Contributed to the erection of St. Catherine’s Church and school in New Haven, KY.5

Sylvester Rapier.—At New Haven, Nelson county, the subject of this review is the executive head of the banking house of Sylvester Rapier & Company and he is recognized as one of the substantial citizens and representative business men of this section of his native state. He was born in Larue county, Kentucky, on the 25th of April, 1847, and there was reared to maturity, in the meanwhile duly availing himself of the advantages of the common schools. As a young man he secured a position in the general merchandise store of Sylvester Johnson, at New Haven, and he continued in the employ of Mr. Johnson until the latter's death, in 1889, when he effected the organization of the banking house of Sylvester Rapier & Company, which is duly incorporated under the laws of the state and which has long been recognized as one of the ably managed and thoroughly solid financial institutions of this section of the state. Mr. Rapier is a staunch Democrat in his political proclivities and he is a communicant of the Catholic church.
Mr. Rapier has been twice married, his first union having been with Miss Alice Ross of Louisville, who died in 1873. On the 3rd of November, 1875, he wedded Miss Mary A. Kister and of the children who are living the following brief record is given : Cecilia is the wife of Sam. J. Dant, of Louisville, Kentucky; Nicholas remains at the parental home; Alma is the wife of A. K. Bowling, of New Haven; Maria is the wife of Dr. J. I. Greenwell, likewise a resident of New Haven ; Alice is a member of the Order of the Convent of Loretto ; and Elizabeth, Sylvester. Mildred and Obrecht remain at the parental home.

Rapier’s Pit in Mammoth Cave National Park is named for him, after he fell into a “bottomless” pit and was severely injured while on a tour. He suffered lasting brain injuries from the event and eventually lost everything he had created and accomplished.5

FALLS OVER LEDGE: SYLVESTER RAPIER INJURED DOING MAMMOTH CAVE
Courier-Journal Jun 10, 1904;
Suffers Body Bruises and a Severe Scalp Wound-Taken To St. Joseph's Infirmary.
Sylvester Rapier, a well-known banker of New Haven, was seriously injured yesterday afternoon while with a party of Knights of Columbus who were "doIng" Mammoth Cave. He fell down an embankment about thirty feet high and suffered a number of bruises and a severe cut on the head. He was brought to Loulsville last ntgnt on a specla train, which arrived at 11:30 o'clock, and was taken at once to St. Joseph's Inflrmary, where his wounds were dressed. At an early hour this morning he was resting well, and It was thought by the attending physicians that there was little danger o! the injuries provIng fatal.
While the party was going through the cave, near Echo River, Mr.Rapier walked over the cliff,
or incline, and tell down Into the darkness. There was as consternation among the party In which he had been when they saw his body disappear over the side of the black hole, nor they did not know how far It was to the bottom. Lights were quickly secured and an examination made. Mr. Rapier was found on the ground unconscious, and in the semi-darkness. It looked as if he had fallen about fifty feet. Several of the party went down to where he was lying, by taking a circuitous route, and the injured man was carried ed back to the usual level of the cave. Drs. Abel, Mulvey and Caspar were In the party with Mr. Rapier, and at once made a hasty examination of his wounds. They found a long gash on his head and a number of bruises on the body. It was feared at first that the Injuries had been Internal, but the later symptoms showed .this not to be the case. The wound on the head was dressed as well as could be done under the circumstances and the Injured man was
carried to the outer air by his friends.

He resigned from the Bank of New Haven in 1912, following financial trouble from a series of bad business investments.

Lived at 1270 Willow Ave., Louisville, KY at the time of his death.