Name: Sly, James
Burial Date: 1919, 01/30
Age at Death: 90
Plot Location: 531 G
Notes: husband of Mary S (Sloat); Susan E (Newman) and Elizabeth (Niggeler) Heitzmann
War: Civil War
STERLING KANSAS BULLETIN OBITUARY 1919, 1/20
JAS. SLY DIED AT AGE OF NINETY
Was one of the Oldest Residents of Community-Had been Active Until Recently
The venerable James Sly, one of the oldest of the pioneer residents of this locality, died Tuesday afternoon at about five o’clock at his home in the southwest part of the city. He was aged ninety years, ten months and eight days. December 13th, Mr. Sly fell at his home and broke one hip, and complications which followed the injury were the cause of his death. About three weeks ago his condition became such that he was removed to the Sterling hospital for treatment. He grew gradually weaker and realizing that the end was near he asked to be taken to his home to die. Tuesday afternoon he was removed to his home where his death occurred a few hours later. He had many times expressed not only a willingness but an eagerness to go and death came to him as a welcomed relief from suffering.
James Sly was born in Ontario, Canada, March 20, 1828, and remained in Canada until 1839 when he moved with his parents to Michigan. On this trip from Canada to the United States, James walked the most of the distance, aiding in driving cattle that his father brought with him to Michigan. This seemed a long trip to the lad as he was but eleven years old and the cattle traveled slowly. After his parents settled on a farm James labored faithfully in assisting his father to provide for the family and improving the farm, until the opening of the Mexican war. Mr. Sly volunteered his services to his country but peace was declared before he had seen any active service.
When the south attempted to secede Mr. Sly again demonstrated his patriotism by taking up arms in defense of the union. He went to the front as a private in Co. C, 22nd Michigan Infantry and served faithfully for three years, after which time he received his honorable discharge, a document which he always prized very highly.
In the early 70s, Mr. Sly emigrated to Kansas and located in Reno county where he settled on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is in part still in his name. The remainder of his life was spent in this locality and for a number of years he had made his home in this city. In whatever community he made his home he was a quiet industrious citizen and had the respect of those about him. He was always ready to assist those in need of old and was a scrupulously honest man whose word was as good as his bond. His motto was to do right, take no advantage of his neighbor, help those in need, and above all else to pay every honest debt.
In 1859 on Christmas day, Mr. Sly was united in marriage to Mary Sloats. To this union two children were born, John R. and Lily S. The death of Mrs. Sly occurred in 1869, a few years before Mr. Sly came to Kansas. September 5, 1905, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Heitzman, whose death occurred about two years ago. Since her death he had been given every care by his stepdaughter, Mrs. Frieda Colby, who made her home with him. In spite of his advanced years Mr. Sly remained remarkably strong and vigorous in body until the time of the accident which caused his death, and was to be seen almost daily going about the streets.
Funeral services were held at the home Thursday afternoon at half past two o’clock and were conducted by Rev. C. D. Whitwam, pastor of the Methodist church.
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