For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 699
ROBERT BOYCE....The cause of Christianity has an earnest and able advocate in Robert Boyce, of Cedar township. In addition to officiating as a minister of the Christian church he has charge of a well improved farm which he has acquired through his capable management. He was born in Lebanon, Illinois, December 3, 1871, and is a son of George and Nancy L. ( Justice ) Boyce, the former a native of England and the latter of Tennessee. George Boyce came to America with his parents when six years of age and was reared in this country, being married at Lebanon, Illinois, where he and his wife have since lived with the exception of two short periods. They have arrived at the age of sixty-six years, and of their children, six are now living, namely : William N. and George W., of Illinois ; Robert, our subject ; Addie, the wife of George Owens, of Illinois ; Sarah, now Mrs. Elmer Conklin, of Illinois ; and Nora, the wife of William Stebbins, also of Illinois.Robert Boyce received his preliminary education in the public schools and remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he became identified with the ministry of the Christian church, with which he has ever since been actively connected. He pursued his education in the high school and also at Palmer College of Le Grand, Iowa, the first three years of his work being evangelical in character and the last three years being in the regular college course. As a minister he has officiated at various points, but in 1902 he located upon a farm in Cedar township, which he has increased by purchase until he now owns one hundred and ten acres under a high degree of cultivation. In addition to managing his farm very successfully he attends to his ministerial duties and is therefore one of the busiest men in this region.
On the 31st of January, Mr. Boyce was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Peppel. who was born near Lone Tree, Johnson county, Iowa, May 29, 1875, and is a daughter of George J. and Frances ( Hawthorne ) Peppel, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The mother came to Iowa about 1840 and the father in 1852. He engaged in farming in this county until his retiremant in 1909 and since that time he and his wife have made their home with the subject of this review. Four children constituted their family : Nettie Hamilton, now of Shanandoah, Iowa ; Emma B., now Mrs. Boyce ; James, who died at the age of twenty-eight years ; and Florence, who died at the age of two months. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Boyce has also been blessed by the arrival of four children, namely : Ethel E., born November 22, 1894, who departed this life January, 13, 1895 ; Ruth Marie, born December 31, 1898 ; Paul L., born March 20, 1901 ; and George Victor, born April 9, 1903.
Politically Mr. Boyce votes for the man rather than the party. He has not sought public office but served with general acceptance as assessor of Cedar township for one term. Fraternally he is identified with Abner Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Lone Tree. He was born with the unusual capacity for application and ever since arriving at the age of discernment has been remarkably energetic mentally and physically. He acquired a good education, thus preparing himself for the responsibilities of the ministry, and he also gained a practical knowledge of farming, by which he has been able to maintain his family in good circumstances and to add steadily to his financial resources. " Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings." Such a man is the gentleman whose life record is here briefly presented. An honor to his family, Mr. Boyce is to be congratulated on the example he has set as a fair, upright, capable, energetic and progressive citizen.
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