BLISH SYLVESTER COL. Deceased, was the son of Den.Thomas Blish, and was born Dec.31t, 1790, in the town of Glastenbury . State of Connecticut ; was married to Rhoda Cheney, Jan.1 1811. From private in the Connecticut State Militia, he attained the respective positions of Lieut., Cant., Major, Lieut. Colonel and Colonel, positions secured through merit, military pursuits being naturally congenial to him. He was a member of the Connecticut Legislature in 1833, always being a man of prominence in politics and matters pertaining to the general interests of the people. In the Winter of 1836 he was appointed one of the purchasing committee for the Wethersfield colony, came to Illinois as one of the committee, and purchased the land in Henry county, and returned home in August of that vear. In the month of June 1837, he started with his family in wagons for Henry county, Ill., and arrived there about the first of August, and settled on the N. W. 1/4 of section four , in Wethersfield township, Henry county, 111., where he opened a farm and resided until his death Oct. 3, 1855 . He was appointed postmaster at Wethersfield , 111., in 1838, which office he held until 1849, it : being the first and only post-office opened in this part of Henry county up to that time. He was a prominent man in the early history of Henry county, and his house was the general stopping place in that vicinity for many years. He was also one of the original proprietors of the town of Kewanee, and the first postmaster in the town, which office he held until his death. His body was the second interment made in the Ke wanee cemetery, which grounds he gave to the town of Kewanee for burial purposes.
Submitted by Wini Caudell
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois
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Illinois Ancestors