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

eous feeling favorable to Mr.. Silvis
for the Office of sheriff. He was
nominated by the democratic party
and the campaign proved one of the
memorable events OF Rock Island
county political history, Mr.. Silvis
triumphing over Rev. A. B. Morgan.
OF Moline. His incumbency of the
office created no disappointment.
He was what was promised for him,
an ideal sheriff. Party lines knew
no distinction in the expression of
appreciation that everywhere testified
to his efficiency as an official
and his worth as 3 man.
Indeed the regret was general that
under the statutes of the state Mr..
Silvis was not eligible rs his own
Immediate successor. 1t was his
purpose, however, to retire at once
to private life, but Cyrus d. Gordon,
who was elected sheriff in 1890 in
sisted that Mr.. Silvis remain as lis
deputy, and he acquiesced, devoting
the same pains and ability to his
official duties that he had while oc-
cupying the office himself. and at the
expiration of his term of service to
the county he was prominently men,
toned as a democratic candidate for
the legislature, but he would not
consent to be considered in connec-
ton with the office.
Candidate For United States Marshal.
| After the election of President
| Cleveland for the secondssterm, MIR.
Silvis became a candidate for United
States marshal for the northern dis
trict of Illinois. He had the enthus-
lastic Endorsement of Hon. Ben T.
Cable and other representative DEM
ocrats throughout the state. and in
the petition that went forward from
Rock Island to Washington in his
behalf there appeared the names of
citizens of professional and business
standing, as well as from all the
various ca:lings in life, testifying to
MIR. Silvis' capability, stability and
sanding. There were two promi-
nent candidates for the office. of
whom Mr.. Silvis was one, his oppo-
nent being sustained by Senator Pal
mer, and the president found each SO
zealously urged that he selected a
third man in the present United
States Marshal Arnold.
When, in accordance with the act of
the last legislature making provision
for northwest insane hospital, the
commission was created by Gov. Alt
geld he, in August 1895, appointed
MIR. Silvis one of the members, the
others being Judge John K. Eden, o.;
Sullivan, and Hon. w. S. Gale, of
Galesburg. Though in failing health
at the time, Mr.. Silvis undertook the
duties with some forebodings on this
account, but he esteemed the hon
or and he priced the opportunity to
be instrumental in bringing such an
institution to Rock Island, and he
acted during the organization of the
commission, but in October he felt
the necessity Of retiring and he did
so reluctantly. T. }. Medill, Jr., be-
ing appointed his successor.
Mr.. Siivis was united in marriage
Feb. 26, 1862. at Moline with Mrs.
Margaret Greer, who died in 1883.
MIR. Silvis was afterward married to
Miss Emma Baas, of Rock Island,
who has been his faithful attendant
through his long and patient suffer
ing. Five children and the wife sur
vive: Mrs. w. A. Porter, Rock ISL
and; Mrs. K. NJ. Babcock and Mrs.
W. II. White, Milan; Richard S.,
Carbon Cliff; John c. and Milton at
home. Mr.. Silvis also leaves two
brothers, Il. S., of South Rock ISL
aud. and Robinson Silvis, of Green
River; and three sisters, Mrs. Mary
Watt. Phoenix, Pa; Mrs. Margaret
j. Organ, Jamestown. S. d, and
Mrs. Martha Trent, Pittsburg, Kas.
Mr. Silvis was a member of the Ma
sons, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen
and Home Forum.
Man of Worth.
In the history of Rock Island
county no citizen has enjoyed a
wider circle of acquaintance and
none has stood higher in the estima-
ton of his fellow men than did Mr..
Silvis. He was a man of character
and of sterling worth. Honest and
sturdy he stood for the right as he
saw it, and those who came in con-
tact with him admired and trusted
him. OF an unfailing cheerful dis
position, to meet him was to like
him; to know him was to love him.
When he. laughed it was the outpour-
of his great heart; when he spoke it
came from the soul. There was
nothing superficial about Sharp Sill
Wis. He was man through and
through. 1t saddens one to know
that his merry laugh will be heard
no more and his kindly handshake
will not be felt again. He will be
missed.
Funeral services will be conducted
at the residence at o'clock tomor-
row afternoon, and the remains will
be conveyed to the grave ut River
side cemetery in Moline. The pail
bearers will be: Judge Lucian
Adams, K. A. Donaldson, George w.
Gamble, Thomas Campbell. Z. II.
Bowman and John Schafer, Jr., the
latter of Port Byron.
An invitation is extended to the
| members of the Masonic fraternity.
Knights of Pythias. Woodman and