WI BIO - Dane Co - GURNEE, Sylvester O. Y.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 580-581

Sylvester O. Y. GURNEE, a resident of Fitchburg, Dane County, WI, was born in 
the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, NY, 20 Feb 1830. His father, 
Caleb, was born in NY City in 1802, and his father, Caleb GURNEE, Sr., was 
also born in NY, and the great grandfather of our subject was born in France, 
and his name was Samuel. Samuel GURNEE, with his brother Stephen GURNEE, 
came to the U. S. in colonial times. The grandfather of our subject learned 
the trade of shoemaker, but did not follow it long. In 1810 he emigrated to 
Onondaga County, NY, making the removal in the winter season. Here he bought 
a tract of timber, turned his attention to farming, resided there some years, 
then sold and settled in the town of Sempronius, Cayuga County, NY, where he 
died at the age of 65 years. The maiden name of the his wife was Margaret 
GURNEE, born in NY State, daughter of Stephen GURNEE.

The father of our subject learned the trade of mason, which he 
followed until 1844, when he rented land in Cayuga County, NY, remained there 
until 1850, and then removed to WI. He was accompanied by his wife and five 
children. The journey was made over the Erie Canal to Buffalo, NY, and then 
steamer to Patchen, WI, and Port Washington [Ozaukee County], WI. He located 
16 miles north of Milwaukee, WI, in the town of Mequon, in what is now 
Ozaukee County [created from Milwaukee County in 1853], and resided there 
until 1865, when he sold his farm and moved to Dane County, WI, buying land 
in Cottage Grove Township, and there he remained until his death, which 
occurred on 01 Nov 1884. The maiden name of the mother of our subject, who 
he [Caleb GURNEE] married on 09 Nov 1823, was Electa YOUNG, born near 
Skaneateles, Onondaga County, NY, the daughter of James and Rachel YOUNG.

Electa (YOUNG) GURNEE died in Cottage Grove Township, Dane County, WI, in Jan 
1876, aged 68 years. She reared seven children: (1) Robert Earl, who lives 
in Skaneateles, Onondaga County, NY; (2) Levina, married Henry L. MANDEVILLE 
and lives in Rockford, Winnebago County, IL; (3) Sylvester O. Y., our 
subject; (4) Emeline E., married Rev. George FELLOWS of Waukesha, Waukesha 
County, WI; (5) Mary J., married William H. COLBY, and lives in Wesley, 
Kossuth County, IA; (6) Adeline, married Vincent C. GASTON, and lives in 
Cottage Grove, Dane County, WI; and (7) George E., who resides in Tacoma 
[Pierce County], WA.

Sylvester O. Y. GURNEE was three years old when his parents moved to the 
Territory of Michigan and lived one year in Ypsilanti [now in Washtenaw 
County, MI], and then moved to Cayuga County, NY, where he attended the 
public schools. At the age of 15 years he began to work with his father at 
his trade, and alternated with that and working on the farm until the time 
the family came to WI. In the fall of 1851 he Sylvester returned to NY, 
remained there a year, and then returned to WI, rented land, and engaged in 
farming in addition to working at his trade. In 1855 he went to Appleton 
[Outagamie County], WI, where he remained two years at college, and after 
this until 1860 he taught school during the winter and followed his trade the 
remainder of the year. In 1860 he rented a farm in Walworth County, WI, for 
two years, and then worked [p 581] in Waukesha, WI, at his trade until 1870, 
when he went to KS, located in Johnson County, and made a claim on the 
Shawnee reservation. Here he built and lived six years, then sold his land, 
went to TX, settled on school land in Navaroo County, where he built, 
improved a part of the land, lived there a few months, then sold his claim 
and returned to his farm in Cottage Grove, Dane County, WI. Sylvester bought 
this farm and resided there until 1887, when he sold and bought where he now 
resides.

Sylvester O. Y. GURNEE has been twice married, first in 1857, to Miss Mary A. 
THOMPSON, born in Waukesha, Waukesha County, WI, whose parents were pioneers 
of Waukesha, but she died the same year. They had two children, Edgar C. and 
Jesse. A. In 1868 Sylvester O. Y. GURNEE married Miss Jane CLEVELAND, born 
in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Charles CLEVELAND, a pioneer of Winnebago 
County, IL. [For possible connections see also the Winnebago County, IL, 
CLEVELAND biographies.] Mrs. GURNEE was left an orphan at an early age, was 
reared and educated by Mr. GREAR, and commenced teaching when quite young, 
first at Evansville [Rock County, WI] and then at Waukesha, WI, until her 
marriage. Sylvester O. Y. and Jane (CLEVELAND) GURNEE had two children, Emma 
J. and Floyd C. Mr. and Mrs. GURNEE are both members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mr. GURNEE is a Republican in politics, and has served as 
delegate to various county, district, and State conventions.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly