In 1805, Joseph Silvara, a proud Portuguese father, knew he wanted more for his sons when he bid them goodbye for the newly formed United States of America.  There are many tales told, but this seems to be the general consensus of all. Don Emanuel Silvara as he was known, but 15 years old, and his brother Joseph, age 21, stowed away in the belly of a ship bound for the United States.  However, their dreams were soon dashed when the mighty ship ran into trouble just a few days into the journey. The ship took on water in a fierce storm and began to sink. Two ships rescued them, with one heading for the United Sates of America and the other for South America.  Unfortunately, Emanuel and Joseph were treated as if they were members of the crew and became separated. It is doubtful they ever heard from each other again. Some sources say Joseph was in Brazil.

      Emanuel landed in Philadelphia, where he was bound into servitude for three years to pay off his passage. He was apprenticed to a furrier where he learned the trade well. Then at some point in time he headed for the Spring Hill District, Bradford County in northeastern, PA He met and married Jeanette Marsh, an alleged granddaughter of the famous Robert Morris; however, there is no real proof of this claim. Emanuel was Roman Catholic and Jeanette was Protestant.

      Emanuel and Jeanette purchased land from Alpheus and Marsha Skinner Crawford, who had already taken his family west to Lee County, Illinois. It was situated on the banks of the Tuscarora Creek in what was then East Spring Hill or Sesson, PA  The town later became known as Silvara, PA in his honor.

      Mrs. Silvara tried out the local churches, but was never happy.  Emanuel eventually built for Jeanette her own place of worship on the banks of the Tuscarora Creek near their house. It was known as the Silverado Chapel and did have quite a congregation, being that it was probably the first church in Silvara. Therefore, a good congregation might have been expected.  The Beaver Meadows Union Church, http://www.joycetice.com/church/bm001.htm, today a Methodist Church, was the next church built in the township and is still flourishing today. We can find no remains of the Silvara Chapel. Theodore Silvara, a son of Emanuel and Jeanette Silvara, signed the charter to the Tuscarora Rush Religious Compact, which later became known as the Beaver Meadows Church.

1850 Barber Map of Tuscarora Township
Where the Silvara Family and Their Relatives Lived
Source: William J. Barber, Bradford County, Map of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1850
Made from actual surveys by Lake, Ames and Davisson
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman

The children of Joseph Silvara were:

+    2             i.           Emanuel Silvara, born about 1790 in Lisbon, Portugal; died March 25, 1853 in Silvara, PA, or March 23; difficult to read the headstone.

      3            ii.           Josef Silvara

Note: There is a query posted by Mel Silvara with an entirely different story line at: http://www.dholmes.com/histories/portugal.html. It reads as follows:

JOSE SILVEIRA of Lisboa

My ggg-grandfather Josef Silveira was a rich merchant in downtown Lisbon, Portugal. About 1774-1800, to keep his sons Joseph 21 and Emmanuel out of the Army, he had the boys put on a ship for America. They were given plenty of money and cloths. On the way over, the Captain of the ship stole their money and clothes and sold them into slavery, or the ship was wrecked off the coast of America with Joseph being picked up and taken to South America while Emmanuel came to America and married Jennette Marsh in 1817. She is supposed to be a relative of Robert Morris.

Silvara, PA About 1910
Probably Named for Andrew J. Silvara
Son of Emanuel and Jeanette (Marsh) Silvara
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman
From the Leo Bolles Scrapbook Collection

Generation No. 2

2.    Emanuel Silvara (Joseph was born about. 1790 in Portugal, and died March 23 mor 25, 1853 in Silvara, PA; it is difficult to read the headstone.  He married Jeanette Marsh about 1817.  She was born about 1799 in Terrytown, PA, and died February 25, 1876 in Silvara, PA  Both are buried in the Silvara Family Cemetery, Silvara, PA

Children of Emanuel Silvara and Jeanette Marsh (not in birth order, which might be Dr. Joseph, Ben, Theodore, Andrew, Eliza, John, Emily, Lewis and Ebenezer.  We are not sure where Louisa fits in):

+    4             i.           Benjamin Morris Sylvara, born July 07, 1821 in Silvara. PA; died January 20, 1900 in Dushore, PA area.

+    5            ii.           Theodore Silvara, born October 21, 1825 in Pennsylvania; died June 08, 1903.

+    6           iii.           Andrew Jackson Silvara, born August 18, 1828 in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. He died in Silvara in September 1906.

Andrew J. Silvara and His Son, Manuel T. Silvara
Taken Before 1892
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman
Source: Wyalusing Rocket-Courier, April 30, 1987

      7           iv.           Eliza Ann Silvara, born before 1830 married Peter Cooley.

      8            v.           Louisa Silvara, died in infancy.

+    9           vi.           John Sylvara, born 1830 in Pennsylvania; died 1864 in Muncy, PA, drowned in the creek.

      10        vii.           Dr Joseph W. Silvara, born 1818. Joseph became a physician. He passed April 29, 1851, Palmyra Township, Hawley, Wayne County, PA Jeanette and Emanuel had their son Joseph baptized in the Windham/Braintrim Presbyterian church on December 24, 1819 or 1820. Dr. Joseph Silvara had a son, also Dr. Joseph W. Silvara, who became a well-known physician in New Jersey. You can learn more about this descendant at The Genealogy of Dr. Joseph W. Silvara.

       11       viii.      Emily Ann Silvara, born about 1833, married Charles Davisson

+    12         ix.           Lewis B Silvara, born September 1836 in Silvara, PA; died June 1905 in Danville State Hospital of creeping paralysis which affected his mind.

+    13          x.           Ebenezer L. Silvara, born December 1840 in Silvara, PA

Here is the 1850 Federal census for Tuscarora Township, PA:

Silvara Manuel 60 M 5000 Farmer POR 61 317

Silvara Jenet 50 F     PA 61 317

Silvara Theadore 25 M 2500 None PA 61 317

Silvara John 26 M   None PA 61 317

Silvara Emily 18 F     PA 61 317

Silvara Lewis 14 M     PA 61 317

Silvara Ebenezer 11 M     PA 61 317

From History of Bradford County 1770-1878 by Reverend Mr. David Craft: :

Emanuel Silvara came from Portugal. When a lad he secreted himself on a vessel bound for the United States, and was discovered when a short distance from port. On landing in America the captain sold him for three years to pay for his passage. He served his time, after which he married and came to East Spring Hill about 1839 or 1840. He bought the Crawford’s farm, and though to a great extent ignorant of our language, and destitute of all advantages of education, he accumulated a fine property. The little village which sprung up about the place where the old mansion was built is called Silvaraville in his honor. He reared a large and respectable family.

Note: The Silvaras do not appear in the 1840 Spring Hill census. There is, however, an 1844 deed transfer date for the property.

Windham/Braintrim Presbyterian Church
May 12 1832
Church Records:

This session was held at Isaac Lacey’s house and opened by prayer.  The meeting consisted of the accusations against Sister Mrs Ganet Silvara. The charges were first; she was in breach of covenant when she appears in public at the Braintrim Baptist church meeting last March. She openly declared her dissatisfaction with her self and with baptism, and openly offered her self for membership. (It is unclear as to which church is being referred to, since she is apparently already a member of the Presbyterian church at this point). It appears she was accused of using blasphemy. Not in so many words but the Rev Elijah Sturdevant was involved in hearing her use profanity. He was the witness.  Secondly, she told several members she was sorry she was baptized there, and that she had her children baptized there.  She had grievances with some Church members for 8 years now. The witnesses were John Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Zerviah Lacey.

Third she was charged with contempt! She ignored the citation to appear at an earlier date for a hearing, so contempt was charged. That meeting was to be in Isaac Lacey’s house, but she blatantly did not attend.

The Presbyterian Church records record she was dismissed for blasphemy on January 17, 1833. A special session of the board consisting of Rev George Printz, H V Champin (Spelling as recorded), J Beeman, John Smith, and H W Northrup held a hearing. After taking in all considerations, it was decided to suspend Mrs Genett Salvada (Silvara) for "blasphemy from her own mouth for her unChristian oath ____ thoughtfully taken from this manner which is satisfactory to this session of the church."  Closed by prayer,

John Smith, Clerk

Generation No. 3

      4.  Benjamin Morris Sylvara (Emanuel Silvara, Joseph was born July 07, 1821 in Silvara. PA, and died January 20, 1900 in the Dushore, PA area.  He married April 1, 1845 to Harriet L Stone.  She was born March 10, 1821 in PA, and died May 11, 1901 in Dushore, PA in her home, age 80 years 2 months 1 day.  Both are buried in the Fairview Cemetery. She was the daughter of Calvin Stone of Herrick Township, Bradford County, PA whose father was a Baptist minister.

