My Genealogy Hound

W. S. SLY is a son of William H. and Maria (Smith) Sly, and was born at Parish, Oswego county, New York, March 20th, 1847. His grandfather, John Sly, was born in London, England, in 1784, and came to America with an uncle, when he was eight years old, who settled in De Kalb, St. Lawrence county. He remained with his uncle until he was twelve years of age and then he went to live with a Captain Fowler, with whom he resided until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Canada. In 1812 he returned to the United States and enlisted with Captain Fowler in the American army and was stationed at Sackett’s Harbor during the war. Forty-two years after the close of the war he received a land grant for his services. After the war he was engaged for a few years in running lumber from Oswego to Montreal and Quebec. He then purchased a farm in De Kalb, St. Lawrence county, New York, which he occupied and cultivated until his death, which occurred in his eighty-ninth year. He was twice married. First to Ellen, daughter of Hiram Lovejoy, by whom he had four children, two sons and two daughters: William H., father of W. S.; James, Julia, who married Philip Fellows, of Parish, N. Y.; and Laura, who married Bradley Taylor, of Michigan. His first wife died, and in 1842 he married Mrs. Maria (Fordham) Belden, daughter of Theodore Fordham, but had no children. The maternal grandfather of W. S. Sly was named Harvey Smith, who was born at Cobleskill, Schoharie county, N. Y., and was of German descent. He lived all his life and died on a farm in Parish, Oswego county, New York, where he owned three large farms. He died March, 1871, aged 77 years. He was a member of the Baptist church and was a quiet, reserved man, attending strictly to his own affairs, and accumulated considerable wealth, as fortunes were counted in those days. He was married in 1822 to Catherine, daughter of Charles Simonds, and had five children, three sons and two daughters: Maria (mother); Nancy, who married C. H. Davy, of Parish; Hiram, a farmer and lumberman in Oswego county; and David, who died while a young man, just after graduating from Fredonia academy. Mrs. Smith died in 1874 aged 76. William H. Sly (father) was born at Antwerp, October 18, 1825, and was educated in the public schools, supplemented by two years in Gouverneur academy. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship of seven years as a carpenter and joiner, which trade he followed the remainder of his life, working as a contractor in Oswego and St. Lawrence counties, New York, building mills, business blocks, etc. In religion he was a Methodist, being a member of the church of that denomination, and also a trustee for a number of years. He was married in September, 1844, to Maria Smith and had seven children, five sons and two daughters. The first-born died in infancy; the second was W. S.; then came George W., a carpenter and joiner in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was married first to Frances Redman, second to Mary Eason, and third to (name forgotten); Mary J., married to T. H. Wolfers, a carpenter and joiner, now foreman in a shop in Buffalo; Laura, who died aged twelve years; Charles died at four years of age; Harvey, a sewing machine agent, who married Ada Corlett and died September 20th, 1888. Mrs. Sly is still living at the age of 65 years.

W. S. Sly received his education in the public schools of St. Lawrence county, this State. At sixteen years of age he entered the shop of G. W. Burhaus at .Jamesville, Onondaga county, New York, manufacturer of doors, sash, blinds and broom handles, where he remained about a year and then enlisted January 6th, 1864, in Company C, 9th New York Heavy Artillery. He participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Monocacy Junction, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Petersburg. In the last named battle he was wounded in the right arm between the elbow and shoulder. He was honorably discharged September 20th, 1865, and returned to the shop of G. W. Burhaus at Jamesville, remaining there until the next spring, when he went on a farm in De Kalb, St. Lawrence county. September 6th, 1866, he came to Fredonia and worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner for Robert Wolfers for three years. He then went to Forestville and formed a partnership with Robert Wolfers, under the firm name of Wolfers & Sly, contractors and builders. Mr. Wolfers retired from the firm after a year had passed and Mr. Sly carried on the business for two years alone. In 1873 he returned to Fredonia and entered the employ of White & Wells, manufacturers of doors, sash, etc., with whom he remained until May 15th, 1890, when he entered into partnership with S. O. Codington, buying the White & Wells plant, which firm is still doing business, manufacturing sash, doors, blinds and building material, etc., and contracting and building. W. S. Sly is a member of Temple No. 49, Fredonia, Temple of Honor, at Fredonia, of which he is Select Templar. He is also a member of Lodge No. 314, American Legion of Honor; No. 104, Equitable Aid Union, and the Life Union, all at Fredonia. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fredonia, of whiich he has been steward three years.

W. S. Sly was married September 16th, 1869, to Ella B. Smith, daughter of La Fayette and Arabella (Hinkley) Smith, her father being a dealer in live stock in Laona, this county. By this union there have been three children, all sons: G. Eugene, who is a clerk for the grocery firm of Belden O. Leworthy, of Fredonia; Fred. S., who is at school; and J. Sidney, deceased.