THIRD GENERATION

4. Richard BOYLES ⁽⁷⁾ was born on Jan 11 1818 in Devonshire, England. He died on Dec 23 1894 in Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Boyles - Richard, died at his home in Carmel, of hemorrhage of the kidneys, on Sunday, December 23, 1894. Mr. Richard Boyles, aged 76 years, 11 months, and 12 days. Mr. Boyles was born in Devonshire, England, Jan 11, 1818, a son of William and Mary Boyles. In 1851, Richard sought a home in America, having at the age of 33 saved about $100 more than sufficeent to pay his passage to New York. He first settled in Ohio, where he lived for four years and where he married Miss Mary Hayden, who with nine of ten children raised to manhood and womanhood, still survive him. In 1855, he moved to Michigan, settling on the Carmel farm where he died. This farm consists of 120 acres mostly improved by himself. By frugality and inductry, Richard supported his large family well, gave his children the advantages of his day, and left a fair competence. His was a most unselfish life and he was alway thinking of other's needs, and seeking to comfort the sorrowing and unfortunate. He was upright in all his dealings and was one of the noblest of God's works, an horest man. Although, he lived to a ripe old age, the world can scarce afford to lose the benefit of his example. Mr. Boyles walked to Chester, Saturday, having first felt ill the night before. On Sunday evening he was called to the higher life. The funeral will be held at the Miller Church today, in Carmel, the Rev. H. S. Roblee conducting, with interment at Millerburg Cemetery. He was married to Mary Jane HAYDEN on Mar 22 1853 in Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

5. Mary Jane HAYDEN ⁽⁸⁾ was born on May 12 1835 in Ohio. She died on Oct 31 1909 in Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. She was buried in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Boyles - Mary, was born May 12, 1835 in Ohio, a daughter of Christopher and Anna McCallum Hayden, and passed from this life at her home in Eaton County, Michigan, on Oct 31, 1909, at the age of 74. She was married to Reichard Boyles, an Englishman on March 22, 1853, and to this union were born 10 children, nine of whom survive her. A daughter, Celesta Boyles Mason passed away several years ago in the west. One son, John resides in Oklahoma. The others, William, James, Walter, Alfred, Albert, George, and daughters Mrs. Harriet Porter, and Mrs. Orpha Tice, all live in the Eaton Co. area. Six of her stalwart sons acted as bearers for their mother to her final resting place. Mrs. Boyles was baptized at an early age in Ohio, and held staunchly to the faith her entire life, and as early settlers with her husband, they endured many hardships on their un-cleared land. Since her husbands passing several years age, Mrs. Boyles has made her home on their farm now occupied by the youngest son, George. She was always a very energetic person, with the motto, "Be ashamed to be idle." In fact, she never wasted a moment. She had a good voice for singing and during her more leisure time she was always reading, playing her mouth organ, or busy with her knitting needles. A kind and friendly neighbor and one more pioneer will be sadly missed by family and friends. Burial was in the family lot at Millerburg Cemetery, near the family homestead. BIOGRAPHY of Richard Boyles and Mary Jane Hayden: Richard Boyles came to America from Devonshire, England, in 1851 at the age of 33, with $100. There is no family record of what transpored between then and 1853 when he and Mary Jane Hayden of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Applied for their marriage license at the courthouse in Chardon, Geauga County. This document bears the notation that Mary's brother, because she was not yet 18, had to declare that he heard their father give his consent to the union. The Hayden's were prominent educators in Ohio, and staunchly active in their faith. Despite the fact that Richard was nearly twice the age of Mary, their