Boyer, Lieut. D. A.

BOYER, HENDERSON, HARRIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 8/4/2020 at 10:57:02

Lieut. D. A. Boyer, farmer and stock-raiser, section 9, Dutch Creek Township, was born in Berks County, Pa., Aug. 9, 1842. He is a son of Solomon and Catherine K. Boyer, who were also natives of Pennsylvania.

They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters: Joseph A. resides in Chicago and is foreman of the Swift Brothers packing-house; Sarah E., deceased, was the wife of William Edward, and was buried in the cemetery at Muncie, Pa.; Jacob F. is a farmer and stonemason, and now resides in Red Willow County, Neb.; Hannah, deceased, was the wife of John Wertz, and was buried in the old Washington Cemetery; D. A. is the subject of this sketch; Mary A., the wife of T. F. McCarty, of Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa; Andrew S., a farmer in Red Willow county, Neb.; Allen F., deceased, buried at Honeywell, Kan.; Susan, the wife of John B. Adams, of Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa; Rebecca, deceased, was the wife of Wood Shawhan, and is buried at Sigourney; Stephen c., a farmer in Red Willow County, Neb.

In May, 1858, the family left their native State and came by rail to Keokuk County, where they remained until the fall of that year, and then came to Washington County and purchased eighty acres of land in Washington Township which they improved, and in 1865, sold and went back to Keokuk County, bought 240 acres and resided there until 1870, sold again and went to Nebraska, locating in Fairmount County, where Mr. Boyer purchased 160 acres, and in 1875, sold that, going to Red Willow County, where he purchased 160 acres, and there remained until his death, in March, 1885, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife survives him making her home with her children. She is a member of the Christian Church, of which body Mr. Boyer was also a member.

The early life of D. A. Boyer, the subject of this sketch, was spent on the farm and in attending the public schools of the neighborhoods in which they resided. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and participated in the various engagements of his regiment until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold, where he was slightly wounded. The regiment was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea and participated in the last battle of the war, at Bentonville, N. C., after which it went to Washington City and took part in the grand review, and was mustered out on June 16, 1865. Mr. Boyer enlisted as a private, was appointed Fifth Sergeant, and afterward commissioned Second Lieutenant of his company. Two of his brothers were also soldiers in the late war. Joseph A. was Second Lieutenant of Co. C, 8th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was wounded at Memphis, Tenn.; Jacob F. was private in the same company, and was wounded at Jackson, Miss.

On receiving his discharge, the subject of this sketch returned home and bought ninety-six acres of unimproved land, but for the three following years was engaged in contracting and grading for the C., R. I. & P. R. R. On the 20th of October, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss E. J. Harris, a native of Iowa, born Oct. 23, 1848, and daughter of R. J. and Minerva J. (Henderson) Harris, who were natives of Ohio. Seven children have been born unto them: Walter S., born July 30, 1870; Howard C., Jan. 20, 1872; Emma R., Jan. 2, 1874; Frank P., born, Dec. 28, 1876, died June 30, 1883, and was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery; Harry L., born Feb. 23, 1878; Mary F., Jan. 14, 1881; William G., May 2, 1885. In 1870 Lieut. Boyer purchased eighty acres on section 9, Dutch Creek township, to which he removed, and to which he has added from time to time until he now owns 339 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In 1876 he built his recent residence, which is a two-story frame, 26x28 feet. In 1883 he built his present elegant barn, 40x66 feet, with 9-foot basement and 20-foot posts above. In addition to general farming, Mr. Boyer is extensively engaged in breeding and raising fine stock, having some of the finest horses and cattle in Washington County, and account of which will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Like many others of best citizens of Washington County, Lieut. Boyer commenced life in limited circumstances, but by industry and perseverance he has toiled on until he now ranks as one of the most substantial farmers in the county. As a citizen, he enjoys the respect and confidence of all, a man always in the advance in every enterprise calculated for the public good. He is Vice President of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. No man in Dutch Creek Township has more and stronger friends than Lieut. D. A. Boyer.

A fine view of his residence will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Lieut. D. A. Boyer, pages 557-559.