Notes for Benjamin Morris Rylvara:

Family data indicates that Mr. Sylvara packed up his family and moved his worldly goods to Dushore, PA It took the family with the aid of a team of oxen two days to make the journey from the Laceyville area. Upon arrival the family took over the business of the towns' hotel, the Dushore House.  His business prospered in the Civil War days. His family helped run the hotel, making it a truly family business. After the War he sold his hotel and bought a saw and gristmill enterprise at what was known as Cherry Mills. However, he didn't keep those three mills long either. He sold them and invested in different real estate, including a farm.

Ingham's History of Sullivan County (1899):

            BENJAMIN M. SYLVARA. --- The deserved reward of a well-spent life is an honored retirement from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil.  Today, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Sylvara is quietly living at his pleasant home in Dushore, Pennsylvania, surrounded by the comforts that earnest labor has brought him.  He is one of the most prominent men of Sullivan County.

            He was born at Spring Hill, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1821, a son of Don Emanuel Sylvara, who was born at Lisbon, Portugal, about 1790.  He came to America when a lad of fifteen years, in 1805, to escape being impressed in the army, and was well supplied with money, but it was taken from him by the captain of the ship, who bound him out to pay his passage money.  He soon escaped from his master, however, and went to Connecticut, where he found a friend in Joseph Nichols, a landlord of a hotel, with whom he remained for several years, later learning the furrier's trade and working for a time at it.  In 1816 he came to Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, and soon afterward purchased a farm in Tuscarora Township.  Clearing a portion of it, he resided thereon and followed farming until 1839, when he traded it for property at Silvara, Bradford County, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, in March, 1853.  Prosperity crowned his efforts and he left to each of his children a farm.  He married Miss Jeanette Marsh, and to them were born ten children, as follow: Joseph, a physician, now deceased; Benjamin M., of this review; Eliza A., wife of Peter Cooley; Theodore and Andrew J., both farmers of Bradford county; John T., deceased; Emily, wife of Charles Davisson; Lewis B., an invalid residing in Silvara; Louisa, who died in infancy; and Ebenezer L., a broker, of Perry, Michigan.  For her second husband the mother married Benjamin Dexter, but they had no children by that union.  She died in 1874.

            Benjamin M. Sylvara received a meager education in the public schools of his native place, and worked on the home farm until thirty years of age. During this time he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade.  On leaving home he moved to a farm given him by his father and later to Laceyville, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade for a short time. He then went on the road peddling, and later opened a store, at Norconk's Corners, Bradford County, which he sold at the end of a year and returned to his farm.  Soon afterward, however, he again went to Laceyville, where he purchased a store and conducted it for two years, returning to his farm at the end of that time.

He next made his home in Towanda, where he worked in a hotel one year, and on the 1st of May 1860, came to Dushore, where, in the spring of 1861, he became proprietor of the Dushore House, conducting that well-known hostelry for three years.  At the end of that time he opened a store and two years later bought a sawmill, gristmill and one hundred and forty acres of land.  After operating the mills for a year, he purchased a large farm near Dushore and moved thereon, being engaged in tilling the soil until 1882, when he moved to his present residence in Dushore.  He successfully engaged in the brokerage business until 1891, when he retired from active business. When the First National Bank was organized in Dushore, in 1890, he became a stockholder and director, and in January 1895, he was elected president, but retired a year later, owing to failing health.  He has always been one of Sullivan County’s most progressive and public-spirited citizens. Prior to 1860 Mr. Sylvara was a Democrat in politics, but since then has given an unwavering support to the men and measures of the Republican Party.  Always upright, honest, plainspoken and truthful, he has made no enemies, and in his declining years enjoys the love and respect of all who know him.

            On the 1st of April, 1845, Mr. Sylvara married Miss Harriet L. Stone, a daughter of Calvin Stone, of Herrick, Pennsylvania, where she was born March 10, 1821, and they have become the parents of four children:  Lucretia A., born September 19, 1846, married James H., of Olean, New York, November 2, 1874, and they have two children:  Lottie A. and Don E.; Edwin G., a merchant of Dushore, is mentioned below; Emily J., born October 7, 1852, was married July 3, 1870, to J. Newton Martin, who died January 2, 1894 [Editor's Note: This is incorrect; he died in 1884], and the children born to them were Bayard T., born August 12, 1873; Linta V., born July 29, 1876; and Dudley H., who was born November 9, 1881, and died December 30, 1883.  Mrs. Martin resides with her parents.  Ellen L., born May 13, 1855, died August 16, the same year.

            His son, Edwin G. Sylvara, became a very successful banker and merchant at the end of the nineteenth century. However, he declared Bankrupcy in March 1916; his property was auctioned off by the court appointed Trustee, Alphonsus Walsh. Here are two relevant pictures:

First National Bank of Dushore
E. G. Sylvara, Director
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman

Sylvara's Store
Edwin. G. Sylvara, Proprietor
Dushore, PA
An Old Photo Published in the Sullivan Review on March 9, 2006

The Sullivan Review
February 20 1896

Tuesday evening, February 11th, our townsman, B. M. SYLVARA, was stricken with paralysis and still lies in a helpless and critical condition. His entire right side is affected, and he is unable to talk. Some signs of improvement have been noticed. He has been in poor health for a number of years, but had been feeling much better for several months.

There are many passing references to the Sylvaras in the archives of The Sullivan Review. Here are a few samples:

The Sullivan Review
February 8, 1894

B.M. SYLVARA went to Philadelphia Tuesday to undergo an operation for cancer. E.G. SYLVARA accompanied him. Mr. SYLVARA's many friends hope that he may find permanent relief.

The Sullivan Review
April 12, 1894

The property of W.B. HOTTENSTINE, of Forks Township, was sold at assignee’s sale in this place Saturday. B.M. SYLVARA became the purchaser of the farm at $825.

In the 1850 Federal census for Tuscarora Township, Benjamin, now age 29, has his own family entry. The name is misspelled as "Salvasa".

Salvasa Benjamin 28 M 2000 Farmer PA 84 318

Salvasa Harrietta L.  29 F     PA 84 318

Salvasa Lucretia A.  4 F     PA 84 318

Salvasa Edwin G.  1 M     PA 84 318

The Streby History of Cherry (1903) records the following:

Cherry Mills derives its name from the township in which it is situated and its two mills. It is located on the Little Loyalsock Creek four miles from Dushore. In 1846, a 20-horse waterpower gristmill was erected at this point and a sawmill was built farther down the stream. A Mr. Coganhogan owned the gristmill at an early date and the place was known as Coganhogan’s Mill. The late B.M. Sylvara, of Dushore, owned the mills at one time. In 1866, the gristmill was purchased by C.S. Sick and it is now owned by his brother Joseph Sick. C.S. Sick embarked in the mercantile business in 1878 and holds the post office, which was established a little later when the place was named Cherry Mills. The sawmill is owned and operated by George J. Hartzig; he purchased the mill of William Smith who purchased it of Joseph Sick. J.G. Gross is the proprietor of the hotel; J.M. Dempsey is the village blacksmith.

The 1860 Federal census for Davidson Township, Sullivan County, PA shows the following:

26  6    6   Sylvena        Benjiman       39   M         Carpenter      300       100       PA

 27  6    6   Sylvena        Harriet        39   F                                            PA

 28  6    6   Sylvena        Lucretia       14   F                                             PA                     

 29  6    6   Sylvena        Edmond G.    11   M                                            PA                     

 30  6    6   Sylvena        Emily          8    F                                               PA                     

This appears to be the same family, although the surname has a peculiar spelling and not all the children line up. It seems they were living in Davidson at this time. But by 1880, they had relocated to Cherry Township, both in Sullivan County, PA

Here is the relevant portion of the 1880 Cherry Federal census:

 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

 Benjaman SYLVARIA   Self   M   Male   W   58   PA   Farmer   LISBIN   PA 

 Hariett L. SYLVARIA   Wife   M   Female   W   59   PA   Keeping House   PA   PA 

 Edwin G. SYLVARIA   Son   M   Male   W   31   PA   Farmer   PA   PA 

 Elizebeth S. SYLVARIA   DauL   M   Female   W   20   PA   Boarder   PA   PA 

 Mark RICHARDSON   Other   S   Male   W   16   PA   Labourer   LONDON LONDON 

The Sullivan Review
May 16, 1901

Mrs. Harriet L. Sylvara, wife of the late B.M. Sylvara, died at her home in this place Saturday, May 11, 1901, aged 80 years, two months and one day.

The funeral services were held at the house on Tuesday, May 14, Rev. J.W. Klingler officiating. Interment was made at Bahr's Hill.

She is survived by three children, Mrs. Hughes, of Olean, N.Y., Mrs. E.J. Martin, and E.G. Sylvara of this place

The four children of Benjamin Sylvara and Harriet Stone were:

      14           i.           Lucretia Sylvara, born September 14, 1846 in Silvara, PA  She was married to James H. Hughes November 1874, near Dushore, PA, by an Evangelical minister. James,born in Canda, lived in Olean, New York. Lucretia taught school in Cherry Township Sullivan County. At Cherry Mills, she had nearly 60 students. She later went on to Danville, New York to teach. They had two children: Lottie A. and Don E. Hughes.

