San Benito County CA Archives Obituaries.....Willcox, Sylvester McCumber November 23, 1909
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James Hansen hansenjames1@msn.com May 25, 2009, 9:27 pm

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ANOTHER SAN JUAN PIONEER LAID TO REST

Died at his home on the Alameda Tuesday afternoon Sylvester McCumber Willcox 
aged 80 years, 10 months and 20 days.  He was a man of generous impulses and 
never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger, even though a 
beggar, never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands, 
and he was at home by the bedside of the sick and delighted in all kind and 
neighborly offices. He had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity 
quietly.  He had filled the various relations of life, as son, husband, 
father, brother, friend and filled them well.  Who can do more?  But he is 
gone!  Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of pioneer 
settlers and three children, Joseph Sylvester, Ada Belle and Chester Matthew 
and an aged brother Hyland Willcox of Lehi City Utah, attest how sadly they 
will miss him.  He was born January 3rd, 1828 in Erie County, Pennsylvania of 
Benjamin and Mary Willcox. He crossed the plains by horseback in 1850, and for 
a short time worked in Sutro Bar Mine.  In the fall of 1851 he came to San 
Juan and has resided here since May 7, 1866, he was married to Sarah E. Moore 
of San Bernardino. Four children were the result of the union of which three 
survive. For 46 years he resided in the house in which he died, which belonged 
to the Castros under Mexican rule.  Of eleven brothers, only one survives.  
His wife preceded him to the other land two years ago.  His life work done, 
and well done.  Wearied of life's duties and cares he laid down to 
rest .  "Tired! ah, yes so tired dear, I shall soundly sleep tonight, fear 
With never a dream, and never a To wake in the morning light."  How much this 
community owes to him and such as he, it is impossible to estimate, though it 
would be a grateful task to trace his influence through some of the more 
direct channels but it comes not within the scope of this short article to do 
so.  He lived nobly and died peacefully.  The stern Reaper found him, "as a 
stock of corn, fully ripe for the harvest."  Not for him our tears! rather let 
us crown his grave with garlands; few of us will live as long or as well, and 
fewer yet will the Angel of Death greet with such a loving touch.  The funeral 
took place from the family residence on Thanksgiving day, and he was laid to 
rest in the San Juan Cemetery to await the great resurrection day.  Many 
friends gathered to pay their last respects for the departed and the following 
acted as pallbearers, A . Taix Sr, W. S. Prescott, T. Frank Breen, Ben Flint, 
Chas. Kesling and G. E. Abbe.


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