Sylvester S. Bearss (1837 - 1929)

Born 31 Jan 1837 in Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 9 Aug 1929 at age 92 in Sawtelle, California, United States

Biography

Sylvester Bearss was born in Ontario, Canada on 31 January 1837, the son of David Hilliard Bearss and Anna (Unknown). He was the third of their eight children. Sylvester married Sarah Ann Hardy on 17 September 1861 in Bear Creek, Pepin, Wisconsin. They had at least seven children, all born in the United States. ^{[1] [2]}

Sylvester served as a Private the Union during the Civil War, enlisting 4 January 1864 as a Private, Co. F, 12th Wisconsin Infantry. He was discharged 16 July 1865, cause of discharge: M O.

He also served in Co. G, 25th Wisconsin Infantry. ^[3]

The 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 1862-1865, ^{[4] [5]} and the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, 1863-1865, apparently fought together closely. The list of battles overlap at times. Both units participated in the battles of Vicksburg,mAtlamta, Jonesboro, Salkehatchie Swamp, and Bentonville, among others. ^{[6] [7]}

In 1870, the Bearss family lived in Durand, Pepin, Wisconsin. The household included Sylvester Bearss, 33, a farmer, born in Canada; his wife Sarah, b. NY; and their three children, all b. Wisconsin. ^[8]

In 1880, they lived in Custer Nebraska. Sylvester Bearss, 42, was a farmer. He lived with his wife Sarah, 41, and their six children, all born in Wisconsin. ^[9]

In 1910, they lived in Kearney Ward 3, Buffalo, Nebraska. Sylvester, 73, and his wife Sarah, 71, had been married 49 years, and had had eight children, seven of whom were living. They owned their house without a mortgage. ^[10]

In 1920, Sylvester Bearss and his wife were living in Long Beach, California, at 3219 E. 4th Street. The house was built in 1915, a three bedroom, 1228sf, California Craftsman style home. ^[11]

He was widowed in 1923. On 21 September 1927, Sylvester, 90, was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Sawtelle, California, with disabilities of defective vision, myocarditis, and arteriosclerosis. He was 5’5”, of medium complexion, with blue eyes and gray hair. He could read and write. Sylvester’s Army Pension was $72.

Sylvester, 92, died in the Home on 9 August 1929. Cause of death was Pneumonia and myocarditis. His personal effects were listed as $15.22 in cash, which was released to is daughter, Adella M. Smith, 1254 E. 1st Street, Long Beach, California. ^[12]

Sylvester Bearss was buried with his wife, Sarah and their son, John Henry Bearss in Sunnyside Cemetery, Long Beach, Los Angeles, California. ^{[13] [14] [15] [16]}

Sources

Middle initial, S., found on FindAGrave and the record of his son, John H. Bearss’ marriage: Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-6TPL)

1. ↑ "Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRGW-VGB : 30 January 2020), Sylvester Bearsse, 1861.
2. ↑ FamilySearch Person: KH3R-JS2
3. ↑ "United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6WP-TYC : 20 August 2019), Sylvester Bearss, 1907-1933; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,634,168.
4. ↑ nps.gov The Civil War, Soldier Search (https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=DED99480-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A)
5. ↑ nps.gov The Civil War, Battle Unit Details https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UWI0012RI)
6. ↑ nps.gov The Civil War, Soldier Search (https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=23D89480-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A)
7. ↑ nps.gov The Civil War, Battle Unit Details (https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UWI0025RI)
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNS9-L4W : 29 May 2021), Sylvester Bearss, 1870.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YH-G11 : 14 January 2022), Sylvester Bearse, Custer, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLWR-F8C : accessed 4 May 2023), Sylvester Bearss, Kearney Ward 3, Buffalo, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 44, sheet 1B, family 25, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 839; FHL microfilm 1,374,852.
11. ↑ Zillow.com (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3219-E-4th-St-Long-Beach-CA-90814/21224989_zpid/)
12. ↑ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6H-N62X : 1 March 2021), Sylvester Bearss, 1929.
13. ↑ California Death Index, 1905-1939 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK91-4M6K)
14. ↑ US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8MS-4F7) image attached to WikiTree profile
15. ↑ Burial data and Grave photo by [Metcalf-1784]
16. ↑ FindAGrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6889984/sylvester-bearss)