SYLVESTER, Vallorous F. - 1914

SYLVESTER, DAVENPORT, WOODCOCK, STONE, LAMPHERE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 02:51:09

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

VALLOROUS F. SYLVESTER.

Vallorous F. Sylvester, a well known farmer and a progressive business man of Cherokee county, has been closely identified with agricultural interests of Marcus township since 1882 and owns today two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. He was born in Portage, Wisconsin, September 23, 1851, and is a son of Edwin J. and Martha (Davenport) Sylvester, natives of Michigan. The father operated a hotel in Wisconsin in his early life but he afterward moved to Dane county and purchased and improved a farm there, operating this until his death, which occurred June 10, 1895. His wife survived him until November 14, 1902. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are still living.

Vallorous F. Sylvester was reared and educated in Dane county, Wisconsin, and he remained with his parents until he was twentyone. At that time he rented a farm and operated this until 1882, when he came to Cherokee county, purchasing eighty acres on section 20, Marcus township. This constitutes a portion of the farm upon which he still resides and he has since added to it from time to time, owning today two hundred and forty acres. In addition to the general work of the farm he raises highgrade Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle and he has been very successful in the conduct of his interests, standing in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists. He is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Marcus and a stockholder in the Wixcel Manufacturing Company.

On the 2oth of November, 1873, Mr. Sylvester married Miss Hattie Woodcock, a daughter of Henry and Maria (Stone) Woodcock, natives of Turin, Lewis county, New York. The father moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in early life and taught school during the winter months, farming during the summers. He was superintendent of public schools of Beaver Dam for four or five years and was well known in educational circles. In May, 1876, he came to Cherokee county, Iowa, locating in Diamond township, where he purchased and improved a farm, operating it until his retirement. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and he was mustered out with the rank of corporal. After his retirement he moved to Aurelia, this county, and there resided until his death, which occurred in February, 1910, he having survived his wife since January 25, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester became the parents of eight children: Edwin, who died August 5, 1875; Charles, who is engaged in the contracting business in Marcus; Clarence V., a farmer in Cherokee county; Claude E., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Amherst township; Floyd, Glenn and Vernace, at home; and a child who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester have also an adopted daughter, Mazie Lamphere, who has resided in their home for the past four years.

Mr. Sylvester is a member of the Christian church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is recognized as a farsighted, progressive and resourceful business man and in the course of his residence here has made many valuable contributions to general growth and advancement.