Their son, Don Emanuel Hughes, later wrote a book, published in 1953, about his Sylvara ancestry. Here is an excerpt from that source entitled My Mother's Family:

My mother's name was Lucretia A. Sylvara. Don Sylvara, her grandfather, was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in the year 1790, and at the age of fifteen, in company with his brother hid as stowaways in a vessel bound for America. In mid-ocean a great storm overtook them and they were shipwrecked and drifted about for many days before they were rescued by two ships, one headed for the United States and the other for South America. Unhappily for the brothers, Joseph was included with the members of the crew and passengers bound for South America, while Don was allotted to the other ship bound for the United States. They never heard from each other again.

Upon landing at the port of Philadelphia, Don apprenticed himself to a furrier. In time he became a furrier himself, and prospered so well that he was able to buy large tracts of land in the wilds of northern Pennsylvania. In those days it was a long and hazardous journey from Philadelphia to his holdings far to the north, but he did it. Immediately his genius and enterprise as a businessman became manifest, for he lost no time in improving his large and extensive holdings. These covered a greater part of southeastern Bradford County.

He became wealthy according to the standards of the country at that time, and considered most eligible bachelor, was highly respected by his Yankee neighbors. It was not long before he was joined in marriage to Janet Marsh, the youngest daughter of the prominent Marsh family. She was eighteen and he was in his late twenties. The marriage was a very happy one. Don thought so much of his wife that he built for her a church - a Protestant church, in reference to her faith, though he himself was a devout Roman Catholic. The church was erected beside their home and each Sunday after the services they entertained the congregation with dinner, for there were no bounds to Janet's energy and good will. At all times they were generous and hospitable to a fault. Janet Marsh many times impressed upon her children that she was directly descended from Robert Morris, the famous financier of the Revolutionary War, It will be remembered that Robert Morris loaned his entire fortune of thirty five million dollars to the Revolutionary cause. But it was never repaid. The only property left to him was large land grants of land in northern Pennsylvania. It was upon these lands that his descendants settled, including Janet's family.

The Federal census for Allegheny, Cattaraugus County, New York for 1880 shows:

James HUGHES   Self   M   Male   W   38   CAN   Oil Operator   IRE   IRE 

Lucretie HUGHES   Wife   M   Female   W   33   PA   Keeping House   PA   PA 

                           Lotta HUGHES   Dau   S   Female   W   4   PA      CAN   PA 

                           Frank HUGHES   Son   S   Male   W   3M   PA      CAN   PA 
This may be Don Emanuel, or perhaps a child that did not survive until adulthood.

+    15          ii.           Emily J Sylvara, born October 7, 1852; died in September 1925.

+    16         iii.           Edwin G Sylvara, born July 1849; died November 30, 1924.

+    16         iii.           Ellen L Sylvara  born May 13, 1855 and died August 16, 1855

      5.  Theodore Silvara (Emanuel, Joseph was born October 21, 1825 in Pennsylvania, and died June 08, 1903.  He married Margaret E Newman April 28, 1852.  She was born July 1834, likely in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1930.  Both are buried in the Quinby Cemetery, Silvara, PA. Here is a copy of his will located in the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda, PA:

The Last will and Testament of THEODORE SILVARA

Know all Men by their presents that I Theodore Silvara of Tuscarora in the County of Bradford and state of Pennnylvania, shoemaker, being of sound disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament. Items: I leave to my beloved wife, Margaret E. Newman Silvara, all my property both personal and real estate for her own use and benefit.
I Theodore Silvara do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife ,Margaret E. Newman Silvara my sole executor to settle my estate of this my last will and testament.
This indenture made the thirteenth day of June eighteen hundred and ninety five.
Signed sealed, published and declared by the said Theodore Silvara as and for his last will and testament in presence of us, subscribed our names as witnesses.

Witnessess: Theodore S1lvara (T.S)
Emma E. Wood
Alpheus B. Crawford

Proof of the death of Theodore S1lvara on the 8th day of June A.D. 1903 made. Admitted as probate June 27th, 1903.

The 1860 Federal Census for Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA indicates:

Sylvara      Theodore      34  M               Farmer      1600      257      PA

Sylvara      Margaret      25  F                                        PA

Sylvara      Caroline      11   F                                        PA

Sylvara      Chas      6    M                                       PA

Sylvara      Casendana    4    F                                        PA

Sylvara      Willie      1    M                                       PA

The 1880 Federal census for Silvara, Tuscarora Township census indicates:

167 169 Silvara Theodore 55 M hus farmer PA Portugal PA

167 169  Margaret E. 45 F wife housekeeper PA PA PA

167 169  Lewella J. 21 F dau  PA PA PA

According to the 1900 census, they are in Silvara, Tuscarora Township, married 48 years. She is listed as being born in 1825 but is 65 years old which calculates to 1834, which coincides with the other census. They had borne 5 children, with 2 still living. Cassedena and  Luella were still living.

The Children of Theodore Silvara and Margaret Newman were:

      17           i.           Caroline Silvara, born 1849.

+    18          ii.           Charles W Silvara, born February 13, 1854; died August 29, 1885.

+    19         iii.           Cassedena Sylvara, born 1856; died February 05, 1940.

      20         iv.           Luella Silvara, born 1859 according to headstone readings; died December 01, 1940 in the Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pennsylvania.  She married Fred L. Hoadley; born 1852; died August 14, 1932 in Skinners Eddy, Pennsylvania.  Burial: December 05, 1940, the Beaver Meadows Cemetery, Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA

Grave Marker
Louella Silvara Hoadley (1859-1940)
Beaver Meadows Cemetery
Bradford County, PA
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman

The 1880 Federal census for Tuscarora Township indicates:

Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

 Chas. O. HOADLY   Self   M   Male   W   37   PA   Wagon Maker   CT   PA 

 Harriet A. HOADLY   Wife   M   Female   W   26   PA   Keeps House   PA   PA 

 Fred L. HOADLY   Brother   S   Male   W   27   PA   Laborer   CT   PA 

21         v.            William Silvara, born 1859.  Some sources refer to him as Edgar.

6.    Andrew Jackson Silvara (Emanuel, Joseph) was born August 18, 1828 in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. He died in Silvara in September 1906.  He married Margaret E. Taylor on October 31, 1855. Margaret was born in October 1844, a daughter of Thomas Taylor who was a prominent farmer from Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.  A. J. and Margaret are now known to be buried in Camptown Cemetery, Camptown, Bradford County, PA [See the grave marker photos below]. In the 1892 taxables list for Tuscarora Township, A J Silvara has 170 acres and he is a merchant.

The 1860 Tuscarora Federal census indicates:

Silvara A.J. 31 M   Farmer 2500 768 PA      

Silvara Margaret 26 F         PA      

Silvara Cora 4 F         PA      

Silvara Emanuel 3 M         PA      

Silsby Phebe 31 F   Servant     PA      

Potter Thos 21 M   Day Laborer   25 PA

The 1880 Federal census for Tuscarora indicates

262 269 Silvara Andrew J. 51 M hus merchant PA Portugal PA

262 269  Margaret E. 46 F wife housekeeper PA NJ NY

262 269  Tracy A. 14 M son wks. on farm PA PA PA

262 269  Lily 12 F dau attend. school PA PA PA

262 269  Winkley 7 M son attend. school PA PA PA

The 1900 Tuscarora Township census shows us the parents were married 44 years. The same census says Margaret's parents were born in Scotland (father) and New York (mother). They had borne 6 children; 3 were still living.

From the Bradsby History of Bradford County, PA, we find:

A. J. Silvara, a merchant, Silvara, was born in Tuscarora Township, this County, Aug. 18, 1828, a son of Manuel and Jeanette (Marsh) Silvara, the former of whom was born in Portugal, and when about seventeen years of age, came to America, and worked for a man by the name of Nichols, learning the mason’s trade, which he continued about three years, and then removed to the then wilderness of Bradford and located on what is now Spring Hill; there he cleared up a farm, which after a few years residence he exchanged for wild land around where the hamlet of Silvara now stands. Here he resided nearly fifty years, and was largely instrumental in clearing up and settling the country about him; he has always been a farmer and lumber man, and built two of the first sawmills of this section; by the time of his death he accumulated a considerable fortune in money besides a large track of land containing over 800 acres. His family consisted of the following children: Joseph, a doctor (now deceased); BM, a merchant and banker of Dushore, Pennsylvania; Eliza Ann, married to Peter Cooley (deceased); Theodore, a retired farmer, of Tuscarora Township; A.J.; John, who was accidentally drowned in Muncy Creek, Pennsylvania; Emily, married to Charles Davidson (deceased); LB, a traveling salesman, residing in Silvara; E L., speculator and broker, of Perry, Michigan. A J. Silvara passed his boyhood on a farm, and received a limited common school education; at his majority he began business for himself, adapting farming as an occupation. After fifteen years he entered mercantile business in the hamlet of Silvara, opening a store in a building where he continued about five years, and then built the room he now occupies, where he has continued in business to the present time, conducting a general store. Besides his mercantile business he owns about 230 acres of valuable land and various building lots, etc. Mr. Silvara was united in marriage, Oct. 31, 1855, with Margaret E., daughter of Thomas Taylor, a prominent farmer of Tuscarora, and has a family of five children: Cora Edna, married to BP Raub, a steam sawmill owner, of Emporium, Pennsylvania; M.T., married to Francis Bunnell, a farmer of Wyoming County; T. A., married to Ethna Bennett, a farmer of Silvara; Lillie E. and Hinkley S. Politically Mr. Silvara is a Republican, and has filled the various town offices; in 1870 he was appointed Postmaster at Silvara, and with the exception of four years under Cleveland's administration has filled the office since. Mr. Silvara ranks well toward the front among the successful men of the County.

