Sylvester Lyman deceased. American biography has always been considered to be of the greatest interest, far outranking in this regard the same study in any other country. The cause of this is the large proportion of self-made men in our population, men who have plucked the flowers of success from the thorns of difficulty. Mr. Lyman, the subject of this memoir, illustrates this fact. He was born at Westhampton, Blandford County, Massachusetts, February 26, 1826. At the age of fourteen years his father moved his family to Shiawassee County, Michigan, where Mr. Lyman assisted in the farm work for some years; then taught school.
In 1852 he came to California, across the plains, with a party of pioneers; he was exposed to great dangers and endured many hardships. The first ten years he spent in mining in Sierra County, then in its golden boom.
When the ” gold fever ” broke out in Arizona and on Fraser river, he went on a prospecting tour to both places; being disappointed with his trip, he returned to Santa Clara County, California, and took charge of a grain rancho.
In 1864 he was married at Saratoga to Miss Nettie Pollock, of Marysville, Union County, Ohio. They had one daughter-Lutie, who, with her mother, now reside on the old home. In 1875 Mr. Lyman bought 160 acres of land at Westminster, now in Orange County, out of which he made a fine rancho and on which he erected a beautiful residence. He owned land in San Diego, also an interest in Arrow-head Hot Springs, in San Bernardino County, where he was manager at the time of his death, which occurred March 11, 1889. In his home life Mr. Lyman was kindness itself; very social and hospitable. The needy always found a helping friend in him. In his conduct he was strictly honorable and upright, and as a citizen was loved and respected by all.