John Silvis and Lusannah Long

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Husband John Silvis ^{1 2 3}

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           Born: 20 Mar 1843 - Washington Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 2 4
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1918
         Buried: 

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         Father: Jacob Silvis (Abt 1800/1801-Abt 1892/1893) 5
         Mother: Lydia Reeger (      -      ) 6

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       Marriage: 1880 7

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   Other Spouse: Susan Shuey (      -      ) 1 - Abt 1899

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Wife Lusannah Long ⁷

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            AKA: Lucy Long 2
           Born: 1853 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 10 Feb 1885 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Jackson Long (      -      ) 7
         Mother: 

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Children

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1 F Anna Sabilla Silvis ^{2 7}

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           Born: 8 May 1873 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Oscar J. Fink (      -      ) 2 7
           Marr: Dec 1896 2

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2 M Jacob Henry Silvis ^{2 7}

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           Born: 18 Aug 1875 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Anna M. McIlvaine (1874-      ) 2
           Marr: 4 Feb 1897 2

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3 F Ada E. Silvis ^{2 7}

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           Born: 2 Nov 1883 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: L. L. Painter (      -      ) 7

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General Notes: Husband - John Silvis

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He was born on a farm in Washington township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, situated about twelve miles north of Greensburg, near the Freeport road. He spent his childhood there, attending school and helping at first with the work on his father's farm. When he came of an appropriate age, he applied himself to learn the blacksmith's trade, learning the craft from his father, who was a gunsmith and a fine all-round mechanic. His brother, Joseph Silvis, was also a blacksmith and the two were associated in business together for about ten years. In 1873, however, John Silvis purchased his own place, which was situated about four and a half miles north of Greensburg, on the Delmont road in Hempfield township, and which was the site of a hotel, which had been kept for many years by Isaiah Shuster, and only given up by him on his death. Besides the hotel there was situated on this property a store building in which Mr. Silvis kept a stock of goods of various kinds for sale. He continued this enterprise for several years, until he received his appointment as postmaster of Geary. He held this office for fourteen years, and in the meantime also operated a blacksmith shop at his place. This he continued until he had remained in the business for nearly forty years, besides the ten during which he was associated with his brother. Mr. Silvis, quite early in his career, perceived the inducements offered by investment in land in the rapidly developing community and purchased different tracts at various times until he came to own about one hundred and fifty acres of valuable farm property.
In politics Mr. Silvis was a Democrat, but though a staunch supporter of the principles and policies for which that party stood, he cared little for public life or political preferment. He avoided rather than sought office, but on one occasion consented to act as deputy road supervisor, a post which he held for some six years.
He was a Lutheran in his religious belief, and was very active in the interests of the Delmont Lutheran Church, and for more than nine years served as one of its trustees.
Mr. Silvis was regarded as one of the most expert shots in the entire region, but in spite of this fact his inclinations have not made him a confirmed hunter. His father was a gunsmith and the young man used to be called upon by the elder to try each new weapon which he made, with the result that he was practicing much of the time and developed his natural ability as a shot.

1 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 695.

2 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 633.

3 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 497, 673.

4 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 497.

5 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 400, 497, 673.

6 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 401.

7 Fenwick Y. Hedley, Old and New Westmoreland, Vols. III & IV (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1918), Pg 498.