Grave Marker
Andrew Jackson and Margaret E. (Taylor) Silvara
Husband and Wife
Camptown Cemetery
Bradford County, PA
Photos Courtesy of Pat Carey

  The children of Andrew Silvara and Margaret E. Taylor were:

      22           i.           Cora Edna Silvara, 1855 - 1929 married Benjamin Preston Raub 1853-1923. Both are buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Towanda, PA  John W Raub is on the same headstone with dates of 1878 to 1961

 Federal Census for Dimock, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania 1880 indicates:

 B. P. RAUB   Self   M   Male   W   27   PA   Farmer   NJ   NJ 

 C. E. RAUB   Wife   M   Female   W   25   PA   Keeping House   PA   PA 

 A. L. RAUB   Son   S   Male   W   8   PA   At School   PA   PA 

 J. W. RAUB   Son   S   Male   W   2   PA      PA   PA 

 M. C. CULVER   Other   S   Female   W   19   PA   Servant   PA   PA 

   + 23          ii.      Manuel T. Silvara, born 1857 in Pennsylvania; died August 14, 1892 at age 35 years, 1 month, 13 days.

   + 24          iii.      Tracy A. Silvara, born about 1866.  He married Ethna Luetta Bennett on September 23, 1885; born November 24, 1864 in PA (data from the Sturdevant Family Bible). Marriage date: September 23, 1885, Spring Hill, Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA. See following notice:

Source: Leo Bolles Collection
Unsourced newspaper clipping
1885

SILVARA – BENNETT

-- At the residence of John Clapper, Esp., in Tuscarora township, by Rev. David Craft, Sept, 23, 1885, Mr Tracy A. Silvara and Miss Ethna L. Bennett, both of Silvara.

Their children were:

i. Floyd Manville Silvara, born 1891; married Ruth Berry, no children; picture shown below
+ 25 ii. Lily Silvara, born about 1868
+ 26 ii. Winkley Silvara, born about 1873

Floyd Manville Silvara
About 1915
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman
Source: Dorothy Bennett, Bennett Genealogy, 1977

Note There was likely another child of Andrew Silvara and Margaret Taylor that died before the 1900 census. The census records 6 children altogether having been born to the parents.

      9.  John Sylvara (Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born 1830 in Pennsylvania, and died 1864 in Muncy, PA, drowned in the creek. He is buried in Old Sonestown Cemetery, Sonetown, PA.  He married Sarah Bixby March 26, 1856 in Bainbridge, New York, daughter of Chandler Bixby and Urania Stackwell/Stockwell.  She was born April 02, 1832 in Bainbridge, New York, and died October 13, 1906 in Lucas County, Iowa. She is buried in the Fletcher Cemetery, Iowa with her second husband Isaac Sones.  More on this family can be found under the Sones History on the Sullivan Gen Web site at the Sones and Stevenson Family History

John Sylvara (1830-1864)
Grave Marker
Old Sonestown Cemetery
Sonestown, Sullivan County, PA
Photo Contributed by Tina Pastusic

The 1860 Federal Census for Tuscarora shows

Sylvara      John      30  M               Pedlar             200      PA

Sylvara      Sarah      31  F                                        PA

Sylvara      Isaac      3    M                                       PA

Shaw   Sam      22  M                                      

 John Sylvara's headstone in the old Sonestown Cemetery records that he was born in 1830, the son of Emanuel and Jeanette Silvara. He operated a store in Sonestown during the Civil War era.

The following review of Civil War records and pension applications for Sarah Bixby Sylvara Sones, John's widow and subsequently the wife of Isaac Sones, was contributed by Melody Spence:

Isaac SONES enlisted on 09 October 1861 at Georgetown, PA and served as a teamster or wagoner in Company F, 84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. He mustered in on 24 December 1861. In 1862, 1863, and 1864 he was sick in the hospital in Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD. Later, Isaac was court-martialed for desertion but was acquitted on 11 April 1864, and discharged on 28 April 1864.

At enlistment he said he was born in Lycoming County, PA, was 39 years of age, 6 ft 1 1/2 inches tall, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, and a farmer. His disability discharge states in April 1864 that he had been unfit for duty for 60 days in the last 2 months. A surgeon's report said he had hypertrophy of the heart with dilation, chronic ulcer on the left leg, and that some of these diseases existed prior to enlistment. He desired to be addressed at Georgetown, PA This currently appears to be a town northwest of Pittsburgh, near the Ohio border. Perhaps this was a demobilization point for the military, or perhaps there was some locality by this name in Sullivan County, although it is unknown to the historians who contribute to this site.

In 1889, his 2nd wife Sarah, of Lacona, Warren County, Iowa, age 60, applied for a widow's pension. She had remained his widow. Children of her deceased husband who were under 16 years of age at his death: 1) Rosa C. Sones, born 26 June 1865 at Union County, PA; 2) Ira W. Sones, born 10 October 1868 at Union County; her deceased husband had three children from his first marriage under 16 years old: Peter Sones, "Ellis" Sones, and "Isaacher" Sones, but she could not give exact ages and where born.

Edmond Bennett was a witness for her in October 1890. He stated that he was well acquainted with the late Isaac Sones and was raised in the same county and was with him when he married Sarah E. Sylvara. He also knew Matilda Sones, former wife of Isaac, and she died in Sullivan County in January 1864. In October 1890, Jane Chappell of Oakley, Lucas County, Iowa said that she knew Sarah E. Sones and the said soldier well in his lifetime: I was present at their home at the birth of Rosa C. Sones on 26 June 1865 in Union County, PA and was present at the home of Sarah in Lucas County, Iowa when Rosa died on 25 November 1881. I was also present at the home of Isaac and Sarah within two days of when their son Ira W. Sones was born 10 October 1868.

Dr. H. Hayden of Lucas County stated in August 1891 that Isaac suffered from 1870 until his death from chronic diarrhea and consumption of the bowels. He was a very poor and thin man wasted from this disease. Harvey S. Wells of Williamsport, PA wrote on 18 August 1891 that Isaac Sones, before the late war, was a robust man, and worked on a farm and in the woods when he enlisted. When he was discharged, he was so bad off that he could scarcely walk without assistance.

T. S. Simmons, age 51, of Sonestown, PA in March 1893 stated that he knew Isaac Sones and worked many a day with him. He took sick while a teamster with the wagon train and was sent to the hospital where he remained a long time. Said Simmons: When he was discharged, I carried his knapsack to the train about 160 rods for he was not able to carry it. After discharge, I saw him often and also saw him in the summer of 1870 in Iowa where he was still suffering and a wreck.

Sarah was granted a widow's pension and was dropped from the rolls at her death

The Federal Census for Otter Creek, Lucas County, Iowa in 1880 indicates:

Sarah E. SONES   Self   W <Widowed> Female   W <White>   50 NY Farmer NY   NY 
Note: This is Sarah E. Bixby Silvara Sones.

 Rosetta SONES   Dau <Daughter>   S <Single> Female   W <White>   14   PA  PA   NY 

 Ira W. SONES   Son   S <Single>   Male   W <White>   11   PA   At School   PA   NY 

 Charles SILVERA   Son   S <Single>   Male   W <White>   18   PA   Farmer   PA   NY 

 The children of John Sylvara and Sarah Bixby were:

      27           i.           LaBarre Isaac Silvara, born January 08, 1857 in Spring Hill, Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; died December 05, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, 76 years 10 months, 27 days.  Burial: Fletcher Cemetery, Iowa

The Sullivan Review
December 27, 1933

LaBarre Isaac Silvara of Des Moines, Iowa, died December 5th 1933 in a hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Silvara was a son of the late John and Sarah E. (Bixby) Silvara.

He was born on a farm in Spring Hill, Tuscarora township, Bradford county, January 8, 1857, and therefore was 76 years, 10 months and 27 days old.

When he was a small boy his parents moved to Sonestown, Sullivan County, where his father was accidentally drowned in Muncy creek. His body was buried in the old cemetery at Sonestown.

