Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Joseph Boyer

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Descendants of Joseph Boyer

Generation No. 2

2. JAMES MORGAN² BOYER (JOSEPH¹)⁶ was born May 03, 1821 in Virginia ⁷, and died March 31, 1912 in Illinois. He married SUSAN ANN MACK January 08, 1846 in Clark County, Illinois, daughter of WILLIAM MACK and MARY. She was born January 01, 1822 in Kentucky⁷, and died March 20, 1905 in Illinois.

Notes for JAMES MORGAN BOYER:
Excerpts from an article about Joseph W Boyer (son) in the Historical and
Biographical Record of Douglas County Illinois; compiled by John Gresham,
USA, June, 1900:

"He is the son of James and Susan (Mack) Boyer, the former a native of
Virginia, and the latter was born in Kentucky. As early as 1835 James
Boyer came and settled with his father, Joseph, who was also born in
Virginia, and who settled in the neighborhood of Ashmore. Here Joseph
Boyer became one of the first settlers and afterward went to Missouri,
where he died. William Mack (maternal grandfather) was also one of the
early settlers in the same vicinity. James Boyer (father) is at present
residing in the state of Kansas, at the age of seventy-nine years, and
his wife is still living in the same year, of her age.

The 1900 Ottawa County, Kansas census indicates that James M Boyer and
Susan could both read, write, and speak english. The home is owned and
occupation is farmer.

The Douglas County, Illinois Genealogical Society (Mary Nater) informs me
that James M Boyer and Susan A (wife) are buried in the Villa Grove
Cemetery, in the eastern part of the county near where Newman is
located. As is Joseph W Boyer and wife (Josephine) and daughter
(Margaret).

From the History of Ottawa County, Kansas 1864-1984; by the Centennial Committee:
p.205; The George Harris family came to Kansas in 1855 and homesteaded south of Junction City, Kansas. In 1866 a caravan of fifteen covered wagons left Ilinois to join the Harris family in this promising land. Some became discouraged and turned back, some went other places, but seven families came on to homestead on what later became Niles. In this group were the families of Thomas and Nancy Harris Ingram, Thomas and Elizabeth Casebeer, George and Jane Romick, Hackers, Hamptons, Boyers, Neals, and Straights.
The men went to work to provide homes. The first ones were dugouts. Romicks lived near the river and were flooded out and had to move to higher ground. Washing was done by hand on a wash board. The water was heated in boilers on stoves. They first used breaking plows to break the sod and with an ax chopped a hole in the ground and dropped in three grains of corn, stepping on it to cover it up. They planted hedge trees for fences. There was a bountiful supply of wild grapes, mulberries, pawpaws, ground cherries, gooseberries, and wild plums for jelly. Apple butter was made in large kettles. John Jones was killed and there was no place to bury him. He was buried on the Casebeer homestead, which part later became Niles cemetery. The first ministers were really missionaries and the people took turns entertaining them in their homes. They met in dugouts, homes, school, until church was built. Many Indians came through wanting food. Many a time, women and children drove in wagons to Junction City, if they knew ahead that the Indians were in the vicinity. Mothers would hide their children under the beds while the Indians helped themselves to the corn. The stage coach ran from Solomon to Minneapolis and back the next day. It carried the mail and eight passengers. Sometimes they changed their route to escape the Indians. The early settlers were very devoted to each other and often went miles on horseback to help in sickness and death. It was not all hardships. They made their own entertainment and had very enjoyable times.

Notes for SUSAN ANN MACK:
The 1900 Ottawa County, Kansas census shows Susan's parents as being born in Virginia (father) and Pennsylvania (mother). This helps establish the
family in the 1850 Clark County, Illinois census as that of William and
Mary Mack.

Children of JAMES BOYER and SUSAN MACK are:

	i.		ELIZA MILDRED³ BOYER, b. June 06, 1858.
	ii.		KATE (LID) BOYER.
	iii.		MARY ELIZABETH BOYER, b. February 24, 1848⁷.
	iv.		MARGARET JANE BOYER, b. March 22, 1849, Illinois⁷.
	v.		JOSEPH WASHINGTON BOYER, b. April 11, 1850, Ashmore, Illinois⁷; d. June 19, 1942, Newman, Illinois; m. JOSEPHINE V HOPKINS, March 09, 1875; b. October 27, 1855; d. March 18, 1905, Newman, Illinois.

