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DIED: KIRBY in Soquel January 29, Silas W. Kirby a native of Illinois aged 42 years.

Notes Contributed by Richard Nutter, Great-Great Grandson

Silas W. Kirby was born on May 5, 1845 in Como, Illinois. His father, Gresham Kirby, traveled to California and settled in Soquel around 1851 and became involved in the lumber business. Silas traveled to Soquel by wagon train with his mother and six sisters and brothers some time before 1857, judging by a book owned by Richard Nutter and signed “Silas Kirby, Soquel, May A.D. 1857

Silas and his brother Seth enlisted into the service of the United States on November 12, 1864 in Watsonville. He was formally mustered into Company A 8th Regiment of Infantry California Volunteers on the 17th day of November 1864.

Both he and his brother served for a period of approximately 6 months on the Columbia River at Dalles, Oregon and at the mouth of the Columbia in Washington State. They were mustered out after about six months as the war had ended. Silas was a private, and Seth was a sergeant.

Seth is buried in Porterville and Silas in Soquel alongside an infant son of the same name.

Silas Wright Kirby was married to Mary E. Pangles on Dec. 29, 1877.

Date of Birth: 1845-05-05

Date of Death: 1886-01-29

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Soquel Cemetery

Date of Marriage: 1877/12/29

Spouse: Pangles_ Mary E

Occupation: Farmer

Last City: Soquel

Native of: IL

Enlisted: 1864/11/12

Discharged: 1865/10/24

Military Unit: CA_ 8 Inf_ Co A

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: E-Wtsnvll_ D-FtPnt

GAR#: N/R

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: Orton's CMiWR