- CHARLES W. BOYINGTON, the pioneer blacksmith of Bradford
Township, and now one of
- the well-to-do farmers residing on section 18, was born in
Burlington, Vt., April 2, 1813. His parents Josiah and Perlie
(WARD) BOYINTON were married in Vermont. The latter was a native
of Chittenden County, that State, while the former was born in
Hollis, New Hampshire. Three children were born to them in the
Green Mountain State. Charles W. of this sketch; Samuel H., who
is now a resident of St. Albans, Vt.; and Eliza M., who married
Chester BLANCHARD, both now deceased. The father of this family
died in 1820, and his wife was called to her final rest in 1823.
They were people who stood high in the community where they resided,
and were members of the Baptist Church.
- The subject of this sketch was a mere lad when the death
of his parents occurred, and being forced
- to earn his own living at an early age, his educational advantages
were consequently limited. When eighteen years old he was apprenticed
to the trade of a blacksmith, and after completing his term of
service, he embarked in the business for himself at Ticonderoga,
Vt., where he remained for three years.
- On the 13th day of February, 1837, at Fort Ann, N.Y., he
was united in marriage with Eliza
- STEVENS, a daughter of Thomas and Armeto (CUTTER) STEVENS,
the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Washington
County, N.Y. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom
are yet living. Eliza, wife of our subject; Sarah, who wedded
A. S. BAKER, a resident of Elgin, Ill.; Laura wife of J. B. TRACY,
who is residing in Milton, Wis; Vaness, whose home is in Dodge
County, Minn.; Albertina, wife of F. A. WILLIAMS, of Walworth
County, Wis. Mr. STEVENS was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
participated in the famous battle of Plattsburg. In 1845 he came
to the West, locating in Rock County, Wis., but removed to Kansas,
where his death occurred at the ripe old age of eighty-four years.
Mrs. STEVENS died at Geneva Lake, Walworth Co., Wis., at the
age of ninety-two years. They had traveled life's journey together
for sixty-two years, when separated by death. They were members
of the Baptist Church, and sincere Christian people, who put
their whole trust in the promises of the Bible.
- In 1836 Mr. BOYINGTON became a resident of Fort Ann, Washington
Co., N.Y., where he
- followed his trade until 1845, when desiring to better his
condition, he emigrated to the West, taking passage on a canal
packet to Buffalo, and thence by steamer to Kenosha, Wis., where
he secured teams and continued his journey to Rock County, where
he located permanently. The county was then very sparsely settled,
bands of Indians roamed over the prairies, wild game of all kinds
abounded, and the difficulties and trials incident to life in
any new settlement were shared by our subject. He at once entered
a claim of eighty acres on section 18, Bradford Township, and,
as no better habitation could be procured, moved into a cellar
until a cabin could be built. Within the area of Bradford Township
there was no blacksmith shop until the arrival of Mr. BOYINGTON,
when he built a little shop and continued to work at his trade
for a few years, and then turned his attention to farming, engaging
in the cultivation of his eighty acres, to which he has since
added, until now 320 acres of the finest farming land in Rock
County pay tribute to the care and labor which he bestows upon
them. Everything about the place denotes thrift and enterprise,
and the improvements are all that are necessary to the model
farm.
- The union of Mr. and Mrs. BOYINGTON has been blessed with
three children. Perlie, wife of
- Dr. M. C. STURDEVANT, of Morris, Grundy Co., Ill.; Judson,
who died at the age of two years, and Thomas J., a prominent
farmer of Bradford Township. This worthy couple passed the fiftieth
anniversary of a happy wedded life Feb. 13, 1888, having shared
with each other the trials and pleasures, the joys and sorrows,
common to the lot of all for half a century. In early life Mr.
BOYINGTON was a Whig, but later affiliated with the Freesoil
party, and at the organization of the Republican party joined
its ranks and still continues a faithful adherent to its principles.
He is a man of more than ordinary ability, honest and upright
in his dealings, and is a consistent Christian, belonging to
the Congregational Church, in which his wife also holds membership.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 490-491.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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