Notes for JOSEPH WASHINGTON BOYER:
Excerpts from the local "Nostalgic Newman News",1880-1980, Illinois
Newspaper, by Virginia Biddle Thode:

Joseph W Boyer, well known farmer of Sargent township, passed away at his
home, southwest of the city, on last Friday morning. The deceased had
been enjoying his usual good health, until on Thursday of last week, when
he suffering a stroke of paralysis. From that time on his condition was
very critical, and he passed away early on Friday morning.
Mr Boyer had celebrated his 92nd birthday anniversary on April 11, of
this year, and his host of friends in eastern Douglas County had hoped
that he would be privileged to live to celebrate his 100th anniversary.
The following obituary was read at the service:
"Joseph W Boyer was born at Ashmore, Illinois, on April 11th, 1850. He
departed this life on June 19, 1942, at his home southwest of Newman,
Illinois; aged 92 years, 2 months, and 8 days.
He was a son of James M Boyer and Susan Mack being the third child in a
family of fifteen children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and eleven brothers and sisters.
Those remaining are: Mrs Millie Hopkins, of Elreno, Okla; Mr George
Boyer, of Niles, Kans; Mr James M Boyer, of Harrison, Mo; and Mrs Belle
Ayers, of Kewana Indiana.
The deceased spent his boyhood near Ashmore, later moving with his
parents to Missouri. Because of the Civil War, the family returned to
Illinois, locating near where the village of Fairlands is now located.
As a young man he herded cattle on the open range, where Murdock is now
located.
He attended college at Westfield, Illinois, working his way through
school. He located at his late home in 1876, and has lived there until
his demise.
He united with the Methodist Church, at Wesley Chapel, and was ever a
faithful worker and supporter of the church."

vi.

SAM GROSSHART BOYER, b. June 10, 1852, Illinois.

Notes for SAM GROSSHART BOYER:
Sam was brought back from Kansas to be buried in Newman. Funeral was in the front room of Joseph Washington's home and a mens' quartet sang...James M was one of them. Started laughing and had to quit their song!

vii.

GEORGE ALLEN BOYER, b. October 25, 1855, Douglas County, Illinois (Kwenman, Ill)⁸; d. June 07, 1944, Niles, Kansas⁸; m. FLORENCE LILLIAN BELLIS, December 23, 1884, Niles, Kansas; b. March 02, 1867, Verdi, Kansas⁸; d. June 20, 1948, Niles, Kansas⁸.

Notes for GEORGE ALLEN BOYER:
George moved to Kansas at the age of 17 with his parents to Niles. He
was short (4'8"). He died with a full head of hair, full set of teeth,
and a handlebar moustache. He reportedly died twice. Was thought to be
dead (no detectable breath or heartbeat); when he regained
consciousness. He suffered some brain damage; but lived about one more
year. This from letters from Virgie (Russell) Brown relating letters
from Hazel Boyer (daughter). Also from recollections by my father, Dean
Boyer (grandson).

Notes for FLORENCE LILLIAN BELLIS:
Florence was wheelchair bound from a fall and a damaged hip.

From a letter by Mrs. Virgie (Russell) Brown, of Longford Kansas as
published in the Minneapolis Messenger of Ottawa County, Kansas, date
unknown.

"Since Midway USA celebrated its 100th birthday the past year, everyone
has been indulging in reminiscenses. I am enclosing some facts received
in letters from my Aunt Hazel (Boyer) of St Clair, born at Verdi, Kansas,
now living at Vancouver, Washington.

Her mother (my grandmother) Lilly (Bellis) Boyer was born in a dugout at
Verdi, in 1867. The farm was homesteaded by her parents, Charles H
Bellis and Jane Bellis. When she was six weeks old, there was a flood
(Solomon River) and the dugout filled with water. In the middle of the
night, she was carried by her mother, who waded waist deep in water out
to dry land.

Her brother-in-law was the late Charles H Shultice, who homesteaded at
Verdi, where he built the Solomon Valley's first frame house.

She (Florence Lilly Bellis) married George Allen Boyer December 23, 1884,
of Niles. With the help of relatives and neighbors, George built a log
house on the Bellis homestead, where some of their nine children were
born. The log house was rather a large one. It had two big rooms
downstairs and one big room upstairs, partitioned with curtains to make
several bedrooms for the children.

My mother (Chloe) married James Eugene Carr, whose parents were Eugene
and Martha Carr. They were also pioneers of Verdi and the Solomon Valley.

Grandma Boyer lived on the farm where she was born most of her life.
When the farm was sold, Grandma and Grandpa Boyer retired and moved to
Niles, Kansas where they lived the remainder of their lives.

