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In the 1972, November 28th edition of the Troy Messenger was this story about Solomon Siler, one of the earliest settlers in Pike County

Solomon Siler was one of the first settlers to come to Pike County.  He was also considered one of the richest men of his day.  Rumor has it that he had so much gold that it had to be carried by oxcart when he moved from the Henderson community to Orion.

Siler and his family came from North Carolina and settled in the vicinity of Henderson.  He soon acquired extensive land holdings.  Siler put up a mill and blacksmith shop near what is known as Siler Mill Creek.  For a time after his move to Orion, Siler maintained his holdings in the Henderson Community.

The house built by Siler in the Orion Community still stands.  It is visible from U. S. 231, which was the main street of Orion at the time Siler lived there and was known as Broad Street.

Siler continued his practice of making the community where he lived one where religion and education were foremost in the minds of its citizens.  He was one of the major advocates of erecting a school and college.  His idea was that the youth need not be sent to other states for schooling, which could be provided in their home community.

When the Alabama Legislatures passed an act in 1848 to erect the “Orion Male and Female Institute of Pike County.”  Siler was named as one of the trustees.  Others were William Talbot, James Talbot, Enoch Salter, E. G. McLendon, Levi Freeman, and William Mccullough.  Isaac  Nall donated land for the institute, and Siler began the building fund with a donation of $3,000.  He also purchased a bell for $100 which was placed atop the building.  Another bell of the same value was given to the Baptist Church in Orion. Both were cast in England.

Siler died in 1854, but the final settlement of the estate was not made until 1862. At that time, he had land holdings in almost every part of the county, which totaled 10,994 acres plus a lot and 3 residences.  The total value of the estate at the time of settlement was listed at $522,825.

Siler was married to Jane Owen Glen Park.  Roy Park of the Hephzibah community is a descendant of this line of Parks.  He and his wife have many interesting letters and documents of interest concerning the Siler and Park families.  Some of these have been placed in the Archives of History for safekeeping.

These articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical, and Preservation Society.