Sylvester was born on June 15, 1821 in Hamilton County, Illinois. He married Elizabeth Lucrecia Bonner on Nov. 19, 1846. Elizabeth Bonner was born on Feb. 27, 1827 in Shelby County, Indiana. She died on Oct. 20, 1882, and was buried at Hartford, Kansas. Sylvester's father was Joseph B. Coburn. Elizabeth's parents were Samuel Bonner and Nancy (McCauley) Bonner.