His mother later married Isaac Sones and moved to Iowa where they made their home. After moving to Iowa, LaBarre Silvara made his home with his uncle, Charles Bixby, until he became old enough to earn his own living. He received his early education in the country schools and after teaching for several years he entered Drake University, where he graduated and was admitted to the bar for the practice of law.

For many years he served the people of Des Moines, Iowa as police court judge. Growing tired of politics he entered the business world and his activities carried him into many states. It was easy for him to make friends, many of whom remained steadfast until his death. He was a man of lofty ideals and for these he suffered many hardships. Quoting from his home paper " It fell to his choice to remain unmarried and therefore he leaves behind no broken family circle. His last years were lived in private, away from the masses."

One brother, Charles O. Silvara and one half-brother Isaac Sones of Liberty Center, Iowa, survive him. Funeral services were held at the United Brethren church of Norwood, Iowa, Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. Perry O. Silvara, of Webb City, Mo, a nephew, officiated, assisted by Rev. Watts of Norwood. Interment was made in the Fletcher cemetery beside his mother, Mrs. Sarah E. Sones.

LaBarre Silvara was a nephew of the late Benjamin Sylvara of this place.

In the 1880 Federal census, "Isaac" Silvara was in Dayton, Cedar County, Iowa with the Mary Decker family.

+    28          ii.           Charles Odell Sylvara, born August 13, 1861 in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; died September 23, 1950 in Chariton, Iowa.

12.    Lewis B Silvara (Emanuel, Joseph) was born September 1836 in Silvara, PA, and died June 1905 in Danville State Hospital of creeping paralysis, which affected his mind. He operated a sewing machine repair business at some point in Silvara, as indicated by the newspaper ad pictured below this biological sketch.  He married (1) Eliza Keeler October 22, 1857 in the Spring Hill Church, Tuscarora township, Bradford County, PA, they divorced April 11, 1892. Eliza went to visit her daughter and never returned. She was the daughter of John Keeler and Elizabeth Gregory and was born 1843 in Keelerville, Pennsylvania. She passed in 1907 [see death notice below].  L B  married (2) Jennie Beeman April 26, 1892 in Pennsylvania; they divorced in 1903 on cruelty grounds. 

Lewis and his first wife, from whom he separated, are both recorded as being buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery, New Albany, PA We find this family surname spelled both ways, "Silvara" and "Sylvara".Information on this family was obtained from Bruce Truesdale, Dorothy Bennett and the Bennett Family Genealogy. We have also been advised by two grandchildren to Lewis who are interested in genealogy: Alice Waltman of New Jersey, and Forrest Wilcox

Death Notice for Eliza (Keeler) Silvara

Source: Undated and unattributed newspaper clipping found in the Scrapbooks of Lou Mericle:

Mrs. Eliza Silvara widow of Lewis Silvara of New Albany, died Saturday morning April 6, 1907. Funeral was last Monday morning. Mrs. W. F. Wilcox was a daughter, and was there when she died.

L. B. Silvara Sewing Machine Repairs
Advertisement in Local Newspaper
Identify of Paper and Date Unknown
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman
From the Leo Bolles Scrpabook Collection

In 1885, Lewis was living in Silvara operating a Travelers Home, but by 1900 he was in New Albany with his son John operating a sewing machine shop.

 The 1860 Federal Census for Wyalusing, PA shows L. B. Sylvara and family living right next door to the Keelers.

614 605 Sylvara L.B 23 M   Farmer 1000 450 PA        

Sylvara Eliza 21 F         PA        

Sylvara Alice 2 F         PA        

In 1898 Eliza was living in Merryall, PA  According to an article in the Wyalusing newspaper, she took legal action against her husband, but for what reason we do not know.

The 1880 Federal Census for Forest Lake, Susquehanna County, PA, shows:

 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

 Eliza B. SILVARA   Self   M   Female   W   41   PA   Keeping House   PA   PA 

 Alice E. SILVARA   Dau   S   Female   W   21   PA   At Home   PA   PA 

 Clinton L. SILVARA   Son   S   Male   W   12   PA   At School   PA   PA 

 Gertie B. SILVARA   Dau   S   Female   W   6   PA   At School   PA   PA 

 Bessie M. SILVARA   Dau   S   Female   W   4   PA      PA   PA 

 Floy E. SILVARA   Dau   S   Female   W   1   PA      PA   PA 

 Elisabeth DRAPER   Other   M   Female   W   60   PA      PA   PA 

The children of Lewis Silvara and Eliza Keeler were:

            29            i.            Alice E Silvara, born August 20, 1858 in Merryall, PA She died March 11, 1949.  Alice married Corrington J Sumner October 20, 1886. He was born March 11, 1845. In the 1880 Wyalusing census he was married to "Zellia" and had children named Sadie, Clarence and George. He was the son of George and Lydia Bunnell Sumner.

Note:  Zellia would be the first wife of Corrington, Rozella Nancy Ackley, daughter of Ferris Ackley and Emeline Camp.  Rozella was born 14 Aug 1848 and died 23 May 1885.

 Alice Silvara and Corrington Sumner had the following children:

 George Lewis Sumner June 1888-

 John Edward Sumner January 28, 1890-September 18, 1890, buried in the Ackley Cemetery

 Charles Raymond Sumner August 12, 1892/1893-June 7, 1970, married Ione Keeney

 Frances Willard Sumner October 31, 1900-, married Harry Frisbee.

Charles "Raymond" and George Lewis Sumner
Children of Corrington J. and Alice E. (Silvara) Sumner
About 1894
Photo Courtesy of Sylvara Family

In her lifetime Alice was an accomplished musician, writing about 40 hymns. They lived in Wyalusing and New Albany where she was active in the Methodist churches. Here is a link to one of her religious musical pieces, Able to Save, published in 1907. You can even play and listen to the music by clicking here: Able to Save: Soundscript.

      30          ii.           Ida Silvara, born about 1860.

+    31         iii.           John Keeler Silvara, born April 1863; died September 16, 1934.

      32         iv.           Clinton L Silvara, born 1868.  He married Rebecca Hatch.

Clinton was a piano tuner by trade residing in Silvara, New Albany and also in New York.

       33         v.      Gertrude Bell Silvara, born July 23, 1873 in Birchardville, PA; died June 16, 1924 in Wyoming.  She married (1) Robert Elliot Hall February 02, 1893 in Leavenworth, Kansas; died April 19, 1910.  She married (2) Joseph Sommer 1914 in Colorado.

      34         vi.      Bessie M Silvara, born 1874; died 1944.

      35         vi.      Floye Silvara, born 1879; died October 1911.  She married R R Campbell October 14, 1911.

:

13.    Ebenezer L Silvara (Emanuel, Joseph was born December 24, 1840, He moved to Perry, Shiawassee County,Michigan. The large Silvara headstone in the Alton Cemetery, Bennington, Michigan reads: "E.L. SILVARA, GAR 1845-1909 marker Post 205". Here is a photo taken by Glen Geirland in 2008. Note the birth date discrepancy.

Ebenezer L. Silvara
Grave Marker
Alton Cemetery, Bennington, MI
Photo Courtesy of Glen Geirland

Generation No. 4

      15.  Emily J. Sylvara (Benjamin Morris, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born October 7, 1852 and died in September 1925.

She married July 3, 1870 to J Newton Martin.  He died January 01, 1884.  Buried: Near the Quinn School House, Cherry Township, Sullivan County, PA 

Emily and Harriet, her mother, are both listed as widows living together in the 1900 Dushore census. Her brother Edwin’s family is next door.

Sullivan Review
Dushore, PA
January 10, 1884

About two weeks ago, J. Newton MARTIN and family, came to this place, to visit Mrs. MARTIN’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. M. SYLVARA, preparatory to going west. On Saturday evening, Dec. 29th, their youngest child, a boy aged about 2 years, grew suddenly ill and died during the night. The funeral was held on Tuesday evening, Dec. 31st. Mr. MARTIN was taken seriously ill and a physician summoned, who pronounced the disease diphtheria in the worse form. And he died on Wednesday evening, Jan. 1st, only forty-eight hours after being ill. This second sudden death was almost more than the grief-stricken wife and mother could bear, and for several days she was seriously ill owing to the severe strain. She is much better now.

The body was embalmed at once, and Mr. MARTIN’s parents, who reside at Pawnee Rock, Kansas, were summoned. They started immediately for this place, reaching here on Monday. Funeral services were held on Tuesday. He was buried according to the rules and with honors of the Masonic fraternity, he being a member of the Dushore Lodge. Interment in the Cemetery near the Quinn School House in Cherry.

Newton Martin was a member of the Colley Grange. He served during the years 1882-3 as secretary of our Agricultural Society.

