pioneer, coal mine owner
Tnomas S. Silvis, farmer and coal operator in Hampton Township, and Deputy Sheriff of Rock Island County, was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His parents, John and Elizabeth Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Hampton Township, where they lived up to 1880, going thence to Vernon Co., Missouri.
Thomas was brought up on a farm, and when the weather was unfit for outdoor labor, was sent to the common schools. However, he was not of that class of men that have to have learning pounded into them with a club; he knew he was destined to work for a living, and that if he acquired any education it would be by improving such opportunities as he had.
This was philosophy, and there has been a good deal of that valuable commodity displaying itself in him from time to time through life. In 1859, in company with others, he started for Pike's Peak; but, before petting half way from their starting point, Mr. Silvis found that with his comrades the "gold fever" was waning, so he accepted employment with some parties bound for the Pacific slope, and accompanied them into Utah Territory.
Returning home through Nebraska, he bought a large tract of land in that Territory, and held it until its natural appreciation in value made it desirable. In 1862 he was at Coaltown in the grocery business, which he abandoned a year or two later and purchased a farm in his old township, and for the succeeding ten years was engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In 1874 the Democrats surprised themselves by electing their man for Sheriff, and Mr. Silvis was immediately brought down from the country and installed in the office as First Deputy. In
1876, in convention assembled, the Democratic party by acclamation tendered him the nomination for Sheriff. For satisfactory reasons, probably the greater interests of his farm, he declined. Such unanimity of sentiment in his party, and coming right upon the latter end of his two years deputyship, was, to say the least, flattering; but he sought no office and returned to his agricultural pursuits.
In 1883 his party was again successful, and the first thing that Sheriff Reticker did after being inducted into office, was to impress Mr. Silvis into his service as Chief Deputy. This brief recital of simple facts requires no comment at the hands of his biographer. Conclusions are left to the readers.
Mr. Silvis has served his neighbors six years as their Commissioner of Highways, one term as Township Collector, three terms as Supervisor, and as School Director for years. He is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 319, A. F. & A. M.
Feb. 27, 1862, he was united in marriage, at Moline, to Miss Margaret Greer, and their children are named respectively : Henrietta, Sarah, Louisa (Mrs. Ralph Babcock), Richard S., John C. and James M.
(Source: Rock Island County Biographical Record, 1885)
Thomas Sharp Silvis, of the firm of Silvis Bros., dealers in coal at Hampton, came to Hampton Township in 1854. He was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His younger days were passed on the farm, performing such labor as was common to farmer's sons of the time and locality in which he resided.
The parents of Mr. Silvis were John and Elizabeth (Coon) Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Rock Island in 1854 with his family, and settled in Pleasant Valley, Hampton Township. Thomas S. Silvis owns, in partnership with his brother, 300 acres in Hampton Township, the major portion of it being coal land. Mr. Silvis formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Greer who came from Ireland.
********
Elizabeth Silvis #683 and Her Brothers by Martha Heinrichs
(http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~marier/Index.htm)
The following will give you a very brief sketch of my Silvis family. My grandmother grew up in Rock Island County, Illinois, with her Silvis relatives. Her grandmother was #683 Elizabeth Silvis. My grandmother knew her great uncles on the Silvis side and they were known as Uncle Ship (#686 Richard Shippen Silvis), Uncle Sharp (#687 Thomas Sharp Silvis) and Uncle Squire (#688 Joseph Robinson Silvis). My grandmother always said that she was raised on "Silvis Tales," not "Fairy Tales" like most children. Uncle Ship's son, #686c Charles Lee Silvis, and Uncle Sharp's son, #687e John Chauncey Silvis, were both dentists. It was the Silvis influence on my grandmother that later in life made her encourage her own two sons to become dentists--which they did.
In 1853, Grandpa Silvis (#223 John) left Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with some of his family members and headed for Rock Island County, Illinois. They arrived there in 1854 and settled in a small area called Pleasant Valley in Hampton Twp. Pleasant Valley was a small community of farmers and coal miners and was on the stage line that ran from Rock Island to Chicago. Later the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad ran through the farm land of this community.
