Bio of George W. Sylvester (d.1876), Wabasha Co., MN

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Sylvester - 

George W. Sylvester was one of the worthy band of pioneers who helped 
develop this region from an almost untrodden wilderness into the 
prosperous and productive farming country that it is today. He did 
his share of the hard work, he and his family took their share of the 
privations, hardships and inconveniences, and his name will long be 
held in honored remembrance. He performed efficient service on the 
town board in the early days, he gook an active interest in public affairs, 
and his influence was ever on the side of those things which he believed 
to be just and right. George W. Sylvester was born at Phillips, Maine, 
the son of Caleb and Joanna (Whitney) Sylvester. Caleb Sylvester was a 
sturdy Maine farmer who achieved something of a name for himself as 
a mathmetician and surveyor. In 1844 he brought his family to Wisconsin, 
took a farm near Platteville, and there devoted the remainder of his 
long and useful life to farming. Two of the sons, Charles and George W., 
the subject of this sketch, assisted their father on the farm, and when 
they attained suitable years, secured employment in the near-by lead 
mines. In 1851, thrilled with the story of the gold finds in California, 
the two brothers set out across the plains with an ox team bound for the 
Pacific coast. Three years of strenuous work in the gold fields netted 
them each $2,000. There many opportunities for them in that western 
country, but life so far away from home and kindred did not appeal 
strongly to them, so they started back to Wisconsin. With the memory of 
that long, dangerous trip across the wild plains clearly in their mind, 
they decided to make the return trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama, 
amd accordingly set out by that route, but it was not until several 
months later, and after encountering many thrilling adventures, including 
a shipwreck, that the young men were once more at the parental fireside. 
A year later, in 1855, the two brothers came to Minnesota, and secured 
land in this county, George W. claiming the southeast quarter of section 
25, in Plainview Township. 
That winter he spent with his parents in Wisconsin, was there married, 
and in the spring of 1856, with his bride, settled on his claim in this 
county. He built a house, started to develop his farm, and worked at his 
trade as a wagon-maker. In addition to this he also worked for his 
neighbors as a carpenter, so that many of the pioneer homes of the 
township still standing are the work of his hands, and a tribute to the 
skill, permanency and ability with which he wrought. In 1860 he erected 
on his farm the biggest barn in the neighborhood and painted it red, this 
"Big Red Barn" being a landmark in the township for many years. In 
1875 he replaced his first home with the commodious farm house, 
which, enlarged and remodeled, is still standing. When the Woodland 
postoffice was established at his home he was made the first 
postmaster. As already mentioned, he was one of the early officers of 
the town. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and the 
Masons. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
After a useful and well spent life he died September 6, 1876. His wife 
died in 1905. Mr. Sylvester was married March 18, 1856, to Matilda Cook, 
born in Waterloo Township, Province of Quebec, Canada, November 5, 
1838, daughter of John Cook, a Canadian of Irish ancestry, who settled 
in Wisconsin in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester were the parents 
of five children, Edwin L., Hattie A., George Franklin, Electa A., and 
Nellie M. Edwin L. and George F. are Plainview bankers. Hattie A. and 
Electa A. are dead.

Note: This biography was taken from the book "History of Wabasha 
County" copyrighted in 1920.