His first name was also spelled "Sylvanus."

Married (1) Rachel Hiatt (license dated December 24, 1837) in Wayne Co., Indiana. Married (2) Catharine Edman on September 29, 1843 in Randolph Co., Indiana. Father of one daughter by his first marriage and six children by his second.

An elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Served as Representative (Republican ticket) for Kosciusko County in the 1858 Indiana General Assembly.

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Northern Indianian (Warsaw, Indiana), March 21, 1878, p. 2, col 8 & 9

After a protracted illness the Rev. S. Davison has passed that bourne from whence no traveler returns. He has tasted the cup of mortality, lived out his probation, met and grappled with the grim monster Death, and through faith in the merits of a risen Savior, has come off more than victor, and has taken up the song of triumph.

"Oh, death, where is thy sting!
Oh grave, where is thy victory!"

He has for a moment felt the chilling waters of the Jordan of death and passed over to the promised rest on the better shore. Thus are the mighty fallen - one here and one there. One by one they are passing swiftly away. How often and forcibly are we reminded of the uncertainty of death; yet, how little we heed it. Mr. Davison was a man possessed of a kind social disposition; one who took a lively interest in the religious, moral and political welfare of the people with whom he lived; one who was looked up to as a faithful follower in Israel. He was a faithful, arduous, earnest worker in the vineyard of the Master, and his honest labors were acknowledged by both religious and political bodies in the conferment of such honors as this world can bestow; but the real object of Mr. Davison's zeal was the prize that lay at the end of the race; which he has undoubtedly received at the hands of the Master of Light. Mr. Davison was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 29, 1818; moved to Randolph county, Ind., with his father in 1822, and to Kosciusko in 1840; joined the M.E. church at the age of twenty-three, and was licensed to preach in 1851; was ordained a deacon in 1862, and an elder in 1866 joined the Masonic order in Leesburg, June 18, 1856; was elected to the state legislature in 1858, filling also several county and township offices, all of which stations in life he filled with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of those who conferred this token of confidence and respect upon him. He died at his home on Thursday morning, March 14, 1878, aged 59 years, seven months and fifteen days. The funeral services were held at the Christian church under the direction of the Masonic order of this place; the discourse, delivered by Rev. Mr. Graham, was listened to by a large and attentive audience, after which the remains were taken to the cemetery, where the services were closed with the solemn and impressive Masonic ceremonies.

As sinks the sun beneath the west;
And shadows of the night close in,
So has a brother sunk to rest
From toil and sorrow, pain and sin;
And as the Orient sun shall rise,
And shine with the undiminished ray,
So shall the form that lowly lies,
Be raised to lie in that great day.

J.M.

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1850 census, Kosciusko county:
Silvanus Davidson, 32, farmer & Catharine, 23; Sarah E., 9; Lydia J., 5; and Mary M., 2 months old.
John Crider, 13, is also living here.

In 1860, Sarah wasn't here anymore because she married George Yetter in '57, but Silvanus & Catharine have two more daughters: Louisa M., 7, and Almira, 2.

1870 census:
Silvenus Davison, 51 & Catharine, 40
Lydia, 23; Louisa, 17; Elmira, 12; and Hannah, 4
Mary isn't here anymore because she married Henry Elliott last year. They have a baby daughter Rebecca now.

Daughter Lydia will marry John Davis in '72, Louisa will marry Jacob Goshert in '76, and Hannah will marry Joseph Lay in '83. Hannah dies after having a son Arthur.