Bolyard, David

BOLYARD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 13:51:49

DAVID BOLYARD
born Feb 28, 1833, W.VA.

David Bolyard, - Living retired in a beautiful home in the town of New Virginia, Iowa, and surrounded with all the comforts that go to make life pleasant in this naturally favored spot, is found the subject of this review, David Bolyard. For three decades he has made his home, in Iowa, and by virtue of his long residence here and his high standing in the community it is fitting that his name be given a place in a work of this character.
It was on a farm near the town of Fellowsville, Preston county, West Virginia, February 28, 1833, that David Bolyard was ushered into this world, he being the sixth born in the family of eleven children of Henry and Sarah (Shahan) Bolyard. Of this large family - seven sons and four daughters - eight are still living, viz: Nicholas, Henry, David, Isaac, William Harrison, Elizabeth, Alpheus, and Amanda Jane. Elizabeth is the wife of Mr. Ed. Knott and Amanda Jane is Mrs. Jacob Funk. Henry Bolyard, the father, and his father also were natives of Virginia, the latter's parents having crossed the Atlantic and made settlement in the Old Dominion at an early period in the history of this country. Glancing back over the record of the Bolyard family, we find their chief characteristics to be patriotism, honesty and industry. The senior Henry Bolyard was a strong abolitionist and true Union man, and during the dark days of the Rebellion he rendered valiant service in helping to preserve the old flag. More than this, he saw with pride his sons march forth to battle in that sanguinary struggle. His son Henry was with Sherman on that memorable march to the sea. Isaac was in the service throughout the entire war. William H. also was in the Union ranks, and David was a member of the Home Militia, a company of sharpshooters, and was several times called out. On one occasion he served as guide from Cheat river bridge over the mountain to Roseberg; while the son-in-law, Mr. Knott, also made a record as a true, loyal soldier . Indeed, there were few families more ably represented in the Union army than the one of which we write. Until the organization of the Republican party the the father was a stanch Whig, after which he espoused Republican doctrines. After a long long and useful life, he quietly passed away, in his eighty-fourth year, and his mortal remains were interred in the old Mountain Meeting House cemetery. His devoted Christian wife, the companion of his joys and sorrows for many years, died at the extreme old age of eighty-nine years, her death occurring within a mile of the birthplace of our subject. She was for many years a member of the Methodist Church. Born on a farm, David early became familiar with every detail of farm work, and this occupation he has followed through life. In 1865 he came to Iowa and located in Warren county. Here he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until 1891, when he retired from the farm, came to New Virginia and built his present delightful home just south of the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his family have long been identified with this church, he having served as Class-leader, Trustee and Sabbath-school Superintendent. A Union man in times of civil strife and a supporter of the martyred Lincoln, he has since maintained his allegiance with the party which saved the Union - the Republican. Mr. Bolyard was married December 9, 1858, to Miss Sirena Goff, daughter of George and Nancy (Bonnifield) Goff, natives of Virginia. She was the fourth born in their family of seven children, her birthplace being in Barbour county, and when a child she accompanied her parents to Preston county. When she was only eight years old death deprived her of a mother's loving care; her father lived to be seventy, dying in Virginia. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolyard, namely: Sarah Frances, who is the wife of Clarence Warren, a young farmer of Squaw township, this county; David L., at home; Mary Salome, wife of Thomas Keyser, a farmer of Virginia township, this county; and Clarissa Catherine, wife of David Keyser, a brother of Thomas, both sterling young men who are respected by all who know them.
Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.431