Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 448
R. BOYLE, one of the settlers of Muscatine County, residing on section 17, Goshen Township, was born in Chester County, Pa., on the 29th day of February, 1820. He was the fifth in a family of six children born to Samuel and Mary Ann ( Wickersham ) Boyle. On the paternal side of the family is Irish descent, while the history of the Wickershams can be traced back to the time when its ancestors came to this country in company with William Penn. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation in his earlier years, but in later life engaged in farming in Pennsylvania, where his death occurred in 1822. His wife, who was a most estimable lady, was called to her final home nine years later.

In the subscription schools of Pennsylvania our subject was educated. In his young days he learned the cabinet-makers trade, which he followed for several years, but during much of his life has pursued the occupation af farming. In 1843 he moved to Ohio, working at his trade in several counties of that State, and in the spring of 1856 came to Muscatine County, Iowa, where he followed the trade of carpenter and builder for a few years. In 1872 he purchased an improved farm of 160 acres, which he now has under a high state of cultivation, and in connection with the improvement of his land engages in stock-raising, his cattle being of the short-horn breed, and his horses also of a good grade.

In 1855, while in Henry County, Iowa, Mr. Boyle led to the marriage altar Miss Phoebe H. Parry, who was born on the historic battle-field of Brandywine, Del., and is a daughter of David and Lydia K. ( Hollingsworth ) Parry, who were also natives of Delaware. The father was a farmer and emigrated to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Goshen Township, where he is yet living. His wife was called to her final rest many years ago. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Boyle nine children have been born, eight of whom are yet living : Fremont, a resident of Greeley County, Kan., is the present County Recorder ; Priscilla, who married Conrad Altehaus, and resides in Muscatine ; Emma ; David, residing in Muscatine ; Milton, Etta, Florence, Harry, and Rachel, who died when nine months old.

In his political sentiments Mr. Boyle is a Democrat. He took a prominent part in the organization of Goshen Township, and has always assisted in every enterprise for the good of the community. He has witnessed almost the entire development of the county, to which he came when the settlements were so few that deer, turkeys and other wild game abounded, having not yet been driven from their native haunts by the white man. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, and is one of the prominent citizens of Goshen Township.

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