Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 761
JOHN O. SILSBY

One of the best known farmer of Allen township, Harrison county, Iowa, is John O. SILSBY, who has been a resident of Harrison county since 1868. His parents were among the earliest pioneer settlers of the county, and lived here practically all of their lives, after coming here in 1868. The family have been prominent in the history of the county and have always stood for its best interests along every line. Mr. SILSBY lived in Monona county, just north of Harrison county, for three years, but with the exception of that short period, has spent all of his life in Harrison county, since his parents first located here. He has been unusually successful in all of his agricultural operations, as is shown by his present well improved farm of five hundred and sixty acres, in Allen township.

John O. SILSBY, the son of A. Milton and Abigail (CLIFFORD) SILSBY, was born on November 30, 1866, in Essex county, New York. His parents were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively, and came to Harrison county in July, 1868, locating in the Soldier valley, in Jackson township. His parents made their home in this county until 1894, when they moved to Arkansas, where they only lived three years, moving from that state to Burr Oak, Jewel county, Kansas, where the father is still living. The mother died on April 6, 1912. Milton SILSBY was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in a New York regiment. He was a Democrat and active in his party during the early history of Harrison county. He held many township offices while a resident of this county.

John O. SILSBY was one of ten children born to his parents and the eldest son. He was only two years of age when his parents located here and, consequently, received all of this education in the schools of this county. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and then rented land for two years. Following this, he bought one hundred and forty acres, in Spring Valley township, Monona county. He remained there for about three years. He disposed of his farm there, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Allen township until the spring of 1915, when he retired to Pisgah, his property, however, is still under his supervision. As he has been able, from year to year, he has added to his original holdings and now has five hundred and sixty acres, located in sections 18 and 19, of Allen township. In the summer of 1898, he built his present commodious house of eleven rooms and since then has added many modern conveniences to it on the farm. He has large barns, extensive granaries and all of the buildings which are demanded by the twentieth-century farmer. In many respects, his farm is one of the best improved in the township, and few farmers in the county have met with a greater measure of success in all lines. He is an extensive stock raiser and averages about three carloads of hogs and four carloads of cattle each year, which always bring the highest market price.

Mr. SILSBY was married on March 25, 1890, to May M. OVIATT. She was born in Taylor township, Harrison county, January 22, 1872, and is a daughter of Horatio and Lucia (BENEDICT) OVIATT, both of whom were natives of Vermont. The parents of Mrs. SILSBY were early settlers in Harrison county, where they located about 1858. Her father was a carpenter and bricklayer by trade, but later engaged in farming. Her parents are now both deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. SILSBY are the parents of seven children all of whom are still single and living at home, except Ithiel E., who was born on February 28, 1891, a graduate of the Woodbine Normal School, he married Ethel BARSBY, of Woodbine, a graduate of the same class with her husband. They now live on the old home farm; Harold L., born on November, 21, 1895, a bookkeeper in the bank at Pisgah; Milton H., born on September 22, 1898; Hazel, born on August 4, 1900; Conley D., born on January 13, 1908; Lyle A., born on September 8, 1909, and Ila A., born on March 14, 1913.

Mr. SILSBY is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his support to the Democratic party and has been frequently honored by positions at the hands of his party. He has served as treasurer, clerk and trustee of Allen township and has held other minor positions to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. The family are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generous contributors to its support. Mr. SILSBY is vice-president of the Pisgah Savings Bank and a director of the Harrison County Mutual Insurance Company. The family have long been among the most prominent of Allen township, and none in the township stand in higher esteem.

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