Son of Zephaniah and Martha Henshaw Silver. Though his father was of strong Unionist sentiment, Zeph, like his brothers, joined the Confederate cause. At the outbreak of the war, he served in Captain Dodge's Company; and after
three months was transferred to the cavalry, Captain Bitser's Cavalry, and served with the Southern army.
After the war, Zeph and his brother William moved to Alton, Madison County, Illinois. William was killed in his early twenties by the kick of a horse.
Zeph attended Shurtleff College; and while working nine years on the farm of Z.B. Job, he eventually acquired a large farm estate for himself. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the county in his latter years.
Though the only Confederate veteran among many Union veterans in the area, he was popular and well-regarded
in the community. He served many terms on the County
Board of Supervisors, and was Woodriver Township collector in 1875 and 1877, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
He was known in the community as Zeph and as "Boss"
Silver. He died on a visit with relatives on March 5, 1914.
There was some legal controversy about his burial. His relatives wanted him buried in Bunker Hill and his friends
wanted Boss buried in Woodriver, Illinois.
(Bio provided by Dan McDonald.)
Company C 12th VA Cavalry CSA. (Information provided by the Order of Confederate Gray.)
three months was transferred to the cavalry, Captain Bitser's Cavalry, and served with the Southern army.
After the war, Zeph and his brother William moved to Alton, Madison County, Illinois. William was killed in his early twenties by the kick of a horse.
Zeph attended Shurtleff College; and while working nine years on the farm of Z.B. Job, he eventually acquired a large farm estate for himself. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the county in his latter years.
Though the only Confederate veteran among many Union veterans in the area, he was popular and well-regarded
in the community. He served many terms on the County
Board of Supervisors, and was Woodriver Township collector in 1875 and 1877, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
He was known in the community as Zeph and as "Boss"
Silver. He died on a visit with relatives on March 5, 1914.
There was some legal controversy about his burial. His relatives wanted him buried in Bunker Hill and his friends
wanted Boss buried in Woodriver, Illinois.
(Bio provided by Dan McDonald.)
Company C 12th VA Cavalry CSA. (Information provided by the Order of Confederate Gray.)
Son of Zephaniah and Martha Henshaw Silver. Though his father was of strong Unionist sentiment, Zeph, like his brothers, joined the Confederate cause. At the outbreak of the war, he served in Captain Dodge's Company; and after
three months was transferred to the cavalry, Captain Bitser's Cavalry, and served with the Southern army.
After the war, Zeph and his brother William moved to Alton, Madison County, Illinois. William was killed in his early twenties by the kick of a horse.
Zeph attended Shurtleff College; and while working nine years on the farm of Z.B. Job, he eventually acquired a large farm estate for himself. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the county in his latter years.
Though the only Confederate veteran among many Union veterans in the area, he was popular and well-regarded
in the community. He served many terms on the County
Board of Supervisors, and was Woodriver Township collector in 1875 and 1877, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
He was known in the community as Zeph and as "Boss"
Silver. He died on a visit with relatives on March 5, 1914.
There was some legal controversy about his burial. His relatives wanted him buried in Bunker Hill and his friends
wanted Boss buried in Woodriver, Illinois.
(Bio provided by Dan McDonald.)
Company C 12th VA Cavalry CSA. (Information provided by the Order of Confederate Gray.)
three months was transferred to the cavalry, Captain Bitser's Cavalry, and served with the Southern army.
After the war, Zeph and his brother William moved to Alton, Madison County, Illinois. William was killed in his early twenties by the kick of a horse.
Zeph attended Shurtleff College; and while working nine years on the farm of Z.B. Job, he eventually acquired a large farm estate for himself. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the county in his latter years.
Though the only Confederate veteran among many Union veterans in the area, he was popular and well-regarded
in the community. He served many terms on the County
Board of Supervisors, and was Woodriver Township collector in 1875 and 1877, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
He was known in the community as Zeph and as "Boss"
Silver. He died on a visit with relatives on March 5, 1914.
There was some legal controversy about his burial. His relatives wanted him buried in Bunker Hill and his friends
wanted Boss buried in Woodriver, Illinois.
(Bio provided by Dan McDonald.)
Company C 12th VA Cavalry CSA. (Information provided by the Order of Confederate Gray.)
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