His father died in 1835, and in 1841, Hare rejoined his mother and other family members in Hamilton County, Indiana, near Noblesville, where he attended common and private schools.

In 1862, he was appointed as Chief Justice of New Mexico territory under the Confederacy, but resigned that year to accept a position as captain in the Confederate Army.

[6] In 1890, Hare resumed the practice of law in Washington, D.C.[3] In 1849, he married Octavia Elizabeth Rector of Circleville, Ohio.

The couple had seven children: West Point cadet Luther Rector;[2][7] Silas Jr who followed his father in public service;[8] in addition to Winnie, Henry, George, Eula, and one child who died in infancy.

Octavia died June 5, 1890.> In 1903, the 76-year-old Hare married for a second time to 66-year-old Mary Louise Kennedy in a secret ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland, taking his friends by surprise.