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 O. SILVERS, a retired farmer, residing in Mattoon, was born Aug. 18, 1827, in Sullivan County, Ind., and is the son of Bletcher and Elizabeth (Ingraham) Silvers, natives of Washington County, Ky., where his father was engaged in farming. His grandparents, John and Nancy (Springer) Silvers, were natives of Kentucky; the family of the former was of German extraction. He carried on an extensive farming business in his native State, and owned quite a number of slaves. In 1818 Bletcher Silvers removed with his family to Sullivan County, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1856, and he did not survive her many years, his death occurring in 1861. They had a family of seven children, three of whom
are now living, as follows: Letitia, the wife of W. P, McClure, a resident of Graham County. Kan.; J. O., the subject of this sketch, and Hester, the wife of Mr. James French, also a resident of Sullivan County. Mr. Silvers in early life served in the War of 1812. He belonged to the Old Whig party in .politics, but subsequently became a Republican. Both himself and wife were members of the Methodist Church, and in their daily lives exemplified the sincerity of their religious faith. J. O. Silvers was reared on his father’s farm in Indiana, and remained at home until eighteen years of age; he was then sent to the DePauw University, and after three years of study was graduated from that institution with honors. He then taught school in Indiana two years, and in 1851 came to Cass County, Ill., and was there engaged two seasons as teacher in a seminary at Virginia. But his tastes inclined him to prefer agriculture and he returned to Indiana and engaged in farming in Vigo County until 1863, when he removed to Illinois and settled in Mattoon. He had previously been engaged in the mercantile business in Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Ill., and on coming to Mattoon was at first occupied in buying and selling real estate. In 1870 he purchased eighty acres of land in North Okaw Township, in this county, and engaged in farming. The following year he purchased ten acres on Western avenue, where he remained until 1877, and then returned to his other farm, passing six years there. In 1883 he retired from the cares of active business and returned to this city, where he now resides on West First street. Our subject’s marriage to Miss Sarah F. Pugh took place in 1852. Mrs. Silvers was a native of Terre Haute, and the daughter of Ishmael Pugh. Three children were born to them, whose names are as follows: Clara Belle, the wife of Mr. Thomas Lytle, is the mother of four children—Howard, Grace, Gertrude and Ralph; Hattie, the wife of Charles N. Brown, has one child, J. Herbert; and Frank. In 1871 the family circle was broken by the death of Mrs. Silvers. In 1876 Mr. Silvers was happily married the second time, to Mrs. Sophia J. (Eggleston) Allen. Mrs. Silvers is the daughter of David and Rebecca (Judd) Eggleston, natives of New York. They had a family of five children, of whom only two are living Mrs. Bartlett, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mrs. Silvers. Mrs. Silvers’ grandfather, Jonathan Eggleston, was of English descent, and served in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Silvers’ first marriage occurred in 1842. Her husband, Samuel Allen, was a native of Massachusetts. He came to Illinois in 1863, and purchased a farm of 250 acres adjoining the city of Mattoon. He was an enterprising business man, and invested in city property to a considerable extent. His death occurred in 1874. He was a Republican in politics, and one of the leading citizens of Mattoon. Our subject and his wife, having no children, have adopted four orphans, whom they have cared for and educated. Their names are, Aaron and Rebecca Wycoff, brother and sister, who were brought here by Mr. and Mrs. Allen from Ohio; Isaac Roby and Nellie V. Hyde. Mr. Silvers is a member of the Republican party, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F. He has also been for many years a highly esteemed member of the Methodist Church. |
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