The children of Emily Sylvara and J. Newton Martin were:

Bayard T Martin born August 12, 1873;died February 11, 1961

Sun-Gazette
Williamsport, PA
February 13, 1961

DUSHORE --- Bayard Taylor Martin, 87, who published and edited the Sullivan County Review, a weekly newspaper, for more than 40 years, until two years ago, died in a Dushore nursing home Saturday afternoon, February 11, 1961, following a long illness.
Mr Martin was a life-long resident of Sullivan County, son of J. Newton and Emily J. Sylvara Martin. He attended the Sullivan County schools. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran church of Dushore and charter member of the Men’s Brotherhood of the Church. He served as Sunday School Teacher superintendent a number of years.
He was a charter member of the Lion’s Club and the Dushore Fire Co. He was charter member and past president and director of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, and charter member of the Sullivan Historical Society.
Mr Martin was a past director and aided in the organization of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Assn. He was a member of the Sullivan County Sportsmen; past master of Cherry Grange No 1224 Dushore Lodge IOOF and Sullivan Encampment 277; member of the Knights of Maccabees, Towanda Rod and Gun Club; Bradford County Historical Society and Sullivan County Agricultural Society.
He was a member of Evergreen Lodge F&AM 163, of Monroeton; the Towanda Scottish Scottish_Rite Club and the Williamsport Consistory. Mr Martin served as associate judge of Sullivan County from January 1, 1923, to December 31, 1929.
During World War I, he was federal food administrator for the county. He served as school director of Dushore for several terms and was vice president of the Sullivan County Board of Public Assistance.
About two years ago he sold his newspaper and job printing business to the Towanda Daily Review.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs James F Heller, at home, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
The Rev H Joseph Slesser, his pastor, will officiate at the services.
Services will be held at 10:45 am on Wednesday at McHenry’s, 119 Carpenter St, Dushore, followed by services at 11 am in the Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Dushore.

Linta V Martin born July 29, 1876          

Dudley H Martin, born November 09, 1881 and died December 28, 1883. Buried: December 31, 1883, Near the Quinn School House Cherry Township, Sullivan County, PA

      16.  Edwin G Sylvara (Benjamin Morris, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born July 1849, and died November 30, 1924.  He married Sarah E. Albertson May 1, 1879. She was born 1860, and died November 08, 1931. They were both buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Dushore, PA. She was the daughter of Samuel Albertson. The 1900 Dushore Federal Census records her birth date as  February 1861.  It records they were married 21 years.

Edwin G. and Sarah E. (Albertson) Sylvara
Grave Marker
Fairview Cemetery, Dushore, PA
Photo Courtesy of Vickie Sylvara

Ingham’s History of Sullivan County, 1899 records:

            EDWIN GRANVILLE SYLVARA, one of the leading merchants of Dushore, was born in Tuscarora township, Bradford county, obtained his primary education in the public schools of Sullivan county, and later attended Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  In 1869 he secured a position as bookkeeper with Charles Pugh, a wholesale grocer of Wilkes-Barre, where he remained ten years, and on returning to Dushore engaged in the butter business until 1884.  In that year, in company with J. D. Reeser, he opened a general store, and together they conducted the business until 1891, when he purchased Mr. Reeser's interest and has since been alone.  He carries one of the largest and finest lines of general merchandise in Sullivan County, occupying a large double store, and he is one of the most progressive and enterprising businessmen in this region. He employs five clerks, and in connection with his general mercantile business also deals largely in country produce.

            Mr. Sylvara was married May 1, 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Albertson, daughter of Samuel Albertson, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who was born in Burlington, New Jersey, of Quaker stock, and was for thirty years superintendent of the Wolf, Hard & Company's glass works at Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvara have two children: Leland A., born March 8, 1880; and Benjamin M., born September 24, 1890.

            Mr. Sylvara has a high standing in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Pittston, Pennsylvania, the consistory at Towanda, and the Lu Lu Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and he has held the offices of school director and auditor in his borough.  As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him, and he receives and merits the high regard of the entire community

1907 Calendar Plate
"Compliments of E. G. SYLVARA, General Merchant, DUSHORE, PA"
Measures 9 1/4 inches and has a gold calendar with a fancy border, and four transfer of pretty ladies. The gold edge is worn, as is the calendar, but is still legible. No chips or cracks and no discoloring.
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman
Source: eBay Auction in April 2004

Here is a report of his service on the Dushore school board:

14 Jun 1894
Sullivan Review:

ELKLAND

The Dushore School Board organized Friday night, June 8, as follows: President, Fred NEWELL; Secretary, Hon. B.S. COLLINS; Treasurer, F.H. FARRELL; R.H. BREWER, E.G. SYLVARA, W.J. LAWRENCE. After discussing the financial situation the board adjourned to meet Monday evening, June 25, when the tax rate for 1894 will be fixed. It is the intention to engage the teachers at the regular July meeting, the second Monday in the month.

Inghams History once again:

    JOHN D. REESER, one of the leading retail merchants of Sullivan County, was born in Dushore, where he still resides, March 15, 1861.  He received his education in the public schools of his native place and, when eighteen years of age, opened a confectionery store, which about a year later he converted into a general dry-goods store.  In 1884 he took as his partner E. G. Sylvara and continued the business until 1891, when he sold his interest to Mr. Sylvara and opened his present establishment, which is one of the finest general department dry-goods and millinery stores in this section of the state. 

Here is the obituary for Sarah Sylvara:

The Sullivan Review
November 18, 1931

A serious accident occurred in Dushore on Tuesday evening, November 17th at about 10:30 o’clock, which resulted in the death a short time later of Mrs. E.G. Sylvara.

She had been attending a meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of which order she was chaplain, at their rooms in the Grange building, and was returning home, accompanied by Miss Emma Cole. At the Main Street Bridge, Mrs. Sylvara started across the street towards her home, when an automobile, which was driven by William Erb, of Carpenter Street, struck her. She was thrown to the ground, suffering a crushed arm, badly lacerated head, and internal injuries.

She was taken at once to the home of W. Floyd Kast of Water Street, where Dr. Dailey gave first aid. She was then removed to the Packer hospital at Sayre in the Tubach ambulance. Mrs. Lotta Zeigler, a niece, and Mrs. C.A. Raub accompanied her. She remained conscious until they were nearly at the hospital, when she entered a coma, from which she never rallied. Her life passed out at about three o’clock.

The body was brought to the home of her sister-in-law, Mrs. L.A. Hughes, from whose home funeral service will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. W.H. Fehr, pastor of Zion Lutheran church will officiate. Interment will be in Fairview cemetery.

She is a widow of the late E. G. Sylvara of this place and is survived by one son, Ben M. Sylvara, a Veteran of the World War, and two sisters, Mrs. Susie Phillips of Pittsburgh and Mrs. Nellie Springer of Ashtabula, Ohio. Several nieces and nephews..

The children of Edwin Sylvara and Sarah E were:

38. i. Leland A Sylvara, born March 8, 1880

ii Benjamin Sylvara, born September  24,1890.

      18.  Charles W. Silvara (Theodore, Emanuel, Joseph) was born February 13, 1854, and died August 29, 1885.  He married Alzaida Gertrude Tubbs, daughter of Miner Tubbs and Margaret Dawson.  She was born April 06, 1859 in Susquehanna County, PA, and died April 07, 1915.  Charles was buried in the Silvara Cemetery, Silvara, PA

The children of Charles Silvara and Alzaida Tubbs were:

      39           i.           Margaret Silvara, born October 17, 1879; died August 01, 1880.

+    40          ii.           Goldie Grizelda Silvara, born October 24, 1885 in Transue, Susquehanna County, PA

19.    Cassedena Sylvara, known as Dena (Theodore, Emanuel, Joseph) was born 1856, and died February 05, 1940.  She married Amos Pennypacker Beeman March 05, 1878 in Bradford County, PA, son of Joseph Beeman and Elizabeth Buck. He was born July 04, 1843 in Merryall, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and died November 02, 1909 in Silvara. PA  Burial place for both: Lacey Street Cemetery, Laceyville, PA 

         His first wife was Matilda Montgomery, who died September 7, 1877. They had at least 5 children.

The children of Cassedena Sylvara and Amos Beeman were:

      41           i.           Forrest "Zell" Beeman, born May 04, 1882 in Silvara. PA; died February 01, 1944.  He married Bessie Sims on December 07, 1904.

       42         ii.      Denton Theodore Beeman, born September 02, 1884 in Silvara. PA; died March 10, 1900.

      43         iii.           Charles Miner Beeman, born March 28, 1887 in Silvara. PA; died July 23, 1950.  He married A. Ruth Barrowcliff on February 25, 1911; born June 24, 1892; died July 03, 1915.

       44        iv.      Blennie Beva Beeman, born March 09, 1891 in Silvara. PA; died March 31,     1973.  She married William Jayne on April 15, 1912.

      45          v.      Alma Philena Beeman, born March 18, 1893 in Silvara. PA; died June 20, 1916.  She married Walter Bunnell on October 29, 1913.