marriage was an enduring one. The were kind and gentle people, devoted to family, church and each other. Perhaps their movement to Michigan from the fertile-rich state of Ohio was prompted by the lure of inexpensive land. Richard came here in 1854 and bought 160 acres in Carmel Township, Eaton County, for $5.00 per acre. The woodlands, and gently rolling hills, and small creek which ran through the property must have favorably influenced his decision as the rest of the land was very stony, and required a vast amount of labor to make it tillable. He returned to Ohio for his family, and probably not wanting to make the journey alone with his wife and infant son, sold 40 acres to their good friends, Samuel and Marget Clements. The two families then made their migration northward together. The first log cabin, in which both families lived, was built in a small clearing on the clements property, surrounded by an acre of woods. This is the home in which James Boyles, the Second of Richard and Mary's ten children, was born in November of 1855. The following year a log house was built on the Boyles's remaining 120 acres. The land from which the original timbers came was then used to plant corn and potatoes. When enough additional land was cleared, they put in a small crop of wheat. This was accomplished by plowing among the stumps with a jumper plow, and dragging with a pole. It was seeded by hand, cut with a scythe, and laid in the loft. Unfortunately, the fall rains seeped through the hand-hewed shingles drenching the wheat, which quickly spoiled. The winter, because they had produced no usable grain and had yet to clear adequate land for pasture, Richard and Samuil were forced to cut down beech trees so the cattle could feed on the berries. There was an abundant supply of wild turkey, deer and small game, but neither man had any knowledge in the use of firearms. Laciking sufficient funds to purchase badly needed supplies, the two men walked for miles in search of employment. When they began to harvest enough produce to sell, they often walked the more than five miles to Charlotte to market them. It was also not unusual for Mary Jane, seeking a buyer for her basket of butter and 3eggs, to walk to Kalamo. Richard and Mary later aquired a pair of oxen to help perform many of the heavy chores. Wheat to be ground into flour was hauled by horse and wagon to Marshall, until water mills were built closer to home. The first large barn constructed on the property was about 1876, and like most barns of the era was built on the side of a hill. The reason for this type of structure was two-fold: stalls on the lower side would be warmer for cattle; and a wooden floor on the upper level made it easier to store tools, farm supplies, and feed the livestock. The digging out of the bank was a difficult task, resulting in more than enough stone to construct the foundation. The length of barn was determined by the height of the two tallest trees, this lumber being used for the mainplate. For the width, eight logs were used for crossbeams. Eighteen poles, twenty feet long served as girders. Having no sawmill in the area that could cut this length of timber, the manual labor required for hewing, scoring, and erection of this size building called upon much of the abailable manpower in the community. This activity presented another task, providing these workmen with meals, that were laboriously prepared on wood-burning stoves. About 1860 the frame house was built, in which Richard lived until his death in 1894. Mary Jane continued to live here, being cared for by George Boyles and his family, until her passing in 1909. The farm was purchased by George from the heirs in 1903, and subsequently owned by his son, Albert. The homestead is now occupied by Albert and Bewthel's grandaughter - Judity Adams, with her husband Robert, daughters Karen, Julie, Paula, and son Patrick. This makes the sixth generation which has occupied and farmed this land. The property has been designated a Michigan Centennial Farm. 

