Sylvester Melvin

Sylvester Melvin (November 29, 1851 – March 12, 1962) was an American supercentenarian who is currently pending. He was born in a farm in Rubicon Township, Greene County, Illinois, to parents Thomas and Elizabeth Melvin. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1880, he married Addie Strickland. The couple had four children in total. One of them, Leon, died in 1920. In 1900, he started working as a secretary of the Greene County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. At age 107, he was still working for the same company. He also had a cattle firm called ”Sylvester Melvin and Sons”.

As a centenarian, he was capable of raking leaves in his garden. He could remember the American Civil War that began in 1861. His wife Addie died in 1953/1954. On his 109th birthday, the mayor declared it the ”Sylvester Melvin Day”. Businesses were closed for half an hour to his honour. He was reported to have poor eyesight. He lived with one of his daughers. His secret to longevity was ”just keep from dying”. On the occasion of his 110th birthday, he was hospitalized for a minor intestinal disorder. Melvin died on March 12, 1962, at the age of 110 years, 103 years.