Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William H. Sylvis
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 12, 2012
1. William H. Sylvis Marker
1828 - - - - - 1869
Born - Armagh, Pa. November 26, 1828
Died - Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 1869
America’s First National Labor Leader.
Founder, National Union of Iron Moulders,
July 5, 1859
Founder, National Labor Union, 1866,
Father of the 8 hour day Campaign in the United States. Lived to see it enacted into law for Federal Employees in 1869.
Sylvis will always be remembered for these simple lines penned in 1863 -
“I love this Union cause. I hold it more dear than I do my family or my life. I am willing to devote to it all that I am or have or hope for in this World.”
His death was mourned by workers through-out the World. This stanza of a poem entitled The Fallen Hero is testimony to the respect for Sylvis held by his peers.
“Let every heart sincere,
in memory let fall
a heartfelt sympathetic tear
upon his humble pall:
our simple tribute to the mind
that has no equal left behind.”
Erected 1979 by International Molders and Allied Workers Union.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1852.
Location. 39°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jerry Wurf (here, next to this marker); Walter Philip Reuther (here, next to this marker); Joseph A. Beirne (here, next to this marker); Samuel Gompers (here, next to this marker); Patrick J. Quinlan (here, next to this marker); Peter J. McGuire (here, next to this marker); Michael J. Quill (here, next to this marker); Philip Murray (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.
Also see . . . William H. Sylvis. Rootsweb website entry (Submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Photographed By Al Wolf, July 6, 2008
2. Eugene Debs Home (Museum)
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 12, 2012
3. William H. Sylvis Marker - - (Fourth from Left)
via Rootsweb, unknown
4. William H. Sylvis
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
