Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-06

Silvis awaited the end with fortitude.
The gratitude, which was one OF the
marked characteristics of his nature,
was shown in his last breath. Great
and terrible as had been his sufferin g
he turned reassuringly and consol-
ingly to the tear-stained faces
about his bedside, even after
they thought that all was over
and in a voice more distinct than
they had heard for weeks said, IL
die easy" 1t was his last express
sion; his last breath. All day yes
terday the dark angel which had
been fastening its tread, lowered
over the sick mans couch, and as the
heated breath of the day softened with
the approach OF night the fever van
lshed from the brow of the oppressed,
and he slept.
His An EventfuI Life.
Thomas Sharp Silvis was born in
Jefferson county, Pennsylvania,
March IL. 1871. His parents, natives
OF Pennsylvania. came to Illinois in
1851, settling in Hampton township,
where they resided until 1880, going
thence to Vernon county. Missouri.
MIR. Silvis was reared on farm
and obtained what he could of a COM
mon school education. He improved
such opportunities as were
offered. In 1859 he started for
Pixies Peak in company,with others,
but before getting half way he
found that with his associates
the gold fever was waning, and he
accordingly accepted employment
with parties bound for the Pacific
slope and accompanied them into
Utah territory. On his return
home through Nebraska he purchased
large tract OF land in that territory
and retained it until its natural APP
probation made it more valuable and
desirable. In 1862 he was at Coal
town in the grocery business, which
year or so later he abandoned and
purchased a farm in his old town
snip. There for ten successive
years he was engaged in the cultiva-
tion Of the soil.
In 1874 the democrats elected Au-
gust Huesing sheriff. and Mr.. Silvis
was Immediately rendered the office
of deputy. So efficiently and faith
fully did he discharge the duties of
his Office that two years later the
democrats rendered him the nomina-
ton for sheriff by reclamation. For
satisfactory reasons, however, his
farming and other interests de-
mandiog his attention, he de-
clined. The Rock Island county his
tory in speaking OF Mr.. Silvis in this
connection says: "Such unanimitv
of sentiment i'll his party and COM
ing right upon the latter end of his
two years deputy ship was to say the
least tlattering; but he sought no
office, and returned to agricultural
pursuits.
Mr.. Silvis was also commissioner
of highways in Hampton township;
SIX years township collector; three
years supervisor and for several
years school director.
Sixteen years ago Mr.. Silvis and
his brother, K. S. Silvis, engaged in
mining pursuits at Carbon Cliff un-
der the firm name of Silvis Bros.
luz 'eutuEc PToNeu SUCCESSFUL one
and four years ago the brothers re-
tired from active life and bought
residences in South Rock Island
township. The devotion of the
brothers both in business and pri-
vate life was noticeable and pleas
ant characteristic. The Carbon Cliff
mining property was afterw man
aged by K. 5. Silvis. son of the de-
ceased. who bought out the interests
OF his uocle and with his father ran
the business under the name of Silvis
& Silvis.
In 1882 the democratic party was
again triumphant. John NJ. Ret
ECKER was elected sheriff and the first
thing he did was to call Silvis to his
side, rendering him the deputyship
and making him his RICH: hand man.
A Model sheriff.
AT the expiration of Mr. Reticker's