The Federal Census for Tuscarora, Bradford County, Pennsylvania for 1880 indicates:

Amos P. BEMAN   Self   M   Male   W   36   PA   Carpenter   PA   PA 

Dana L. BEMAN   Wife   M   Female   W   24   PA   Keeping House   ---   PA 

23.    Manuel Silvara (Andrew Jackson, Emanuel, Joseph) was born in 1857 in Pennsylvania, and died August 14, 1892 at the age of 35 years, 1 month, 13 days.   Burial: Silvara Cemetery, Silvara, PA He married Mary Frances Bunnell March 01, 1880, daughter of Aaron Bunnell and Clementine Lane.  Mary Frances was born July 18, 1858 in Russell Hill, PA, and died September 13, 1893 in Silvara, PA She is interred in the Overfield Cemetery, Meshoppen, PA

The 1880 Tuscarora Township Census shows:

181 184 Silvara Manuel T. 23 M hus farmer PA PA PA

181 184 Silvara Frances M. 22 F wife housekeeper PA PA PA

181 184 Benjamin Eliza 22 F servant dom. servant PA PA PA

181 184 Bunnell Eleanor R. 11 F sister-in-lw PA PA PA

 The children of Manuel Silvara and Mary Bunnell were:

      46           i.           Herridon A. "Harry" Silvara, born December 30, 1880; died Feburary 15, 1927. He married Belle A. Lyon on 11 Jun 1901; she was born about 1881 in Pennsylvania.

Utica Daily Press
Utica, NY
February 15, 1927

Unable to Furnish Bail Binghamton Man Ends Life

Binghamton – Feb 15 (AP) Despondent because he was unable to furnish $1,000 bail for his appearance in Federal Court to answer a charge of violating the Volstead law, Harry Silvara committed suicide today by inhaling gas in the kitchen of his apartment. Silvara had been paroled in the custody of his attorney until today when he was to have furnished bail.

      47          ii.           Eva Clementine Silvara, born November 09, 1885.

      28.  Charles Odell Sylvara (John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born August 13, 1861 in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA, and died September 23, 1950 in Chariton, Iowa.  He married Lucinda Evaline Haltom on December 20, 1882.  She was born October 01, 1863 in Lucas County, Iowa, and died November 20, 1955 in Chariton, Iowa.

The following family history was found on the posted Family Treemaker program, number 11:

The children of Charles Sylvara and Lucinda Haltom were:

      48           i.           Roy O Sylvara, born August 22, 1891 in Iowa; died April 1979 in Chariton,Lucas County,Iowa.  He married Kate Storm September 20, 1914 in Lucas County, Iowa; born June 14, 1895 and died November 17, 1961 in Chariton,Lucas County, Iowa.  Kate was the daughter of George and Adda Ann Henry Storm They are buried in the Chariton Cemetery,Chariton,Lucas County,Iowa. Their children were:

Lucy Mable SYLVARA  married Samuel Harold Starkey, Children: Sandra K and Sharon Rae Starkey.

Marlene Agnes SYLVARA  married Donald Carroll, Child: Margaret Ann Carroll.

Clara SYLVARA  married Thomas Justus, Children: Marvin Wayne and Vicki Justus.

Olive Belle SYLVARA  married Russell Bourne and Kenneth Bingman, Child  Roy LaVerne Bingman

Marvin Ben SYLVARA  married Genelle Wright, Children: Ricky and Randy Sylvara.

Martha Marie SYLVARA married Marvin Wilson, Children: Cynthia, Mary, Tammie and Diane Wilson.

+    49          ii.      Perry O Silvara, born November 26, 1883 in Lucas County, Iowa; died April 22, 1971 in Kansas.

      50         iii.           Ira Egbert Sylvara, born July 19, 1885.

      Ira, the second child in birth order, married Grace Rowland from Erickson, Nebraska. He was a farmer; they were the parents of five children.

The Wichita Eagle
Wichita, KS
December 12, 1968

Ira E. Sylvara, 83, Wichita, resident 35 years, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.
Services will be at 11 am, Saturday at Quiring Mortuary. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Born in Greeley, Neb., he came to Wichita from Sheridan, Iowa. He was a retired landscape gardener.
Survivors include four sons; Earl, Colorado Springs, Colo., Edwin*, Bricelyn, Minn., Ronald, Lucas, Iowa, and Lloyd, Knoxville, Iowa; a daughter Mrs. Walter Goben, Creston, Iowa; a brother, Roy, and a sister, Miss Golda Sylvara, both of Sheridan.

More on Ira Egbert Sylvara:

Maple Grove Cemetery records:

Sylvara, Ira Egbert, (race) W, (birth state) NE, (marr) W, (residence) 402 N Washington, (residence city) Wichita, (state) KS, (age) 83, (date of death) Dec 11 1968, (parents surname) Sylvara, (grave #) 3, (lot #) 261, (blk), S, (und) 215, (Intmnt #), 19322, (pg #) 166.

Maple Grove Cemetery
Wichita, KS
Photo Taken by David G. Stuart on October 2, 2004
Contributed by Vickie Sylvara

Ira E. Sylvara (1885-1968)
Maple Grove Cemetery
Wichita, KS
Photo Taken by David G. Stuart on October 2, 2004
Contributed by Vickie Sylvara

Indianola Herald
Indianola, IA
August 15, 1918

MRS IRA SYLVARA

In the death of Mrs. Ira Sylvara, one mile north of Medora, August 5,1918, a home is saddened and broken up by the mother and wife being taken away, leaving 5 children.
Grace Rowland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Rowland, of Bartlett, Nebraska, was born in Bartlett, July 18, 1888, and died in her home north of Medora, Iowa, August 5, 1918, having lived in this present world thirty years and seventeen days. She was united in marriage to Ira Sylvara, January 19, 1910. God blessed this union with five children, all living, with their father to mourn the loss of wife and mother. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. R Rowland, and three sisters, Mrs. Jesse Herston, I. Keptinger, and Ethel Meese, all of Erickson, Nebraska. They were all present with their husbands at the funeral, which was held August 8th at the M. E. church in Medora.
The funeral was attended by a houseful of sympathizing friends and was conducted by the pastor, E. W. Bates. His text was “I know whom I have believed.” Interment was made in the beautiful New Virginia cemetery.
Mrs. Sylvara was converted at the age of seventeen years and identified herself with the Christian church at Bartlett, Nebraska, and continued to be such until death. The entire community sympathizes with the husband and motherless children in this bereavement.

      51         iv.           Sarah Mabel Sylvara, born 1887.

      52          v.           Mary Golda Sylvara, born January 19, 1890;died in 1985 in Chariton, Iowa. She is the author of the Sylvara family history mentioned above.

      53         vi.           John Tillman Sylvara, born May 14, 1895.

      54        vii.           Velma Sylvara.

      55        viii.           Vashiti Sylvara.

      56         ix.           Charles Richard Sylvara.

      31.  John Keeler Silvara (Lewis B., Emanuel, Joseph was born April 1863, and died September 16, 1934.  He married (1) Hettie A Fessenden in Pennsylvania, but they divorced. Hettie was born about 1868 in PA, the daughter of Simon Fessenden and Theresa _____.  He married in 1891 to Ruth M Corson in Green Island, Nebraska; but they divorced June 11, 1919. 

The child of John Silvara and Hettie Fessenden was born about 1893; died October 1898.

Daily Review
Towanda, PA
13 October 1898

The five-year-old son of J. K. SILVARA died on Sunday noon. The child was playing in a box of excelsior, which in some way was set on fire and before he could be rescued was so badly burned that death came to his release in about an hour. )

      34.  Bessie M Silvara (Lewis B, Emanuel, Joseph) was born in 1874, and died in 1944.  Bessie married William F. Wilcox on November 20, 1895 in New Albany, PA, son of Ezra Wilcox and Lucy VanLoon.  He was born in 1870, and died in 1946.  Burial for Mr. And Mrs. Wilcox was in the Hillcrest Cemetery, New Albany, PA

Notes for William F Wilcox:

A notation from the historian for the Silvara family had William living in 1923. He was a clerk and had a house on Main Street, New Albany in 1900. Also, W. F. Wilcox was on record as a grocery store proprietor next to the New Albany Bank. He is listed as Willie F., age 10, in the 1880 census of Albany.

The children of Bessie Silvara and William Wilcox were:

      58           i.           Alice Wilcox; in 1977, Alice resided in Cherry Mills, PA

      59          ii.      Ralph Wilcox, born 1897; died March 26, 1977.  He married Beatrice Strevy.

      60         iii.           Stuart Clyde Wilcox, born April 20, 1916 in New Albany, PA; died in Elmira, NY. Stuart married Miss _____ Scott. They resided in Berkeley Heights, NJ in 1977 and were the parents of 4 children.

Rootsweb records the following:

1. Stuart Clyde WILCOX was born 20 APR 1916 in New Albany, PA, and died in Elmira, NY. He was the son of Hezakiah WILCOX and Bessie SYLVARA. He married Miss SCOTT. 

