Slyhoff Grave
Polk Township
Richard Slyhoff - born about 1825 (according to 1860 census) died January 2, 1867
The legend about Richard began shortly after his death that he was drunk and evil man. When he died he didn't want the devil to find him on Judgement day so his last wishes was to be buried under a large rock near his home. His wishes were carried out and he was buried and a headstone set in place. When some of the men came back a few years later that rock had moved away from the grave fully exposing the grave. How much truth is there to the legend? We may never know.
Richard was married according to the 1860 census
Name (1860 Census) Age Richard 35 Isabel 25 Hannah J 7 Mary M 4 Wm R 3 Amanda 1 Eliza 2 months Lucy A Brocious 21 Thomas Slyhoff 25 No record in the 1870 Census could be found for Isabel and the children. In 1880 several of the children are living with Daniel Lowe who is listed as their step-father in Cedar township, Calhoun County Iowa.
Contributed for use by the Jefferson County Genealogy Project http://www.pa-roots.com/jefferson/)
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