Sayre, Sylvester Brown

Passed: 1940-12-20

Age: 70

Source:

Death Notice: 1940-12-22

Obituary Date:

Information: Funeral services for Sylvester Brown Sayre, former county sheriff and assessor of the county were held from the Epworth church in Ripley on Sunday afternoon, Dec 22, with the Rev. John J. Loudin in charge and burial was in Otterbein cemetery. The Vail mortuary had charge of the funeral arrangements.  Mr. Sayre died at his Ripley home shortly after 4 o’clock on Friday evening, December 20.  He had been seriously ill and death had been expected.  During the past two and more years he had been practically an invalid and on Wednesday night prior to his death double pneumonia developed and members of the family were told that the end was only a few hours away.  Sylvester Brown Sayre, son of John Wesley and Nora (Brown) Sayre, was born at Colrain, Ohio, November 1, 1870 and died December 20, 1940 at Ripley, age 70 years, 1 month, and 19 days.  His father purchased a farm near Rockcastle to which the family came when Mr. Sayre was about one year old, where he grew to manhood and was actively identified with affairs and business of that part of the county.  He was united in marriage with Clara Kessel, November 12, 1891, who was a daughter of James Mason and Flora Jane (Parsons) Kessel.  To this union was born attorney Floyd M. Sayre and Mr. Everett S. Sayre, of Beckley, Mrs. U. G. Jordan of Charleston, and Virginia Sayre, who died October 18, 1918 at the age of 5 years.  At the time of their marriage he purchased a farm on Parchment Creek where they resided for many years and yet own the farm.  Later he purchased the Riley-Casto farm near the Pleasant Hill church on Parchment Creek where they resided until they became residents of Ripley, about 20 years ago. Their farms comprise one of the larger acreages in this county.  During all the years of his residence on the farms and for many years afterwards he was recognized as one of the leading and successful farmers and livestock men of the county.  He was a progressive farmer, was untiring in trying to improve his land and took great pride in handling splendid livestock.  He was one of the financial leaders in the county, was one of the organizers and original stockholders and directors of the Citizen State Bank of Ripley, in which bank he served as Vice President.  After this bank and the First National Bank of Ripley were merged, he became a director in the bank and also served as Vice President of that institution for some time.      At an early age in life he became interested and active in politics.  The people of this county honored him by electing him to two of the highest offices in the county. He was elected and served as assessor one term and at the expiration of this office he was elected sheriff in which position he served from 1921 to 1925. In both of these offices he rendered the best of service and made a most excellant official.  Since becoming a resident of Ripley he was elected and served as Mayor of the town two or three terms. For many years he was an active member of the Fairplain I.O.O.F. Lodge.  He was a member and regular attendant of the Epworth Methodist Church of Ripley.  He was likewise a leader in the civic affairs of the county and had an active and important part in the improvement of our good road system. During his active career he supported and aided with many things for the betterment of our county and community.  Mr. Sayre is survived by his wife and three children, several grandchildren, and one brother, Mr. E. J. Sayre of Evans.