SYLVERIUS S. PRESTON

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         Sylverius S. Preston, who engages in general farming in Oakland township, was born in Licking county, Ohio, October 24, 1872. He is a son of Benedict and Rachel (Fringer) Preston, both natives of Ohio, in which state they were also married and resided for thirty years thereafter. At the expiration of that . . .

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. . . period they removed to Kansas where they remained for two years and then came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Concord township where they resided until the father passed away in 1901. The mother is still surviving and at the present time is making her home in Davenport, Iowa. Seven children were born of their union, Judson, who is a resident of Louisa county, Iowa; Lanetta, who is living in Oklahoma; Ruth Anna, who is still at home with her mother; Sylverius S., our subject; Zelora, a resident of Illinois City, Illinois; Gertrude, who is at home; and one who died in infancy.

         The education of Sylverius S. Preston was acquired in the common schools, following which he devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, and then operated the farm belonging to his wife, located on section 24, Oakland township. This is one of the valuable properties of the neighborhood and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Good improvements have been made, the appearance of the place bespeaking capable management and careful regard for all details.

         Mr. Preston was married on the 31st of December, 1901, to Miss Pearl Ryan, who was born in Conesville, Iowa, in 1883. Mrs. Preston is a daughter of the late J. and Emma (Wiltrout) Ryan. The mother died when Mrs. Preston was four years of age while her father passed away in 1897. Following the death of her mother she lived with her grandparents until their deaths, after which she worked out by the week until her marriage. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Preston two children have been born: Reba Viola, who was born February 28, 1903; and one who died in infancy.

         Mr. Preston votes with the democratic party but he has never been an office seeker, always having preferred to devote his energies to the development of his farm in the cultivation of which he is meeting with very satisfactory results.