Died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Heuerinan, near Phillips, Neb., on Friday, Feb. 5, 1909, after an illness lasting only about three weeks, Silas Masters, aged 88 years. Interment took place in the Morley cemetery, on Sunday, Feb. 7, Rev. William Esplin of the M.E. church conducting the services. Mr. Masters came to Washington county in the fall of 1856 and settled on a farm near Arlington, with the exception of a few years which he spent with his son in Arkansas. He had been a resident of Washington county continuously until about four years ago, when he went out to Hamilton county to live with a daughter.

#2-February 11, 1909- Arlington Review Herald- Silas Masters

A Washington County Pioneer Passes Over the Great Divide

Died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Heuermann, near Phillips, Neb. On Friday, Feb. 5, 1908, after an illness lasting only about three weeks, Silas Masters, aged 88 years. Interment will take place in the Morley cemetery on Sunday, Feb. 7. Rev Wm. Esplin, of the M.E. church conducting the services.

The above is the last act in a long and active life. Silas Masters was born in Green County, Pa., July 6, 1820. He grew to be a sturdy lad of 16 in the Keystone state, and in 1836 he moved with his parents to Steuben County, In., where they settled on a farm near the town of Fremont. The family continued to reside in Indiana for about 20 years, with the exception of about four years they resided in Michigan. In 1856, Silas who had in the meantime married a Miss Mary Pettit, of Ohio, packed up his earthly possessions and started for the boundless west, landing in Washington County in the fall of that year. He at once looked around for a farm and soon acquired title to one northeast of town now owned by B.C. Marshall, under the pre-emption laws prevailing at that time. The following year, 1857, his parents accompanied by the balance of the family arrived after a long and uneventful overland journey, their personal belongings being loaded in wagons hauled by oxen. Thus reinforced by the presence of home folks, Silas proceeded to till his farm, and improve the same as opportunity afforded. In the early 70’s he erected a hotel in Arlington, then known as Bell Creek, on the corner now occupied by the Masonic block. He left the farm and for several years was known as Landlord Masters. It was while running the hotel that he met with an accident that nearly ended his life. He was crossing the railroad tracks just north of Nickerson when he was struck by a passing train and badly injured about the head, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. In those days Mr. Masters was a man of immense strength, and many are the stories that are related touching his many exhibitions in an early day of what he was able to do with his strength. After the railroad accident Mr. Masters lost interest in the hotel business and sold out and returned to his farm where he remained until he disposed of it to B. C. Marshal, the present owner. After selling his farm he joined a son in Arkansas, where he remained several years. He returned to Washington County and erected the house on Seventh Street now occupied by B.G. Hadley, where he resided for a good many years. It was in this house about 14 years ago that his wife died. Selling this property he purchased some lots on First Street, where he erected for himself a home, and continued to reside until about four years ago when he sold out and went to live with his daughter in Hamilton County. He is survived by three sons and one daughter; Winfield Masters, of Buffalo Gap, S.D., Oscar of California; Henry of Alberta, Canada, and Mrs. Wm. Heuermann, of Phillips, Neb. The latter was the only member of the family present at the funeral. A brother, A. Masters of this place and two sisters also survive him.

This in brief is a history of a very busy life. It was work with him all the time. He knew not what it was to be idle. During the last years he spent in Arlington, he did considerable gardening on the lots he owned and made considerable money every season selling the fruits of his labor and it was no unusual thing to see him going along the street shoving a wheelbarrow laden with fresh vegetables from his garden which he was delivering to his customers. This he did until he sold his place here and joined the family of his daughter.

The sickness that resulted in his death was of short duration lasting about three weeks. His remains were brought to Arlington, Saturday, and on Sunday they were laid to rest in the Morley Cemetery, alongside of his wife, the partner of his joys and trials during the pioneer days in Washington County.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #9104794