E. R. SILVERTHORNE

SILVERTHORNE, CLENDENNING, MITCHELL, GROVER

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 22:02:20

"E. R. Silverthorne devotes his time and energies to the operation of an excellent farm of two hundred acres which he owns on section 27, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 9th of September, 1860, his parents being Richard and Anna Mary (Clendenning) Silverthorne, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in an early day, purchasing a farm in Muscatine county which the father operated until 1870, when he removed to Madison county, this state. Subsequently he came to Adair county, and here both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of eight children, four of whom still survive.

E. R. Silverthorne received his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He was then engaged in railroad work for a year and on the expiration of that period turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, first cultivating rented land. Subsequently he purchased his present farm, which he has developed until it is now a valuable property, erecting splendid buildings and making other necessary improvements. He is busily engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, and through the wise and careful management of his interests is meeting with well deserved success.

On the 20th of October, 1886, Mr. Silverthorne was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mitchell, a native of Johnson county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Grover) Mitchell. Her father, who was born in New York, is deceased, but the mother still survives and now makes her home in Greenfield. She is a native of Linn county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Silverthorne have been born four children as follows: Flossie, who is the wife of Herbert Buck; one who died in infancy; and Hazel and Sylvia, both at home.

Mr. Silverthorne gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Straightforward, hones and sincere, he has many warm friends who recognize in him those qualities that contributed most toward forming a manly character."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.