It was in 1905 that the name of Pleasant Valley was changed to "Silvis" in honor of #686, Richard Shippen Silvis, or Uncle Ship. The Town of Silvis, Illinois, is still in existence today. In my 1997 road atlas it says the population is 6,926!
In Pleasant Valley, Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp owned and operated the Silvis Mining Company. They were both highly respected men in their community and both held offices of trust and honor. Uncle Ship's obituary states that he was active in politics and he held office as Road Commissioner and was School Director for many years. Uncle Sharp served his community as Commissioner of Highways, Township Collector, Town Supervisor, member of the School District, and Sheriff. Both brothers were Democrats and members of the Methodist Church.
Uncle Ship's and Uncle Sharp's sister is #683, Elizabeth, who is my ancestor. Elizabeth was married twice and she had eleven children. Her three daughters were school teachers and her son, #683b, William "Billy" Shippen Wining, is my great-grandfather. Billy worked in the coal mining business with his Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp for a number of years. Billy was an industrious, hard-working man and was able to acquire and maintain several farms at the same time in Kansas and Texas. On one of his farms were oil wells and Billy received a royalty check from the oil company each month. After Billy died his monthly royalty check was divided equally among his own children. After their deaths, the checks were passed down to his grandchildren, my mother being one of them. My mother received a royalty check each month for many years after Billy had passed away.
This will give you just a taste of the Rock Island County Silvis family. Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp were influential citizens in their community and they are written up in the Rock Island County histories.
Name: Thos S Silver [Thos S Silvis]
Age in 1860: 19
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Richd S Silver 22
Thos S Silver 19
(Source: 1860 United States Federal Census)
Name: Thomas S Silvis
Gender: Male
Spouse Name: Emma Baas
Marriage Date: 2 Oct 1889
Marriage County: Rock Island
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1428580 - 1428581.
(Source: Illinois, Marriages, 1851-1900)
Name: Thomas Silvis
Residence: Moline, Rock Island, Illinois
Class: 1
Congressional District: 4th
Age on 1 July 1863: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
(Source: U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865)
Name: Tho S Silveus [Tho S Silvis]
Age in 1870: 29
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Tho S Silveus 29
Margaret Silveus 27
Maggie Silveus 10
Etta Silveus 7
Louis Silveus 5
Richard Silveus 2
(Source: 1870 United States Federal Census)
Name: T. S. Silvis
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Margret Silvis
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Cannot read/write:
Blind:
Deaf and dumb:
Otherwise disabled:
Idiotic or insane:
Household Members:
Name Age
T. S. Silvis 39
Margret Silvis 38
Henrietta Silvis 17
Souze Silvis 14
H. S. Silvis 12
John Silvis 9
Milton Silvis 4
(Source: 1880 United States Federal Census)
********
Parents:
John C Silvius
Elizabeth Kuhn Coon
Spouse:
Margaret Greer
Emma Bass
Children:
Henrietta Silvis
Souze Silvis
H. S. Silvis
John Silvis
Milton Silvis
Tnomas S. Silvis, farmer and coal operator in Hampton Township, and Deputy Sheriff of Rock Island County, was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His parents, John and Elizabeth Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Hampton Township, where they lived up to 1880, going thence to Vernon Co., Missouri.
Thomas was brought up on a farm, and when the weather was unfit for outdoor labor, was sent to the common schools. However, he was not of that class of men that have to have learning pounded into them with a club; he knew he was destined to work for a living, and that if he acquired any education it would be by improving such opportunities as he had.
This was philosophy, and there has been a good deal of that valuable commodity displaying itself in him from time to time through life. In 1859, in company with others, he started for Pike's Peak; but, before petting half way from their starting point, Mr. Silvis found that with his comrades the "gold fever" was waning, so he accepted employment with some parties bound for the Pacific slope, and accompanied them into Utah Territory.
