on 1 January 1754 and 25 March 1750 respectively.

9. Margaret Hughes, born circa 1775.

Edward Elkes 1801 -
Susanna Elkes 1802 -
Thomas Elkes 1804 - 1867
William Elkes 1806 -
John Elkes 1810
Margaret Elkes 1811 -

32. Edward Elks, labourer, born circa 1720; buried in Wem on 4 June 1776. He married 33. Ann Jones at Wem on 26 April 1746

33. Ann Jones, born circa 1720; buried in Wem on 4 September 1770

John Elks 1746 -
Thomas Elks 1750
Mary Elks 1751 -
Hannah Elks 1754 -

EDWARD ELKS OF WEM