“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


GEORGE SILVERTHORN,  deceased; born in Canada Nov. 8, 1798; 
received a common-school education; at an early age, he learned the 
trade of flour-milling, which he followed in Canada for over ten years.  
Married there, in the autumn of 1823, Miss Sarah Austin, who was born 
in Stony Creek, Canada, Dec. 22, 1802; they had twelve children, seven 
now living – John, George, Willis, Mary Ann, Esther, Caroline and Ella.  
In the autumn of 1843, he and family came to Wisconsin, locating in 
Oakland Township, Sec. 28; bought 160 acres of land, which he bought 
at Government price; on his place he built and lived in a rude hut with a 
thatched roof.  He was a hard worker and a shrewd manager.  He owned, 
at various times, many of the farms in Oakland Township.  In a very 
early day, he used oxen for hauling wheat to Milwaukee, a distance of 
sixty-five miles; he has sold wheat for the price of 25 cents per bushel; 
when so unfortunate as to have his wagon break down, the cost to have it 
repaired was more than the money he received for his wheat.  Mr. 
Silverthorn was a public-spirited man, and always worked for the 
interest and prosperity of the township.  He was a Democrat.  He died 
Jan. 6, 1873; his wife died July 4, 1873.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel