Marshall S. Boyce (1848-1926)

BOYCE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 10:08:51

Marshall S. Boyce
(November 13, 1848 – January 4, 1926)

Marshall S. Boyce, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Manson, was born in Kane County, Illinois, in 1848, his father, Elias S. Boyce, being one of the early settlers of that locality. He was born in Springfield, New Hampshire, November 26, 1818, and his parents were Adam and Mary (Loverin) Boyce, of Wendall, New Hampshire. The great grandfather of our subject was a farmer by occupation and served his country in the war of 1812. His wife was a native of Corydon, New Hampshire, where her birth occurred February i, 1792. In the old Granite state Elias S. Boyce was reared and educated and then thinking to better his financial conditions in the west, he made his way to Illinois, locating in Kane County in 1855. He was three times married, his first union being with Chloe Bacon, who died November 1, 1876. They became the parents of five children, namely: Ellen, now deceased; Marshall S.; Sylvanus E.; Milo G., who died March 19, 1887, and Willis L. After the death of his first wife Mr. Boyce was married, in 1876, to Janette Dodge, and
in 1887 Harriett Westover became his wife. For many years Elias S. Boyce resided in Kane County and was a well-known and honored pioneer settler of that locality. He passed away in Kaneville, in December, 1899 and many friends mourned his loss. In the common schools of his native county Marshall S. Boyce acquired his education and through the summer months he worked upon his father's farm. At the age of eighteen he put aside his text books and through five succeeding years devoted his energies entirely to the farm work on the old homestead. He was then married on the 27th of February, 1872, to Miss Ellen Chapman, who was born in Big Rock Township, Kane County, Illinois, March 3, 1855. Her father, James Chapman, was a native of Ohio and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Seavey, was a native of New York. They were married in Illinois and there the father followed the stone mason's trade. He also became the owner of some land, making judicious investments of the money he acquired. Both he and his wife and their daughter Helen are now deceased. They came to Iowa in 1884, making their home with Mr. Boyce until the death of Mr. Chapman (in the 18th of January, 1887. His widow then returned to Kane County, Illinois, and died at the home of her daughter in Big Rock, on the nth of December, 1899. One sister of Mrs. Boyce is still living, Rettie, the wife of Sylvanus Boyce of Big Rock. Our subject and his wife began their domestic life in Kane County, Illinois, upon a farm which he owned and which remained their place of residence for seven years. At the end of that time, in 1879, they removed to southwestern Kansas, and Mr. Boyce there purchased a farm upon which he lived for three years, returning thence to Illinois, where he remained through the summer. He then located in Webster County, Iowa, where he purchased ninety-seven acres of rich land, continuing its cultivation until 1895, when he removed to Manson, after spending the summer in Texas and Arkansas. Here he purchased a comfortable residence, on which he is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He owns two hundred and twenty-eight acres of land in Webster County, Iowa, which is rented and the income therefrom supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyce but they lost both. Helen Una died June 7, 1874, at the age of two and one-half years, and Rettie Ella died June 18, 1877, at the age of fifteen months. In his political views Mr. Boyce is a Democrat, and while he manifests his preference for the party by his ballot and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, he has never sought or desired an office. In his home he has a number of interesting heirlooms and valuable old books, including a Bible, which was printed in 1836. a Book of Sermons, printed in 1778, and a book about Queen Elizabeth, which was printed in 1794 and is now yellow with age. Through his close application to business and his unremitting diligence, Mr. Boyce has gained a comfortable competence and is now resting after years of active and honorable toil. He has a pleasant home in Manson, where he and his wife now reside, surrounded by many friends who esteem them highly for their genuine worth. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.393]