JOHN W. BOYER The well-known family in Washington county, of which this gentleman is a member, were represented among the earliest of early pioneers. The ancestors in this country were natives of New Jersey, in which State James Boyer passed his early youth, among the peaceful Society of Friends. When a young man he came to Pennsylvania, and, purchasing a farm in Peters township, Washington county, was there married to Nancy, daughter of Col. William Blackmore. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: John, Amy, Samuel, Peter, and Sarah (wife of Carvel Rigdon, a brother of Rigdon, the Mormon preacher), none of whom are yet living. Samuel Boyer, son of James and Nancy Boyer, was born in 1784, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood, then taught several terms in Beaver county, Penn. He was united in marriage with Mary Boyer, who was born in 1803, daughter of Leonard Boyer, of Bethel township, Allegheny Co., Penn. Samuel and Mary Boyer resided in Beaver county, Penn., for six years after their marriage, then returning to Washington county, lived on the old home place six years. They finally bought and moved upon the Higbee farm, adjoining the old homestead, where they died, leaving children as follows: James B., deceased; Peter, living near Library, Allegheny county; John W.; Elizabeth, deceased wife of David Higbee; Nancy, married to E. T. Townsend, of Peters township; Amy, deceased wife of D. Welch, of Limetown, and Lucinda, second wife of her brother-in-law, David Higbee.
John W. Boyer, whose name opens this sketch was born August 16, 1828, on the home place in Peters township, this county, where he was trained to agricultural pursuits. On December 10, 1857, he was united in marriage with Margaret J. Townsend, who was born in 1840, daughter of Joseph Townsend. The latter was a son of Daniel Townsend, who was born August 14, 1747, in Egg Harbor City, N. J., where he grew to manhood and engaged in the lumber business. In 1776 he entered the Revolutionary war, serving about two years, participating in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Monmouth. In 1779 he came to Washington county, Penn., bought 400 acres of land of Joshua Wright, and settled permanently upon that tract. He was married to Lydia Sawens, of Massachusetts, who bore him children as follows: Catherine (Mrs. John Baird, of Beaver county), Naomi (Mrs. Uriah Burton), Julia (wife of Peters Sharp), Margaret (wife of William Chisler, of Ohio), Rebecca (Mrs. John Hozer, of Mercer county, Penn.), Ruth (Mrs. Stephen Higbee, of Ohio), Lydia (wife of Arthur Devore), Elijah (a lieutenant in the war of 1812), and Joseph, all of whom were married, and are now deceased. The father was a Democrat in politics; he died September 1, 1833.
Joseph Townsend, son of Daniel and Lydia (Sawens) Townsend, was born March 1, 1796, on the old place in Washington Co., Penn. He lived at home until fifteen years of age, then entered the war of 1812 as a fifer, but was brought home by his father. A few years later the juvenile warrior had so far modified his views as to prefer rural life. He became an excellent farmer, and devoted much attention to sheep raising. In early life he was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Col. William Blackmore, and granddaughter of Samuel Blackmore. The latter owned 400 acres on the site of the present city of Washington. The property was leased for ninety-nine years, which expired in 1870, the heirs having never claimed it. William Blackmore, son of Samuel, came with his family from Washington, D. C, to Washington Co., Penn., and there reared six children, viz.: Thomas, Charles, Nancy (Mrs. Townsend), Eliza, Ellen, and Arabella, all now deceased but Nancy. To Joseph and Nancy Townsend were born three children, namely: Charles W., Daniel B., and William (deceased in youth). The mother died September 5, 1833, and in 1834 Joseph Townsend was married to Nancy, daughter of Robert Flack. Her father was born in Ireland, and about 1800 emigrated to this country, settling on Chartiers creek, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. To Joseph and Nancy Townsend were born three children, viz.: Robert (deceased), Elijah T., and Margaret J. (Mrs. J. W. Boyer, of Finleyville). The father voted with the Democratic party, and in religion was a member of the Baptist Church. He died on his seventy-fifth birthday, March 1, 1871, being followed by his wife in August, 1874, in her seventy-fifth year.
John W. and Margaret J. Boyer first located on a small farm near Bower Hill, in Peters township, this county, where they lived five years, during which time he dealt extensively in stock. He afterward bought the 240 acres which he yet owns in Union township, and there he managed a profitable dairy for several years in connection with stock raising. In 1884 he settled in Finleyville, this county, where he is now living a comparatively retired life. He has erected several elegant dwellings, which have contributed largely to improve the appearance of the village. He also buys some wool each year, having formerly made large annual investments in that article. Politically he votes with the Republican party, and in religion is a member of the Baptist Church of Library, Allegheny Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are the parents of four children, namely: Joseph, born November 24, 1858, living on the farm; Samuel F., born July 8, 1861, in the hardware business at Finleyville; Charles L., born October 29, 1863, a farmer near Finleyville, and James, born May 4, 1871, in partnership with his brother Samuel in the hardware business.
Text taken from page 1333 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]