Addison

ILSLEY, Silas Augustine

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 234

Silas Augustine ILSLEY, banker and retired manufacturer, Middlebury [Addison 
County, Vermont], was born 13 Mar 1840 at Brooklyn [Kings County], New York, 
son of Silas and Lucy Prince Stetson (HARDING) ILSLEY. Educated in the 
public schools of Brooklyn. At the age of eighteen received appointment as 
clerk in Atlantic Bank of New York, holding the position three years. On 18 
April 1861 enrolled as corporal in Company E, Fourteenth New York Volunteer 
Infantry; mustered in as second lieutenant of Company I on 01 August 1861; 
discharged 17 February 1862 for promotion to first lieutenant of Company I, 
Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry; discharged 25 June 1862 for 
promotion and mustered in as first lieutenant and adjutant of the One hundred 
and fifty-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry on 22 August 1862; major, 17 
October 1864; discharged 17 February 1865. Was brevetted lieutenant colonel 
of U. S. Volunteers.

In October 1865 Colonel ILSLEY embarked in the manufacture of tinware in 
Brooklyn, building up one of the largest industries of its kind in America. 
Retired from active business March 1901, and three months later came to 
Middlebury, where he has since lived. In January 1904 purchased the fair 
grounds at Middlebury and transferred them by deed of gift to the Addison 
County Agricultural Society, having expended upon them more than $40,000; in 
1905 built at his own expense the fine marble Memorial Baptist Church in 
memory of his father and presented the same, together with a parsonage and an 
ample endowment, to the Middlebury Baptist Society; gave to the town of 
Middlebury an imposing soldiers monument in memory of Middlebury men who died 
in the Civil War, which was unveiled on Memorial Day of 1905. Is president 
of the National Bank of Middlebury. Republican. Trustee Memorial Baptist 
Church of Middlebury; has office at 141 Broadway, New York. In 1863 [Silas 
Augustine ILSLEY] married [Miss?] Mary E. OSBORNE of Brooklyn [Kings County], 
New York; they have no living children.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly