Silbaugh was born in
Viroqua, Wisconsin on September 10, 1930. He married Janet Nysather. The couple had three children. Silbaugh graduated from Stoughton High School and began a career as a flooring mechanic, opening U&S Floor Coverings with Everett Urish in 1965. Silbaugh was first elected to the Assembly in 1990. In addition, he was a
Stoughton, Wisconsin, alderman from 1978 to 1991. He was a
Republican. He lost the 1996 Assembly election to Democrat
Tom Hebl. Silbaugh died on July 1, 2025, at age 94. ==References==