Sylvester Loyd Pardue was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on October 19, 1877. An accountant by training, Pardue was a lifelong resident of North Wilkesboro where he owned several businesses in town. He also served in a variety of local offices over the years, including as a town councilmember, town clerk, and as the town tax collector. He died in North Wilkesboro on October 27, 1944.