In the letter I received from Aunt Hazel before Christmas, she
wrote---I've just been thinking of all these marvelous toys they are
advertising; talking and walking dolls, etc. It makes me think of the
time I got a walking doll. When I was six years old we still lived in
the log house. In answering an ad in the paper, I got 24 bottles of
Court paster, to be sold. It was something like this NEW stuff they are
advertising to spray on cuts and scratches. I sold about half of them,
and Dad bought the rest. Mom sent in the money, which was $2.40, a lot
of money then. When the doll came, it was a doll fastened on a round
platform. You wound it up and rolled along the floor. I was
disappointed in it, because I couldn't cuddle it, as it was just a
mechanical thing. I remember all of the kids around verdi came to see my
walking doll. I think they were disappointed too, as it didn't have
legs that made steps; but just rolled along on the floor."

Additional excerpts from correspondence presumably from Hazel to Mrs
Brown:

"Moved to Grandma Bellis' house and Grandma being in ill health, they
continued to live there so Mom could take care of her. She passed away
that winter and they continued to live there until George Allen Boyer was
born October 25, 1855, in Kwenman, Illinois. Came to Kansas at the age
of 17 (1872) with his parents, James A (M?) Boyer and wife Susan. Where
they settled in Niles, Kansas. He lived there until his marriage to
Lillie Florence Bellis in 1884, place was sold in 1908 when they moved to
Niles, Kansas where they lived about three years, engaged in the business
of running a butcher shop and later a livery barn in business with a
son-in-law James E Carr married to Chloe Boyer. This livery barn was
traded for a homestead in Towner, Colorado where the family moved, and
lived from August until December, having found out there was no way to
make a living. They came back to Verdi, Kansas where Dad (George Allen
Boyer) rented the farm they had lived on before. Where they lived until
the place was sold again. They moved then to a farm about 1/2 mile east
of Verdi and lived there until they retired from farming and moved to
Niles where they lived until death.

You ask about Dad's (George Allen Boyer). I don't know much about them,
Grandma and Grandpa lived in that little house where Dad kept his cows.
Grandma was a big fat lady, short, she always wore a black shiny apron or
a white one with crochet lace on the bottom. Those tie around aprons
like Mom and Grandma Carr wore, only theirs were usually checkered
gingham. Their kids were all gone from home when I was big enough to
remember. I remember going there once in awhile, there was always a big
crowd there. I don't ever remember Grandma walking around much. I guess
she did, tho, as they lived alone. Dad had 4 brothers and 4 sisters,
Sam, Joe, Ben, James, Millie, Maggie, Belle, Kate (Lid they called her) I
don't know what her name was. I saw all of them but her, but didn't them
real well, except Uncle James, and Aunt Belle, Aunt Maggie, and Aunt
Millie and didn't know her very well except when she came to Aunt
Maggie's. Uncle Sam was married twice first wife died and second was
Bayrd Bells Mother. I remember they didn't stay married very long,
remember him saying she was too bossy. Uncle Joe and Aunt Lid stayed in
Illinois. I saw Uncle Joe once, I remember. Guess I saw most of his
children at one time or another. When they came to Kansas to visit.
Uncle Ben lived in Bennington they 3 boys, moved to Montana when I was
about 6 years old. Their youngest boy was about my age and I didn't like
him, he was always teasing me. We visited together often. He was the
only cousin I didn't like. Aunt Belle lived on that farm just north of
Kirby's and we visited there often. They went to Indiana (Kewana) when I was
about 7. Grandma and Grandpa went back with them. I never saw Grandma
again, after she died Grandpa came back and stayed with Aunt Maggie
awhile, later he went back to Indiana."

	viii.		BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOYER, b. November 22, 1856, Missouri.
	ix.		JAMES MICHAEL BOYER, b. May 25, 1861, Illinois.
	x.		MARIAH BELLE BOYER, b. January 15, 1863, Illinois.

Notes for MARIAH BELLE BOYER:
Moved to Kewanee, Indiana.

	xi.		WILLIAM A BOYER, b. May 01, 1851.
	xii.		JOHN K BOYER, b. December 15, 1853, Ashmore, Illinois; d. April 01, 1855, Ashmore, Illinois.

Notes for JOHN K BOYER:
Died of mumps/whooping cough.

xiii.

RICHARD ROBERT BOYER, b. December 25, 1865; d. March 31, 1871.

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