Returning home through Nebraska, he bought a large tract of land in that Territory, and held it until its natural appreciation in value made it desirable. In 1862 he was at Coaltown in the grocery business, which he abandoned a year or two later and purchased a farm in his old township, and for the succeeding ten years was engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In 1874 the Democrats surprised themselves by electing their man for Sheriff, and Mr. Silvis was immediately brought down from the country and installed in the office as First Deputy. In
1876, in convention assembled, the Democratic party by acclamation tendered him the nomination for Sheriff. For satisfactory reasons, probably the greater interests of his farm, he declined. Such unanimity of sentiment in his party, and coming right upon the latter end of his two years deputyship, was, to say the least, flattering; but he sought no office and returned to his agricultural pursuits.
In 1883 his party was again successful, and the first thing that Sheriff Reticker did after being inducted into office, was to impress Mr. Silvis into his service as Chief Deputy. This brief recital of simple facts requires no comment at the hands of his biographer. Conclusions are left to the readers.
Mr. Silvis has served his neighbors six years as their Commissioner of Highways, one term as Township Collector, three terms as Supervisor, and as School Director for years. He is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 319, A. F. & A. M.
Feb. 27, 1862, he was united in marriage, at Moline, to Miss Margaret Greer, and their children are named respectively : Henrietta, Sarah, Louisa (Mrs. Ralph Babcock), Richard S., John C. and James M.
(Source: Rock Island County Biographical Record, 1885)
Thomas Sharp Silvis, of the firm of Silvis Bros., dealers in coal at Hampton, came to Hampton Township in 1854. He was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His younger days were passed on the farm, performing such labor as was common to farmer's sons of the time and locality in which he resided.
The parents of Mr. Silvis were John and Elizabeth (Coon) Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Rock Island in 1854 with his family, and settled in Pleasant Valley, Hampton Township. Thomas S. Silvis owns, in partnership with his brother, 300 acres in Hampton Township, the major portion of it being coal land. Mr. Silvis formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Greer who came from Ireland.
********
Elizabeth Silvis #683 and Her Brothers by Martha Heinrichs
(http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~marier/Index.htm)
The following will give you a very brief sketch of my Silvis family. My grandmother grew up in Rock Island County, Illinois, with her Silvis relatives. Her grandmother was #683 Elizabeth Silvis. My grandmother knew her great uncles on the Silvis side and they were known as Uncle Ship (#686 Richard Shippen Silvis), Uncle Sharp (#687 Thomas Sharp Silvis) and Uncle Squire (#688 Joseph Robinson Silvis). My grandmother always said that she was raised on "Silvis Tales," not "Fairy Tales" like most children. Uncle Ship's son, #686c Charles Lee Silvis, and Uncle Sharp's son, #687e John Chauncey Silvis, were both dentists. It was the Silvis influence on my grandmother that later in life made her encourage her own two sons to become dentists--which they did.
In 1853, Grandpa Silvis (#223 John) left Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with some of his family members and headed for Rock Island County, Illinois. They arrived there in 1854 and settled in a small area called Pleasant Valley in Hampton Twp. Pleasant Valley was a small community of farmers and coal miners and was on the stage line that ran from Rock Island to Chicago. Later the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad ran through the farm land of this community.
It was in 1905 that the name of Pleasant Valley was changed to "Silvis" in honor of #686, Richard Shippen Silvis, or Uncle Ship. The Town of Silvis, Illinois, is still in existence today. In my 1997 road atlas it says the population is 6,926!
In Pleasant Valley, Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp owned and operated the Silvis Mining Company. They were both highly respected men in their community and both held offices of trust and honor. Uncle Ship's obituary states that he was active in politics and he held office as Road Commissioner and was School Director for many years. Uncle Sharp served his community as Commissioner of Highways, Township Collector, Town Supervisor, member of the School District, and Sheriff. Both brothers were Democrats and members of the Methodist Church.
Uncle Ship's and Uncle Sharp's sister is #683, Elizabeth, who is my ancestor. Elizabeth was married twice and she had eleven children. Her three daughters were school teachers and her son, #683b, William "Billy" Shippen Wining, is my great-grandfather. Billy worked in the coal mining business with his Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp for a number of years. Billy was an industrious, hard-working man and was able to acquire and maintain several farms at the same time in Kansas and Texas. On one of his farms were oil wells and Billy received a royalty check from the oil company each month. After Billy died his monthly royalty check was divided equally among his own children. After their deaths, the checks were passed down to his grandchildren, my mother being one of them. My mother received a royalty check each month for many years after Billy had passed away.
