Sylvia Frye was the daughter of William Josiah Frye and Emma M Dopler. She grew up in the Viola, Illinois area. She married William Gebhart in 1910 [he committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid in 1911] and she then married Harry C Riggen in 1912. They had three children; Russel Edward, Marjorie Louise and Dorothy May. Harry died in 1918 from the flu and diabetes. Sylvia married George Smith in 1925. She lived in Moline, Illinois with George until her death in 1931.Marjorie died at the age of 16 years due to polio.
Sylvia certainly lived a life filled with heartache, to say the least. Her mother must have died giving birth to Sylvia in 1888. It looks like Sylvia married Harry Gebhart in 1910 [see 1910 census] and that he committed suicide in 1911 by drinking carbolic acid. A newspaper death notice states that he was being pursued by his brother to repay loans. His children by a previous marriage went to live with their Grandmother Mann. A scandal of sorts was created by the story that Sylvia left town after the funeral with a well-dressed man. Very soon after Harry Gebhart's death, Sylvia married Harry C Riggen in 1912. Perhaps she and Harry were drawn to each other because of the tragedy that carbolic acid had brought to both of their lives. Harry died in 1918 from the flu and complications of [diabetes militis]. Sylvia [Silvice] Riggen is living in the John Mack household in 1920 [see Federal Census] along with Marjorie, Russel and Dorothy. Sylvia [Silvice] is listed as John Mack's "daughter-in-law". Russel, Dorothy and Margaret [Marjorie] are listed as "nephew" and "niece". Who is this John Mack? Why is Sylvia listed as a "daughter in law"? Did she marry one of John Mack's sons [although they were much younger than she]? Such a mystery! I have now come to realize that a lot of folks in those days lent a "helping hand" to families in need and instead of listing them as "servants or domestic help" they listed them as "family" Sylvia next married George Smith in 1925. She is living with George in 1930, along with Russel, Dorothy and Marjorie Riggens. Also living with George is Sylvia's brother Abney [Abbie]Fry. Sylvia died in 1931.

Sylvia Frye was the daughter of William Josiah Frye and Emma M Dopler. She grew up in the Viola, Illinois area. She married William Gebhart in 1910 [he committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid in 1911] and she then married Harry C Riggen in 1912. They had three children; Russel Edward, Marjorie Louise and Dorothy May. Harry died in 1918 from the flu and diabetes. Sylvia married George Smith in 1925. She lived in Moline, Illinois with George until her death in 1931.Marjorie died at the age of 16 years due to polio.
Sylvia certainly lived a life filled with heartache, to say the least. Her mother must have died giving birth to Sylvia in 1888. It looks like Sylvia married Harry Gebhart in 1910 [see 1910 census] and that he committed suicide in 1911 by drinking carbolic acid. A newspaper death notice states that he was being pursued by his brother to repay loans. His children by a previous marriage went to live with their Grandmother Mann. A scandal of sorts was created by the story that Sylvia left town after the funeral with a well-dressed man. Very soon after Harry Gebhart's death, Sylvia married Harry C Riggen in 1912. Perhaps she and Harry were drawn to each other because of the tragedy that carbolic acid had brought to both of their lives. Harry died in 1918 from the flu and complications of [diabetes militis]. Sylvia [Silvice] Riggen is living in the John Mack household in 1920 [see Federal Census] along with Marjorie, Russel and Dorothy. Sylvia [Silvice] is listed as John Mack's "daughter-in-law". Russel, Dorothy and Margaret [Marjorie] are listed as "nephew" and "niece". Who is this John Mack? Why is Sylvia listed as a "daughter in law"? Did she marry one of John Mack's sons [although they were much younger than she]? Such a mystery! I have now come to realize that a lot of folks in those days lent a "helping hand" to families in need and instead of listing them as "servants or domestic help" they listed them as "family" Sylvia next married George Smith in 1925. She is living with George in 1930, along with Russel, Dorothy and Marjorie Riggens. Also living with George is Sylvia's brother Abney [Abbie]Fry. Sylvia died in 1931.