Minott Silliman

Minott Silliman was born in Delaware county, N. Y., September 24, 1810. His parents, Gershom, born May 24, 1783, and Polly (Coleman) Silliman, born August 16, 1787, were natives of Connecticut. Minott Silliman's father served in the War of 1812 to its close. He settled in Ohio in 1815, and continued to reside there until September 1, 1828, when he moved to Peoria county with his family. There he died December 2, 1856. His wife, Polly, died December 24, 1864. Gershom was one of the pioneer Baptists of Peoria county, and the same Elder Silliman who assisted or accompanied Essex to his first location in this county. Minott moved to Toulon in 1831, and settled there until 1836, when he opened a farm, afterwards known as the Culbertson farm. In 1837 he moved to Goshen township and opened the lands which he entered in 1835-6, building a cabin near the creek on section 24, moved to section 23, in 1840. In August, 1839 he was elected the first treasurer of the county and served until 1854. In 1850 he was elected coroner. He served as justice of the peace for some years. In 1870 he was United States Marshal for census. Mr. Silliman voted the Democratic ticket up to 1856, when he voted for the Republican candidates. He has been a Republican since that time. In 1861 he and Oliver Whitaker were chosen to take charge of the sustenance fund until the Toulon company was mustered in with the One-hundred-and-twelfth. His son Levi entered the One-hundred-and-twelfth Regiment, where he was wounded, but served out his term. Mr. Silliman was married in Essex township in 1833 to Miss Rhoda, daughter of Benj. Smith, one of the first settlers. This lady died May 9, 1841. He married Miss Henrietta Bethen for second wife, who died November 6, 1846. He married his present wife, Latitia Oziah, daughter of Anthony Oziah and Anne (Layne) Oziah, November 4, 1847. His children now living are Clarissa, now Mrs. Wilcox of Blair, Neb.; Levi, born September 17,1842, now a resident of Toulon; Sarah, residing at home, and Mary, born March 22, 1853, now Mrs. A. F. Stickney, of Toulon. He owns 110 acres of his entry in 1836, and thirty of his entry of 1835. His present residence was erected in 1864-5.