This will give you just a taste of the Rock Island County Silvis family. Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp were influential citizens in their community and they are written up in the Rock Island County histories.
Name: Thos S Silver [Thos S Silvis]
Age in 1860: 19
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Richd S Silver 22
Thos S Silver 19
(Source: 1860 United States Federal Census)
Name: Thomas S Silvis
Gender: Male
Spouse Name: Emma Baas
Marriage Date: 2 Oct 1889
Marriage County: Rock Island
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1428580 - 1428581.
(Source: Illinois, Marriages, 1851-1900)
Name: Thomas Silvis
Residence: Moline, Rock Island, Illinois
Class: 1
Congressional District: 4th
Age on 1 July 1863: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
(Source: U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865)
Name: Tho S Silveus [Tho S Silvis]
Age in 1870: 29
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Tho S Silveus 29
Margaret Silveus 27
Maggie Silveus 10
Etta Silveus 7
Louis Silveus 5
Richard Silveus 2
(Source: 1870 United States Federal Census)
Name: T. S. Silvis
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Margret Silvis
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Cannot read/write:
Blind:
Deaf and dumb:
Otherwise disabled:
Idiotic or insane:
Household Members:
Name Age
T. S. Silvis 39
Margret Silvis 38
Henrietta Silvis 17
Souze Silvis 14
H. S. Silvis 12
John Silvis 9
Milton Silvis 4
(Source: 1880 United States Federal Census)
********
Parents:
John C Silvius
Elizabeth Kuhn Coon
Spouse:
Margaret Greer
Emma Bass
Children:
Henrietta Silvis
Souze Silvis
H. S. Silvis
John Silvis
Milton Silvis
pioneer, coal mine owner
Tnomas S. Silvis, farmer and coal operator in Hampton Township, and Deputy Sheriff of Rock Island County, was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His parents, John and Elizabeth Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Hampton Township, where they lived up to 1880, going thence to Vernon Co., Missouri.
Thomas was brought up on a farm, and when the weather was unfit for outdoor labor, was sent to the common schools. However, he was not of that class of men that have to have learning pounded into them with a club; he knew he was destined to work for a living, and that if he acquired any education it would be by improving such opportunities as he had.
This was philosophy, and there has been a good deal of that valuable commodity displaying itself in him from time to time through life. In 1859, in company with others, he started for Pike's Peak; but, before petting half way from their starting point, Mr. Silvis found that with his comrades the "gold fever" was waning, so he accepted employment with some parties bound for the Pacific slope, and accompanied them into Utah Territory.
Returning home through Nebraska, he bought a large tract of land in that Territory, and held it until its natural appreciation in value made it desirable. In 1862 he was at Coaltown in the grocery business, which he abandoned a year or two later and purchased a farm in his old township, and for the succeeding ten years was engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In 1874 the Democrats surprised themselves by electing their man for Sheriff, and Mr. Silvis was immediately brought down from the country and installed in the office as First Deputy. In
1876, in convention assembled, the Democratic party by acclamation tendered him the nomination for Sheriff. For satisfactory reasons, probably the greater interests of his farm, he declined. Such unanimity of sentiment in his party, and coming right upon the latter end of his two years deputyship, was, to say the least, flattering; but he sought no office and returned to his agricultural pursuits.
In 1883 his party was again successful, and the first thing that Sheriff Reticker did after being inducted into office, was to impress Mr. Silvis into his service as Chief Deputy. This brief recital of simple facts requires no comment at the hands of his biographer. Conclusions are left to the readers.
Mr. Silvis has served his neighbors six years as their Commissioner of Highways, one term as Township Collector, three terms as Supervisor, and as School Director for years. He is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 319, A. F. & A. M.
