GOTTLEIB F. SILVER. Although born in a land far distant from this, Mr. Silver is a stanch defender of the interests of his adopted home and there is within the bounds of Moultrie County no more patriotic citizen than he. From early childhood he has had his own way to make in the world and he has done well, for he has risen from poverty to a position of importance among his fellow-men. Nor has he been successful in accumulating a competency only, but in the best sense of the word he has been successful in gaining the respect of his associates, in justly winning a name for uprightness and honor, and in being numbered with the representative citizens of the county.

Wurtemberg, Germany, was the native place of his home as mistress, Miss Mary J. Bear. They were married in Bloomington, this State, in June, 1862. The lady is a daughter of Samuel Bean who died in Macon County, this State. The mother is also deceased. Mrs. Mary J. Shirey was born in Cumberland County, Pa., April 17, 1844. She bore her husband eight children, whose names are Georgia A., Almeda, Samuel B., Leonora M., Charles, Homer, Gertrude, and Frankie. The eldest daughter is the wife of Orange Behan. Almeda married Oliver 0. Dawson. Leonora M. is the wife of J. H. White. Frankie died when one and a half years old.

Mrs. Mary J. Shirey departed this life March 28, 1891. She was a true Christian and a conscientious, God-fearing woman, a member of the Lutheran Church and an interested, ardent worker. After marriage our subject settled first in Macon County, this State where he lived until 1874, when he removed to Moultrie County and settled in Lovington Township, finding this climate and country pleasant and adapted to his methods of agricultural employment. He has always been engaged in farming and upon the place where he at present resides there are many and valuable improvements there made by his own hands. He has a delightful home that, while neat and attractive exteriorly, interiorly presents the comforts and refinements that are so necessary to the enjoyment of life. Books abound, and the current literature of the day is found upon his shelves and tables. The domestic management is apparently without a flaw and the inner man is provided with the most toothsome delicacies. He here owns one hundred and forty-four and one-half acres.

A Democrat is his political preference, our subject is first of all an adherent of the principles of honor and right. Party is little to him, irrespective of the purposes and plans that it matures and executes for the benefit of the masses of the people. He has held several important offices in the gift of the township, having been Highway Commissioner for a number of years. He is also School Trustee, and in this direction his desire is to be thoroughly abreast with the times in educational matters and to procure for the young people of this district such advantages that they will never have occassion to look back with regret upon the days spent in school. Socially he of whom we write is a member of the Masonic fraternity, becoming thus connected about twelve years. On the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in the Union Army, in August, 1862, and was mustered into Company B, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Regiment, with which he served for a period of six months, at the expiration of which time, he was discharged on account of disability. Mr. Shirey is a man who is not satisfied with mediocrity in any way. He is not ambitious to possess great tracts of land, but does care that that of which he is owner, should be cultivated to the fullest possible extent.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 369/372

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