James B. Boyer, p. 902

JAMES B. BOYER was born February 25, 1822, in Butler county, Penn., and died July 9, 1889, in Monongahela City, respected by all.

His ancestors in this country were natives of New Jersey, in which State James Boyer (his grandfather) 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, brother of Rigdon, the Mormon preacher), none of whom are now living.

Samuel Boyer, son of James and Nancy Boyer, was born in 1791, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood, then taught several terms in Beaver county, Penn. On February 8, 1821, he was united in marriage with Mary Boyer, who was born April 10, 1800, died November 16, 1853, a 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 what is now the Higbee farm, adjoining the old homestead, where they died, the father July 18, 1878, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, leaving children as follows: James B.; Peter, living near Library, Allegheny county; John W., a retired farmer of Union township; 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.

James B. Boyer was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and received his education at the subscription schools of his native township. On August 24, 1853, he married Mary, daughter of Henry Pomerene, of Allegheny county, Penn., and to this union were born two children: Mary E., married to Samuel Cook, and Melinda. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boyer took up their residences on a farm in Peters township, whereon they remained several years; then removed to Allegheny county, where they made their home until 1873, in which year they returned to Washington county, and in Monongahela City prepared to pass the remainder of their lives, where Mrs. Boyer is yet living. Mr. Boyer was a typical self-made man, one who by industry, prudence and judicious economy made a success, and when he died he was one of the largest property owners in the city. He was enterprising, and at all times strove to advance the interests of his locality. An ardent Republican, he for several years was a member of the Monongahela City Council. Consistent in his church connection, he was a prominent adherent of the Baptist faith. His wife is also a member of the Baptist Church.

Text taken from page 902 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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