Feb. 27, 1862, he was united in marriage, at Moline, to Miss Margaret Greer, and their children are named respectively : Henrietta, Sarah, Louisa (Mrs. Ralph Babcock), Richard S., John C. and James M.
(Source: Rock Island County Biographical Record, 1885)
Thomas Sharp Silvis, of the firm of Silvis Bros., dealers in coal at Hampton, came to Hampton Township in 1854. He was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His younger days were passed on the farm, performing such labor as was common to farmer's sons of the time and locality in which he resided.
The parents of Mr. Silvis were John and Elizabeth (Coon) Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Rock Island in 1854 with his family, and settled in Pleasant Valley, Hampton Township. Thomas S. Silvis owns, in partnership with his brother, 300 acres in Hampton Township, the major portion of it being coal land. Mr. Silvis formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Greer who came from Ireland.
********
Elizabeth Silvis #683 and Her Brothers by Martha Heinrichs
(http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~marier/Index.htm)
The following will give you a very brief sketch of my Silvis family. My grandmother grew up in Rock Island County, Illinois, with her Silvis relatives. Her grandmother was #683 Elizabeth Silvis. My grandmother knew her great uncles on the Silvis side and they were known as Uncle Ship (#686 Richard Shippen Silvis), Uncle Sharp (#687 Thomas Sharp Silvis) and Uncle Squire (#688 Joseph Robinson Silvis). My grandmother always said that she was raised on "Silvis Tales," not "Fairy Tales" like most children. Uncle Ship's son, #686c Charles Lee Silvis, and Uncle Sharp's son, #687e John Chauncey Silvis, were both dentists. It was the Silvis influence on my grandmother that later in life made her encourage her own two sons to become dentists--which they did.
In 1853, Grandpa Silvis (#223 John) left Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with some of his family members and headed for Rock Island County, Illinois. They arrived there in 1854 and settled in a small area called Pleasant Valley in Hampton Twp. Pleasant Valley was a small community of farmers and coal miners and was on the stage line that ran from Rock Island to Chicago. Later the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad ran through the farm land of this community.
It was in 1905 that the name of Pleasant Valley was changed to "Silvis" in honor of #686, Richard Shippen Silvis, or Uncle Ship. The Town of Silvis, Illinois, is still in existence today. In my 1997 road atlas it says the population is 6,926!
In Pleasant Valley, Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp owned and operated the Silvis Mining Company. They were both highly respected men in their community and both held offices of trust and honor. Uncle Ship's obituary states that he was active in politics and he held office as Road Commissioner and was School Director for many years. Uncle Sharp served his community as Commissioner of Highways, Township Collector, Town Supervisor, member of the School District, and Sheriff. Both brothers were Democrats and members of the Methodist Church.
Uncle Ship's and Uncle Sharp's sister is #683, Elizabeth, who is my ancestor. Elizabeth was married twice and she had eleven children. Her three daughters were school teachers and her son, #683b, William "Billy" Shippen Wining, is my great-grandfather. Billy worked in the coal mining business with his Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp for a number of years. Billy was an industrious, hard-working man and was able to acquire and maintain several farms at the same time in Kansas and Texas. On one of his farms were oil wells and Billy received a royalty check from the oil company each month. After Billy died his monthly royalty check was divided equally among his own children. After their deaths, the checks were passed down to his grandchildren, my mother being one of them. My mother received a royalty check each month for many years after Billy had passed away.
This will give you just a taste of the Rock Island County Silvis family. Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp were influential citizens in their community and they are written up in the Rock Island County histories.
Name: Thos S Silver [Thos S Silvis]
Age in 1860: 19
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Richd S Silver 22
Thos S Silver 19
(Source: 1860 United States Federal Census)
Name: Thomas S Silvis
Gender: Male
Spouse Name: Emma Baas
Marriage Date: 2 Oct 1889
Marriage County: Rock Island
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1428580 - 1428581.