   

 The children of Stuart Clyde WILCOX and Miss SCOTT were:  

   i. Miss _______ WILCOX; married Mr. SMITH and then Mr. BACON. 

    ii. Mr. _______ WILCOX; married Miss STRADLEY. 

    iii. Miss _______ WILCOX; married Roger HERMAN. Roger died in Millhall, PA 

    iv. Miss _______ WILCOX married Mr. GAGE, son of Richard Marvin GAGE. They were residing in Noxen, PA

Generation No. 5

      40.  Goldie Grizelda Silvara (Charles W, Theodore, Emanuel, Joseph) was born October 24, 1885 in Transue, Susquehanna County, PA  She married Benjamin Whitehouse Anderson on December 31, 1906, son of Edward Anderson and Phoebe Whitehouse.  He was born April 18, 1882 in England, and died June 03, 1949 in Taylor, Lackawanna County, PA

The children of Goldie Silvara and Benjamin Anderson were:

+    61           i.           Margaret Martha Anderson, born August 25, 1909.

      62          ii.           Willian Benjamin Anderson, born November 21, 1911 in Retta, Auburn Twp., Susquehanna Co., PA

      63         iii.           Orville J Anderson, born in March, 1915; died January 19, 1916.

Orvell James [sic], the 10 months old son of Ben Anderson and wife died Wednesday morning, January 19, after a brief illness of pneumonia. The funeral was held at the house Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in the Retta cemetery. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.
Editor's Note: Obituary source not indicated but found in Scrapbooks of Lucia "Lou" Louise Hyde Mericle, Annotated by Carol Brotzman, September 2006.

      64         iv.           George Anderson, born 1917; died in 1920.

      65          v.           Grizelda Mae Anderson, born April 10, 1920 in Retta, Auburn Twp., Susquehanna County, PA; died on October 18, 1991. She married David Benyon, son of Alexander Benyon and Elizabeth Hoskins, on August 19, 1939. He was born on Sept. 21, 1913 in Scranton, Lackawanna County, PA and died on Jan. 23, 1990..

      66         vi.           Marjorie Betty Anderson, born March 31, 1926. She married Willard Adelbert Rhodes, son of Roy Rhodes and Ruth Engler, on June 5, 1948. He was born on Apr. 10, 1927 and died on Jan. 6, 1993.

      49.  Perry O Silvara (Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born November 26, 1883 in Lucas County, Iowa, and died April 22, 1971 in Kansas.  He married Carrie Leona Watt on September 01, 1908, daughter of Roland Watt and Viola Barton.  She was born February 10, 1885 in Villisca, Iowa, and died August 28, 1953 in Jasper County, Webb City, Missouri.

The children of Perry Silvara and Carrie Watt were:

+    67           i.           Lowell Judson Silvara, born January 14, 1911; died February 28, 1977 in Blue Springs, Missouri.

+    68          ii.           Melvin Watt Silvara.

+    69         iii.           Marguerite Silvara.

+    70         iv.           Raymond Arnold Silvara, born September 21, 1921 in Arnold, Nebraska; died January 07, 2000; buried in Fort Scott Medical Cemetery, Kansas.

+    71          v.           Harriet Viola Silvara.

Generation No. 6

      61.  Margaret Martha Anderson (Goldie Grizelda Silvara, Charles W, Theodore, Emanuel, Joseph) was born August 25, 1909.  She married (1) Charles Huntsman, son of William Huntsman and Agnes Stephens.  He was born July 27, 1905.  She married (2) Frank Gamble in 1948.    She married (3) William Mack on August 25, 1962.  He was born September 13, 1925.

The child of Margaret Anderson and Charles Huntsman was:

      72           i.           Shirley Huntsman, born November 08, 1930.  She married Robert J Hunter.

Lowell Judson Silvara (Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born January 14, 1911, and died February 28, 1977 in Blue Springs, Missouri.  He married Ava Vivian Andres, daughter of Perry Andres and Ettie Chilton. 

Lowell Judson Silvara (1911-1977)
Grave Marker
Silvara Cemetery
Silvara, Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA
Photo Courtesy of Carol Brotzman

The Silvara family placed a new split rail fence around the Silvara Cemetery about 1992 in memory of Lowell Silvara. You can examine the cemetery posting at Silvara Cemetery. A picture of the grave marker for Lowell is shown above.

The children of Lowell Silvara and Ava Andres were:

+    73           i.           Carol Jean Silvara.

+    74          ii.           Linda Sue Silvara.

      68.  Melvin Watt Silvara (Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married (1) Joan Lee Jester, daughter of Walter Lee Jester.  She was born 1920 in Jasper County, Joplin, Missouri.  He married (2) Juanita Stumbo, daughter of Monte Stumbo and Edith _______. 

     

The children of Melvin Silvara and Joan Jester were:

+    75           i.           Judith Ann Silvara.

+    76          ii.           Susan Elaine Silvara.

     

The child of Melvin Silvara and Juanita Stumbo was:

      77           i.           Bruce Watt Silvara.

      69.  Marguerite Silvara (Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married Farrel Birkes.  He was born March 12, 1913 in Neosho, Missouri, and died December 18, 1995 in Neosho, Missouri.

     

The children of Marguerite Silvara and Farrel Birkes were:

      78           i.           Roberta Marie Birkes.  She married Kenneth Dean Pike.

+    79          ii.           Beverly Birkes.

      70.  Raymond Arnold Silvara (Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) was born September 21, 1921 in Arnold, Nebraska, and died January 07, 2000; buried in U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas.  He married Mary Louise Hillard.    WWII VETERAN.

Fort Scott Tribune
Fort Scott, KS
January 2000

Raymond Arnold Silvara, age 78, former resident of the

Highrise Apartments, Fort Scott, KS, and currently of the Marmaton Valley Care

Center, Uniontown, died early Saturday, January 7,2000, at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. He was born September 21, 1921, in Arnold NB, the son of Perry and Leona Watt Silvara. He worked as a pipe fitter for Daniel's Construction during the building of Wolfe Creek Power Plant. Raymond was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. He was a member of the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church and was a charter member of the Uniontown Puritan Club. Survivors include two sons, Dennis Silvara, Milford,

KS and David Silvara, Fort Scott; one daughter, Diana Weston, San Antonio, TX; one brother, Melvin Silvara, Orville, CA; and two sisters,

Marguerite Birkes, Hutchinson, KS and Harriett Housman of Grove,

OK. Also surviving are five grandchildren. Rev. Gene Parker, Pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, conducted graveside services at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 10 in the U.S. National Cemetery. Military Honors were conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 V.F.W. Services are under the direction of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 South Main, Fort Scott.

The children of Raymond Silvara and Mary Hillard were:

      80           i.           Diane Elaine Silvara.  She married Wayne Thomas Weston. Their children are: Tami Marie, Teri Ann and Tony Eugene Weston. The third child, Tony, was the son of Thomas Henry and Claire Marie Kennedy Weston

      81          ii.           Dennis Ray Silvara.

      82         iii.           David Wayne Silvara.

      71.  Harriet Viola Silvara (Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married James Houseman. 

     

The children of Harriet Silvara and James Houseman were:

      83           i.           Ronald Lee Houseman.

      84          ii.           Robyn Houseman.

Generation No. 7

      73.  Carol Jean Silvara (Lowell Judson, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married (1) Donald Grosnickle.    She married (2) Donald Ray Varner. 

     

The children of Carol Silvara and Donald Varner were:

+    85           i.           Dana Lynn Varner.

      86          ii.           David Alan Varner.

      87         iii.           John Carlton Varner.

      74.  Linda Sue Silvara (Lowell Judson, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married (1) _______ Bradford.    She married (2) Gerry Record. 

The child of Linda Silvara and Mr. Bradford was:

      88           i.           Curt Bradford.

The child of Linda Silvara and Gerry Record was:

      89           i.           Christopher Gerald Record.

      75.  Judith Ann Silvara (Melvin Watt, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married James Cockrell. 

     

The children of Judith Silvara and James Cockrell were:

      90           i.           Jolan Scott Cockrell.

      91          ii.           Josh Andrew Cockrell.

      76.  Susan Elaine Silvara (Melvin Watt, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married David LeRoy Allen. 

     

The child of Susan Silvara and David Allen was:

      92           i.           Amanda Chrstine Allen.

      79.  Beverly Birkes (Marguerite Silvara, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married Bruce Burkett. 

     

The child of Beverly Birkes and Bruce Burkett was:

      93           i.           Mona Burkett.

Generation No. 8

      85.  Dana Lynn Varner (Carol Jean Silvara, Lowell Judson, Perry O, Charles Odell Sylvara, John, Emanuel Silvara, Joseph) married Douglas Wilhoit. 

     

The children of Dana Varner and Douglas Wilhoit were:

      94           i.           Jason Douglas Wilhoit.

      95          ii.           Joshua Dowd Wilhoit.