Richard BOYLES and Mary Jane HAYDEN had the following children:

i. William Bailey BOYLES⁽⁹⁾ was born on Dec 7 1853 in Ohio. He died on Jun 10 1933 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Charlotte Republican - Tribune (Friday, June 16, 1933) Page 3. William Boyles was born in northern Ohio, Dec. 7, 1853, and departed this life, Saturday, June 10, 1993. He would have been 80 years of age next December. He was of English ancestry, his father Richard Boyles having immigrated from England, settling first in Ohio, and moving to Carmel Township in this county when William was two years old. He was the oldest of ten children, six brothers and two sisters surviving him. James and Walter of Vermontville, John of Oklahoma, George on the old homestead in Carmel, Alfred and Albert in nearby Chester, and two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Porter of Carmel, and Mrs. Orpha Tice of Grand Ledge. In 1854 at the age of 22 years he was united in marriage to Emma Braybrooks, from a well known and equally large family in Van Buren County, and she has been his companion of nearly sixty years of wedded life, surviving him. Eight children were born to this union, four of whom survive him: Bertha Clark of Great Falls, Montana, Victor of Milwaukee, and Irene and Emerson of Charlotte. He gave college education to 5 children. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Mary Crouse and Donald Boyles. After marriage he carved a home out of the woods near his father's home in Carmel, and with brother James, clearing the trees from many acres. They were widely known for their hard work even in these days, many times felling trees after dark, to be ready for a good start on the next days work at daylight. In the late 80's while still on the farm, he became interested in selling cultivators and plows, and in 1893 moved to Charlotte to continue his business. During the next fifteen years he became on of the most widely known men in the country - having an extensive farm implement business, first at Lovett Street in Charlotte, next where the Packard Mill building now stands on North Main Street, and then east of the present City Fire Department and City Hall. In 1903 he returned to his farm for a few years, retaining his home here, to which he ultimately returned, to spend his remaining years. He had owned and occupied the present home for nearly 40 years. He was always handy with the carpenter tools, and built many cottages for others at various lakes, at Wall Lake in Barry County, at Duck Lake, and Houghten Lake. He was always an outdoors man, most happy when he was building and planting, caring for and harvesting crops. In his late years he occupied his time in gardening, and was engaged in work at the time when the hands of fate occurred, that his time had come. He never sought public office or honors. He became a member of the Masonic Order and much enjoyed his contacts there. His greatest hobby was in the playing of Duplicate Whist, at which he was an expert, often joining with others in attending the State Tournaments at which he frequently finished with the highest score. William Boyles, always busy at work, charitable to others in thought, words and action, lived a full life, was a good husband and father, and a good citizen. Surely he deserved to hear the welcome words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord." Funeral services were held at the residence, 329 Horatio Ave., Tuesday at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. Roth, and burial was made in the family lot in Millerburg Cemetery. The pall-bearers were, M. Vomberg, Myron Hawkins, W. J. Havenstein, F. D. Reed, J. H. Bryan, and H. C. Carr. Charlotte lost a splendid man when William Boyles passed away on Saturday evening. He was the soul of honor and enjoyed the esteem of everyone. Back in his active days he was a keen student of Whist and took part in many State-wide tournaments. He enjoyed this fellowship, his only excuse for cards, and would have been happy to have looked up and seen these old team mates carrying his body to it's final resting place.
ii. James Henry BOYLES⁽¹⁰⁾ was born on Nov 29 1855 in Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. He died on Aug 17 1938 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried in Baptist Cemetery, Woodland, Barry County, Michigan. OBITUARY: James Boyles, son of Richard and Mary Boyles was born in Carmel Township, Eaton County, Michigan, November 29, 1855, and died Wednesday, August 17, 1938, aged 82 years, 8 months, and 18 days, at the Hayes-Green Hospital in Charlotte where he had been taken after an automobile accident near his farm home a few days previous. In 1880 he bought a farm in Sunfield Township which he cleared and improved. On March 13 1881, he married Hannah Bowser, thus having passed over 57 years of married life together. To this union was born on daughter, Oda V, and in 1903 they took two baby girls for adoption, raising them like their own, which place these children filled. For some years they lived in Charlotte and James worked with his brother, William Boyles, who sold agricultural implements. Early in life he was converted and united with the United Brethern Church in Carmel, and later transfered his membership to the Kilpatrick Church of Woodland. For the past 21 years he has been a member of the Methodist Church of Vermontville, and also for a number of years he was a member of the Comp Meeting Association of Sebewa. He leaves to mour their loss besides his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Oda V. Rood of Barnes City, Iowa, Mrs. Alice Reynolds of Lake Odessa, and Mrs. Altie Straup of Vermontville. Five grandchildren: Mrs. Edna Graves who with her husband, Rev. Rolfe Graves, are missionaries of the Belgian Congo, West Africa; Mrs. Ruby Tando who with her husband, Rev Irmen Tando, are in Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky; Mrs. Leeta Adolphe who is a teacher at Malcom, Iowa, and her husband Rev. Serens Adolphe of Barnes City who is attending Fletcher College of University Park; Irene Gehman of Barnes City, and Carl Gehman of Camas, Washington. He also leaves four brothewrs; Albert, Alfred and George of near Chester, and John Boyles of Okeene, Oklahoma, and one sister, Mrs. Orpha Tice of Grand Ledge, besides numerous nieces and nephews. For the past two and a half years of his life he has lived in near blindness, never murmuring or complaining, but bearing this affliction with Christian fortitude. He was an exemplary citizen, a good husband, a loving father, and a great lover of his home, nearly always to be found in quiet enjoyment of Christian Services over the radio, since his period of ill health. Many times he expressed the desire to be at home with those who had gone before, which desire is now fulfilled, and we can truthfully feel that when his eyes were closed to earthly scenes, they opened to the wondorous beauties of Heavenly Mansions. Funeral services were held from the Vermontville Methodist Church assisted by the Rev. E. B. Griffin, a close friend of Mr. and Mrs. Boyles. Two favorite songs of the deceased, "Lifes Railway to Heaven", and "Crossing The Bar", were sung to comply with his request.
