The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 816 WILLIAM H. SILVERS. A richly bearing orchard three miles west of Zillah stands as a monument to the work of William H. Silvers, who was a leading, horticulturist of his district. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him and his death, which occurred January 22, 1917, caused deep sorrow to his many friends. A native of Fountain county, Indiana, Mr. Silvers was born July 18, 1844, a son of John and Jane (Waymeyers) Silvers, also natives of Indiana, where the father was a successful agriculturist. William H. Silvers grew up under the parental roof and early became acquainted with thorough agricultural methods, assisting his father in the work of the farm. He received his education in the public schools but in 1861, when a youth of but seventeen years, he enlisted in Company G, Fortieth Indiana Regiment, and gallantly served for three years, one month and ten days in the Union army. He was wounded in the battle of Chattanooga. After the close of the war he farmed in Indiana for three years and then followed the same line of work in Iroquois county, Illinois, for eighteen years. Following the general westward trend, he removed to Boone county, Nebraska, where he remained for another period of eighteen years, having taken up a homestead claim, to the cultivation of which he gave his whole attention, becoming a successful farmer there. The year 1902 marked his arrival in Yakima county, Washington, and here he bought eighteen acres of land three miles west of Zillah. This tract was to some extent improved but Mr. Silvers set out apple trees and also a few pears and prunes. he erected a handsome residence, built a substantial barn, packing sheds and made other improvements, thus making his one of the most valuable fruit farms of the neighborhood. On March 13, 1864. Mr. Silvers was united in marriage to Nancy J. Reeves, a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Rebecca (Wells) Reeves, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Indiana. Her father followed farming and removed to Illinois, where his demise occurred. His wife passed away in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Silvers became the parents of four children, as follows: Charles N., who is ranching, is married and has had seven children, of whom four are living. Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of Richard Hardell, of Zillah, and they have eight children. William Edgar, who is ranching near his father's place, is married and has had eight children but two are now deceased. Annie married John Nobles, a resident of Nebraska, by whom she has five children. Mrs. Silvers has twenty-eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In his political affiliation Mr. Silvers was a democrat but held no political office after coming to Yakima county. While a resident of Boone county, Nebraska, however, he served for four years as sheriff. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a valued member of Kit Carson Post, G. A. R., to the Relief Corps of which organization Mrs. Silvers belongs. He was a devoted adherent of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Silvers is a faithful member, and in fact was deeply interested in all movements which had to do with moral and intellectual upbuilding. When death claimed him in his seventy-third year the news of his passing was received with profound regret by his many friends, all of whom appreciated his high character. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand to others in order to lighten life's burdens for them and he held friendship inviolable. In his business affairs he always followed the strictest principles of honesty and integrity, and his word stood in the estimation of any who had business dealings with him as high as any bond solemnized by signature and seal. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.