Boren, James B. (1817-1902)

BOREN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 01:24:12

James B. Boren
Apr 6, 1817 - Apr 6, 1902

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.508)
J. B. BOREN, a farmer of Hazel Dell Township, was born in Union County, Illinois, April 6, 1817, a son of Israel and Susannah Boren, natives of Tennessee. They came to Illinois in an early day, where the mother died in Nauvoo in 1842, and the father died in Madison County, Tennessee in 1825. He was a farmer by occupation and was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Our subject was reared in his native state until his seventh year, when he went to Tennessee with his parents and remained until he was 12 years of age. He then returned with his mother and stepfather to Illinois where he was reared to farm life. He remained at home until he was in his twenty-third year when he started out for himself. He remained in that state until May 3, 1846, when he came to Davis County, Iowa, and spent one winter, and in 1847 came to Pottawattamie County, which was at that time inhabited by Indians, wolves, deer, etc. He first located on his present farm, section 18 of what is now Hazel Dell Township, where he has since made his home. He erected at that time a small log cabin about 200 yards south of where his present residence now stands, and in which he made his home for a number of years. This was erected on the primitive plan, with puncheon floor, clapboard roof and door, and an old stick chimney. Here they started to make a home in the new country, and here they faced all the hardships incident to pioneer life, but faced them bravely.

Their next residence was a hewed log house on the more modern plan, with brick chimney and plank floor, and in this he made his home for a number of years, or until 1870 when he erected his present comfortable home, 26 X 38 feet, and one and a half stories high. He has accumulated in real estate until he now owns 320 acres in one body, sections 18 and 19, Hazel Dell township; eighty acres in section 23, Crescent Township; 100 acres in section 22, and also eight residence lots in Crescent city. He has made all of the many improvements on his land and has done much toward building up this part of the county.

He was formerly an old time Whig, but is now a Democrat. He has held the offices of trustee, Justice of the Peace, a member of the School Board, etc. He has always devoted himself to farming and stock-raising and was also one of the first to engage in the bee business in this county.

Mr. Boren was married in Illinois, September 25, 1840 to Nancy McIntosh, who was born December 2, 1810 and who died in Pottawattamie County, April 12, 1868. They were the parents of five children: Israel, a resident of Crescent township; Jane, deceased; Permelia, wife of Philip Ballard, a resident of Idaho; Cornelius, a resident of Hazel Dell Township; Laura, wife of James McMullen, a resident of Crescent Township. Mr. Boren was again married October 1, 1868 to Mrs. Agnes Brownell, daughter of Matthew and Jennett Hutchinson, natives of Ayrshire and Glasgow, Scotland. They were married in that country and came to America about the year 1841, locating in Providence, Rhode Island, where they both died. Agnes was born May 8, 1837, was reared in Providence, and on account of the death of her parents, was thrown upon her own resources at the age of 12 years. She had two children by her first marriage: Eugene, a resident of Crescent city, and Mabel, deceased, the wife of John McMiller, also deceased. They left three children: Annie, Gracie and Edward; the two former make their home with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Boren.