An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 343-344
	
	
	SYLVESTER HEATH, one of the early settlers of Spokane, Washington, and one
of its most prominent citizens, is a native of Indiana, born in 1847. His
parents, John and Sarah (Glass) Heath, were natives of North Carolina and
Indiana respectively, and of their nine children he was the youngest. His father
went to Indiana when quite young, spent his life on a farm in that State, and
died there, in 1888. His maternal ancestors were natives of Germany. Grandfather
and Grandmother Glass came to America at an early day and located on a farm in
Indiana.
	Mr. Heath received his education in the public schools of Indianapolis,
graduating at the high school there, in 1870. He was employed as bookkeeper six
years, and afterward was engaged in various occupations until 1878, when he came
West. One year he lived in Walla Walla. The following year, 1879, he took up his
abode in Spokane Fails, at that time a hamlet containing less than a dozen
families. Here he was employed as clerk for Mr. Cannon, with whom he remained
about two years. In 1881 he was appointed Postmaster, he being the third
postmaster of the town, and served in that capacity seven years. When he entered
the office its business was but trifling. At the end of his term, however, it
had, with the growth of the town, increased to a large extent. In 1885 Mr. Heath
opened a book store, beginning with a capital of $50, and in 1889, at the time
of the great fire, his stock was valued at $20,000. He was one of the early
promoters of the Ross Park railroad, and served as treasurer of the company. In
1880 he entered 160 acres north of Spokane, and subsequently purchased 160 acres
of adjoining land. On this track is now situated the beautiful suburb of North
Side. Here, in 1889, he erected his fine residence, one of the handsomest homes
in Spokane. It is finished and furnished throughout in the most complete manner
and is surrounded with fine orchard and attractive lawn. Mr. Heath also owns a
good farm, seven miles west of Spokane. 
	He was married, in, 1880, to Miss Ida E. Ellis, a native of Oregon and a
daughter of Asbury Ellis, one of the early settlers of that State. He is a
member of the Episcopal Church and of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife is a
Methodist.
	
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.