J. J. BOLLER

BOLLER

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 19:52:08

J. J. BOLLER, a prominent farmer of Washington township, residing on section 85 (postoffice Mt. Etna), was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 7, 1851, son of Joseph and Catharine (Schmucker) Boller, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Lorraine, Germany (formerly a province of France). His father, who has been a farmer all his life, came to Iowa in 1853, settling in Johnson county, where he and his good wife still reside, each aged sixty-six years, with powers both physical and mental well preserved. The father has been particularly active in educational matters, giving his children a good schooling. He has held many of the minor offices of his community, although no office-seeker. He and his wife are both prominent members of the Mennonite Church.

Mr. Boller, the eldest in the above family of children, began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, working on a farm. He attended high school in Iowa City for a part of two years, then the Washington training and normal schools for one term, then taught seven terms, his teaching being of a high order and giving excellent satisfaction. In 1878 he embarked in farming, in Johnson county. He arrived in Adams county March 1, 1884, and began opening his farm where he now resides. He owns 120 acres, all highly improved. His house is nicely located on a pleasant elevation, where is the nucleus of a good orchard of one and a half acres, and small fruits of all kinds grown in this locality. His surroundings indicate thrift, comfort and a happy home. He lives two and a half miles from Mt. Etna and seven miles from Corning, the county seat.

He was married, in 1878, to Miss Maggie B., a daughter of J. G. and Eliza (Saylor) Myers, of Kalona, Washington county, this State. Mrs. Boiler was born in that county. Her father was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and was favorably know as a breeder of fine stock,—hogs and cattle. Twelve of his sixteen children grew up to years of maturity. Both the parents are still living in Washington county, this State, highly respected and widely known. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Boller are ten in number, as follows: an infant, deceased; Mabel, Norman, Lulu M., Edwin, Lora V., Lillian P. and Julius E. (twins), John G. M. and Mary.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Boiler are members of the First Baptist Church of Washington township, this county; and Mr. Boiler belongs also to the Farmers’ Alliance, and is a highly respected citizen, such as gives character to a community.