(Source: Illinois, Marriages, 1851-1900)
Name: Thomas Silvis
Residence: Moline, Rock Island, Illinois
Class: 1
Congressional District: 4th
Age on 1 July 1863: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
(Source: U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865)
Name: Tho S Silveus [Tho S Silvis]
Age in 1870: 29
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Tho S Silveus 29
Margaret Silveus 27
Maggie Silveus 10
Etta Silveus 7
Louis Silveus 5
Richard Silveus 2
(Source: 1870 United States Federal Census)
Name: T. S. Silvis
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Margret Silvis
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Cannot read/write:
Blind:
Deaf and dumb:
Otherwise disabled:
Idiotic or insane:
Household Members:
Name Age
T. S. Silvis 39
Margret Silvis 38
Henrietta Silvis 17
Souze Silvis 14
H. S. Silvis 12
John Silvis 9
Milton Silvis 4
(Source: 1880 United States Federal Census)
********
Parents:
John C Silvius
Elizabeth Kuhn Coon
Spouse:
Margaret Greer
Emma Bass
Children:
Henrietta Silvis
Souze Silvis
H. S. Silvis
John Silvis
Milton Silvis
Tnomas S. Silvis, farmer and coal operator in Hampton Township, and Deputy Sheriff of Rock Island County, was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His parents, John and Elizabeth Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Hampton Township, where they lived up to 1880, going thence to Vernon Co., Missouri.
Thomas was brought up on a farm, and when the weather was unfit for outdoor labor, was sent to the common schools. However, he was not of that class of men that have to have learning pounded into them with a club; he knew he was destined to work for a living, and that if he acquired any education it would be by improving such opportunities as he had.
This was philosophy, and there has been a good deal of that valuable commodity displaying itself in him from time to time through life. In 1859, in company with others, he started for Pike's Peak; but, before petting half way from their starting point, Mr. Silvis found that with his comrades the "gold fever" was waning, so he accepted employment with some parties bound for the Pacific slope, and accompanied them into Utah Territory.
Returning home through Nebraska, he bought a large tract of land in that Territory, and held it until its natural appreciation in value made it desirable. In 1862 he was at Coaltown in the grocery business, which he abandoned a year or two later and purchased a farm in his old township, and for the succeeding ten years was engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In 1874 the Democrats surprised themselves by electing their man for Sheriff, and Mr. Silvis was immediately brought down from the country and installed in the office as First Deputy. In
1876, in convention assembled, the Democratic party by acclamation tendered him the nomination for Sheriff. For satisfactory reasons, probably the greater interests of his farm, he declined. Such unanimity of sentiment in his party, and coming right upon the latter end of his two years deputyship, was, to say the least, flattering; but he sought no office and returned to his agricultural pursuits.
In 1883 his party was again successful, and the first thing that Sheriff Reticker did after being inducted into office, was to impress Mr. Silvis into his service as Chief Deputy. This brief recital of simple facts requires no comment at the hands of his biographer. Conclusions are left to the readers.
Mr. Silvis has served his neighbors six years as their Commissioner of Highways, one term as Township Collector, three terms as Supervisor, and as School Director for years. He is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 319, A. F. & A. M.
Feb. 27, 1862, he was united in marriage, at Moline, to Miss Margaret Greer, and their children are named respectively : Henrietta, Sarah, Louisa (Mrs. Ralph Babcock), Richard S., John C. and James M.
(Source: Rock Island County Biographical Record, 1885)
Thomas Sharp Silvis, of the firm of Silvis Bros., dealers in coal at Hampton, came to Hampton Township in 1854. He was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., March 17, 1841. His younger days were passed on the farm, performing such labor as was common to farmer's sons of the time and locality in which he resided.
The parents of Mr. Silvis were John and Elizabeth (Coon) Silvis, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Rock Island in 1854 with his family, and settled in Pleasant Valley, Hampton Township. Thomas S. Silvis owns, in partnership with his brother, 300 acres in Hampton Township, the major portion of it being coal land. Mr. Silvis formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Greer who came from Ireland.