iii. Anna Celesta BOYLES⁽¹¹⁾ was born in 1857. She died in 1886. OBITUARY: From the Star, a weekly newspaper published in Bennington, Ottowa County, Kansas. Pg. 4 column 2, issue of Sep. 17, 1886. Celesta Boyles Mason - Living on Coal Creek, died suddenly last Sunday, supposed from heart disease.
iv. Walter Christopher BOYLES⁽¹²⁾ was born in 1861 in Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. He died on Apr 14 1936 in Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried on Apr 16 1936 in Woodland Cemetery, Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Vermontville Echo, Thursday, April 16, 1936. Mr. Walter Boyles passed away at 7 o'clock, Tuesday evening, April 14, at the Infirmary, where he had been cared for about a year. He was born in 1861 in Carmel Township, a son of Richard and Mary Boyles. Funeral services were held at the Cheney Funeral Home in Charlotte at 2 o'clock this after noon, with burial in Woodland Cemetery, Vermontville. Walter was a carpenter by trade, and left his mark on many of the older barns in the area. He also served as a highway commissioner, supervising bridge and road construction. He was a large man with a good voice; and when younger, sang at many of the local funerals, and with the Church choir. His great strength and physical endurance were to serve him well, when in his later years he was to have a limb amputated without the use of any anaesthetic, due to a circulatory problem. At the age of 32 he was united in marriage to Miss Philey Isabice. They later parted, having had one son who died in infancy.
v. Harriet Adell BOYLES⁽¹³⁾ was born on Jul 26 1862 in Eaton County, Michigan. She died on Aug 6 1933 in Hastings, Barry County, Michigan. She was buried on Aug 9 1933 in Maple Hill Cemetery, Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Charlotte Republican, Thursday, August 11, 1933. Hariet Adell Boyles was born in Carmel Township, July 26, 1862, and died Aug. 6, 1933, at the age of 71 years, and 11 days. She was the fifth child of Richard and Mary Boyles who came from Ohio at an early day. She was united in marriage to Charles Porter, August 2, 1880, and moved to Isabella County where they remained only a year, returning to Eaton County which has been their home ever since. They were the parents of six children, five of whom survive her, one son dying in infancy. Mrs. Effie McConnell, Mrs. Mable Cole, Mrs. Florence Bowser, and clarence Porter all sesiding in or near Charlotte, and Mrs. Ruith Hummel of Hastings, at whose home she was tenderly cared for during her last brief illness. She was a very vigorous and active woman, and had been the constant attendant of Mrs. Eliza Fuller of Vermontville for the past 3 years, and where she is sadly missed. Her life companion died eight years ago. She was of a quiet and home-loving disposition and looked well after the ways of her husband and was idolized by family and friends. Her hands were never idle and the large amount of fine needle work, as wella s the kindly ministering deeds to those who were sick or afflicted, was her comfort in life. Besides the immediate family, she is survived by six brothers and one sister, James and Walter of Vermontville, Alvert, Alfred, and George of near Chester, John of Oklahoma, and Mrs. Orphie Tice of Grand Ledge. The oldest brother William passed on only eight weeks ago. An older sister, Mrs. Celesta Mason died in Kansas nearly 20 years ago. She is survived by 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, besided a host of friends sho mourn their loss. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of Van Bowser, with interment at the Maple Hill Cemetery, in Charlotte. Rev. W. B. Oldt of the Methodist Church officiated.
