Melvin D. Silvey, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Melvin D. Silvey
MELVIN D. SILVEY, one of the directing heads of the well-known Silvey-Aylesworth Company, of Valparaiso, was born in Oakland, California, on November 10, 1881, the son of John and Mary Silvey, both of whom were born in Spain and come to the United States in 1855 separately. They settled with their respective parents in San Francisco, and were married in Almeda in 1861 and there engaged in truck farming. To this marriage were born three children: John, Mary and Melvin D. The latter at the age of twelve years, due to the death of his parents, was forced to make his way through life and found his first experience as a clerk in the employ of a clothing store.
However, he was imbued with a desire to see the world, and having a ready knowledge of the clothing and furnishing business was enabled to secure positions at different points on his journeys. In these ramblings he visited practically every state and city of consequence in the United States, securing much experience, including a period of service as a sales production manager. In 1923 he arrived in Valparaiso to accept a position with J. Lowenstine and Son and remained with this concern until the establishment of their present firm, Silvey and Aylesworth. This was founded as a partnership on January 1, 1926, and in June of the same year it was incorporated with capital stock of $20,000. The officers and directors are: M. D. Silvey, president; Kathryn McClay, vice-president; and Carroll W. Aylesworth, secretary and treasurer. The firm first took over the Specht-Finney Company and later installed a line of gent's furnishings, hats and haberdashery. It has constantly grown and is the exclusive representative of some of the most famous lines of merchandise in this country. Extensive improvements were made in 1926 in the store room, with a new entrance and new show windows enhancing the building. Mr. Silvey was united in marriage with Ethel, daughter of Murdock and Rebecca McClay, of Lake Linden, Michigan, on January 28, 1911. To this union were born two children: Robert Melvin and David Ross. Mr. Silvey is a member of the Masonic order, Shrine, Chamber of Commerce and the Elks. He is president of the Men's Club of the Presbyterian Church, and having a natural interest in the welfare of boys has served as Boy Scout commissioner during 1925 and 1926.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 219-220
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook