Short Biography of Richard Sylvester

Amos R. Sylvester, for whom the town is named, was one of the earliest settlers and a prominent man. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 8, 1810. His father, Richard Sylvester, was born in Scituate, R. I., in 1782 and was married to Rachel Sutherland, March 19, 1809. She was born in Rutland, Vt., in January, 1791, and died in Sylvester, March 17, 1876. Richard Sylvester died at Darian, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 22, 1826. They reared a family of five children—Amos R, John, Harlow, Charles and Mary. The sons removed to Edgar Co., Ill., where they lived until they came to Green county. In the spring of 1836, Amos came here and entered land for his brothers and others, and returned to Illinois. In the fall of that year, the Sylvester brothers, Amos, John, Harlow and Charles, and their families, came here to reside permanently. Amos settled on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, where he erected a log house with a puncheon floor and roof of shakes. John settled on the southwest quarter of section 21, where he lived a short time, then removed to the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 12. He afterwards moved to Belleville, Dane county, and afterwards went to Kentucky, where he died, at Athens, May 16, 1860. He was born Nov. 27, 1812. He was twice married. His first wife was Phiania Hills, who was born in 1820, and died Dec. 29, 1851, leaving four children. He was again married in 1854, to Lucinda H. Smith, who was born in East Avon, N. Y., in 1820. She died Sept. 22, 1859, leaving three children—Frank A., who was drowned in Polk Co., Wis.; Phiania E. and Ellen A. Harlow Sylvester settled on the southeast quarter of section 3, where he remained until about 1869, then sold out and moved to Madison, where he still resides. Charles Sylvester settled on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 10, remained there a short time, then sold and went to Belleville, where, in company with John Sylvester, he engaged in mercantile business. He now lives in Polk Co., Wis. Amos R. Sylvester received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen years, left home. He started in the work with fifty cents, which his mother had given him, being all the money she had. He served an apprenticeship to learn the blacksmith trade, and afterwards was foreman in a shop at Camillas, N. Y., where he was married Feb. 14, 1831. His wife died in Sylvester, Aug. 30, 1847, leaving five children—Richard, deceased; Abram W., Henry W., Mary, deceased; and Moses. He was again married to Mrs. Loraine Rust, widow of Henry Ford. Mr. Sylvester was prominent in both town and county affairs. He held the office of assessor seven years. He was one of the originators of the Insurance Company of Sylvester. He was killed by his team running away, Sept. 14, 1882. He was a much esteemed citizen. His widow still resides at the homestead. Charles Sylvester, who came at the same time as did Amos, married and went to Kansas; but later returned and now lives in Polk Co., Wis.

Source: "History of Green County, Wisconsin" ⁴⁸¹³