vi. Alfred Austin BOYLES⁽¹⁴⁾ was born on Sep 12 1865. He died on Dec 14 1943. He was buried on Dec 16 1943 in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Charlotte Republican/Tribune, Friday, December 17, 1943 - Sudden passing of Alfred boyles: While on his way to the woods Tuesday after noon at about 1 o'clock. Alfred A. Boyles, 78 years old, of Carmel Twp, suffered a sudden stroke and dropped lifeless to the ground. He was born in the county, Sep. 12, 1865, a son of Richard and Mary Boyles. There survive a daughter, Miss Gladys Boyles of California, three brothers, Albert of Chester Twp, John of Okeene, Okla., George of Carmel, and a sister, Mrs. George Tice of Grand Ledge. Funeral services were held Thursday forenoon at 11 o'clock at the Cheney Funeral Home, with the Rev. Don D. Nagel of the Northwest Carmel Community Church officiating. Burial was in the Millerburg Cemetery.
vii. Albert Oscar BOYLES⁽¹⁵⁾ was born on Sep 12 1865 in Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. He died on Apr 10 1944 in Chester, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried on Apr 14 1944 in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Charlotte Republican/Tribune, April 14, 1944 - Albert Boyles, 79 years old died Monday Morning at the home Chester Township. He was born Sept. 12, 1965, on the old family homestead in Carmel, now occupied by his brother George. He was one of 9 children born to Richard and Mary Boyles. He is survived by 2 brothers, George of Carmel, and John of Oklahoma, another brother Alfred (his twin) of Chester having died in Carmel Township last November, a sister Mrs. Orpha Tice of Grand Ledge, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held this Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Cheney Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Millerburg Cemetery in Carmel. Rev. V. H. Beardsley will officiate.
2 viii. John Calvin BOYLES.
ix. George Washington BOYLES⁽¹⁶⁾ was born on Sep 19 1869 in Eaton County, Michigan. He died on Jun 13 1949 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan. He was buried in Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel, Eaton County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Charlotte Republican, June 17, 1949. George W. Boyles, 79 years old, of Carmel Township died Monday at the Meyer Convalescent Home here. He was born Sept. 19, 1869, the seventh son of Richard and Mary Boyles, in Carmel Township where he had spent his entire life, being a retired farmer. Surviving are 2 sons, Albert of Carmel Township, and Irvin of Milwaukee, Wis., a daughter, Mrs. Marie Cook of Chester Township, and a brother, John Boyles of Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Pray Funeral Home. Rev. F. J. VanDyk officiating. Burial was in the Millerburg Cemetery, Carmel Township.
x. Orpha Mae BOYLES⁽¹⁷⁾ was born on Nov 10 1872 in Chester, Eaton County, Michigan. She died on Nov 23 1946 in Danby Township, Ionia County, Michigan. She was buried on Nov 26 1946 in Danby Cemetery, Danby Township, Ionia County, Michigan. OBITUARY: Grand Ledge Independent, November 28, 1946. Mrs Orpha Tice, age 74, died at the farm home in Danby Township, Saturday morning, November 23, following a years illness. She was the daughter of Richard and Mary Hayden Boyles and was born November 10, 1872 in Chester Township, Eaton County, Michigan. She had resided in Danby for the past 41 years. Surviving are two sons, Theron and Merlin Tice, both of the Danby Township area. Brothers, John of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and George Boyles of Chester Township, and four grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday at two o'clock from the Teman Funeral Home, Rev. Verne Darling officiated. Burial was in the Danby Cemetery.