********
Elizabeth Silvis #683 and Her Brothers by Martha Heinrichs
(http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~marier/Index.htm)
The following will give you a very brief sketch of my Silvis family. My grandmother grew up in Rock Island County, Illinois, with her Silvis relatives. Her grandmother was #683 Elizabeth Silvis. My grandmother knew her great uncles on the Silvis side and they were known as Uncle Ship (#686 Richard Shippen Silvis), Uncle Sharp (#687 Thomas Sharp Silvis) and Uncle Squire (#688 Joseph Robinson Silvis). My grandmother always said that she was raised on "Silvis Tales," not "Fairy Tales" like most children. Uncle Ship's son, #686c Charles Lee Silvis, and Uncle Sharp's son, #687e John Chauncey Silvis, were both dentists. It was the Silvis influence on my grandmother that later in life made her encourage her own two sons to become dentists--which they did.
In 1853, Grandpa Silvis (#223 John) left Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, with some of his family members and headed for Rock Island County, Illinois. They arrived there in 1854 and settled in a small area called Pleasant Valley in Hampton Twp. Pleasant Valley was a small community of farmers and coal miners and was on the stage line that ran from Rock Island to Chicago. Later the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad ran through the farm land of this community.
It was in 1905 that the name of Pleasant Valley was changed to "Silvis" in honor of #686, Richard Shippen Silvis, or Uncle Ship. The Town of Silvis, Illinois, is still in existence today. In my 1997 road atlas it says the population is 6,926!
In Pleasant Valley, Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp owned and operated the Silvis Mining Company. They were both highly respected men in their community and both held offices of trust and honor. Uncle Ship's obituary states that he was active in politics and he held office as Road Commissioner and was School Director for many years. Uncle Sharp served his community as Commissioner of Highways, Township Collector, Town Supervisor, member of the School District, and Sheriff. Both brothers were Democrats and members of the Methodist Church.
Uncle Ship's and Uncle Sharp's sister is #683, Elizabeth, who is my ancestor. Elizabeth was married twice and she had eleven children. Her three daughters were school teachers and her son, #683b, William "Billy" Shippen Wining, is my great-grandfather. Billy worked in the coal mining business with his Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp for a number of years. Billy was an industrious, hard-working man and was able to acquire and maintain several farms at the same time in Kansas and Texas. On one of his farms were oil wells and Billy received a royalty check from the oil company each month. After Billy died his monthly royalty check was divided equally among his own children. After their deaths, the checks were passed down to his grandchildren, my mother being one of them. My mother received a royalty check each month for many years after Billy had passed away.
This will give you just a taste of the Rock Island County Silvis family. Uncle Ship and Uncle Sharp were influential citizens in their community and they are written up in the Rock Island County histories.
Name: Thos S Silver [Thos S Silvis]
Age in 1860: 19
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Richd S Silver 22
Thos S Silver 19
(Source: 1860 United States Federal Census)
Name: Thomas S Silvis
Gender: Male
Spouse Name: Emma Baas
Marriage Date: 2 Oct 1889
Marriage County: Rock Island
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1428580 - 1428581.
(Source: Illinois, Marriages, 1851-1900)
Name: Thomas Silvis
Residence: Moline, Rock Island, Illinois
Class: 1
Congressional District: 4th
Age on 1 July 1863: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
(Source: U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865)
Name: Tho S Silveus [Tho S Silvis]
Age in 1870: 29
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1870: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Hampton
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Tho S Silveus 29
Margaret Silveus 27
Maggie Silveus 10
Etta Silveus 7
Louis Silveus 5
Richard Silveus 2
(Source: 1870 United States Federal Census)
Name: T. S. Silvis
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1880: Hampton, Rock Island, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Margret Silvis
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Cannot read/write:
Blind:
Deaf and dumb:
Otherwise disabled:
Idiotic or insane:
Household Members:
Name Age
T. S. Silvis 39
Margret Silvis 38
Henrietta Silvis 17
Souze Silvis 14
H. S. Silvis 12
John Silvis 9
Milton Silvis 4
(Source: 1880 United States Federal Census)
********
Parents:
John C Silvius
Elizabeth Kuhn Coon
Spouse:
Margaret Greer
Emma Bass
Children:
Henrietta Silvis
Souze Silvis
H. S. Silvis
John Silvis
Milton Silvis
Family Members
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