Amador
County
Biographies
THOMAS SILVA
Thomas Silva, a respected pioneer
citizen of Amador County, is a native of Portugal, born on the 15th
of June, 1837. He acquired his early
education in the land of his nativity and in 1851 came to California, arriving
in San Francisco in the month of May.
His boat had just arrived in the harbor when the great fire swept over
the city, bringing destruction to the greater part of the town. Leaving the Pacific port Mr. Silva made his
way to Mormon Island, where he engaged in placer mining. He also mined at Ford’s Bar, on the American
River, but did not meet with the success he had anticipated. He had no trouble with the Indians in those
early days, and such was his quiet and peaceful nature that he avoided
difficulty with all men, even at a time when trouble was very prevalent. After two years spent in mining he engaged in
the butchering business in Drytown, and during the
first year was associated with a partner, but since that time has always
conducted business alone. In the pioneer
epoch he supplied meat to people over a great radius of territory, and his
honorable dealing and enterprising spirt brought to
him creditable success. In 183, however,
he sold his market in Drytown and came to Plymouth,
where he built a shop and for a number of years conducted the only meat market
here. At a recent date, on account of
his advanced years, he turned his business over to his son-in-law, Lorenzo
Burke.
In 1863 Mr. Silva was united in
marriage to Mrs. Dolores Parris, who by her first marriage hone one child, Paseta Dolores, now the wife of Vincent Monserro. Mr. and Mrs. Silva also had a daughter,
Antonio M., now the wife of Lorenzo Burke.
Mrs. Silva died in 1895, and Mr. Silva now makes his home in his
declining years with his daughter. He
has been a life-long republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the principles
of the party. He was made a Master Mason
in Drytown Lodge, No. 174, F. & A. M., and is one
of the oldest representatives of the craft in this locality. He is recognized as one of the most valued
members of the organization, has filled all of its offices and is now past
master. He has acquired a thorough
knowledge of the tenets of the society, and in his life he exemplifies the
noble principles of the fraternity. A
good Mason is always a good citizen, for the order inculcates among men all
that is just, true, upright and honorable.
Throughout his business career his industry and capable management were
marked and brought to him a creditable competence, which now enables him to
enjoy the rest which should every crown the later years of man.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 545-546. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Amador County Biographies