California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 WILLIAM F. BOGGS.� This venerable resident of the Lower Lake pre- cinct in Lake county, living at Spruce Grove, in Little High valley, is a com- paratively recent settler in that section, yet in the brief period of his residence there his high character and industrious life have won him the respect of all his neighbors, and he is a beloved member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lower Lake. His membership in the Methodist denomination has extended over a period of sixty-two years, and he has always been an interested and zealous worker in both church and Sunday school. Pennsylvania is Mr. Boggs' native state, and he was born August 15, 1834, in Clearfield county. The history of the Boggs family in the United States commences with the immigration of three brothers, who came to this country from Ireland in Colonial times, before the Revolution, one settling in Pennsylvania and two in Maryland. Mr. Boggs is of the same family as L. H. Boggs, ex-gov- ernor of Missouri, who came to California in the year 1846, but the relation- ship is quite distant. However, the brother who settled in Pennsylvania was his ancestor. His great-grandfather, Andrew Boggs, was a trader among the Mingo Indians, and he was the first white settler in Center county. Pa. He died the year the Revolutionary war broke out, 1775. Robert Boggs, the eldest son of Andrew Boggs, was the grandfather of William F. Boggs, and he continued the trade with the Indians established by his father until the removal of the tribe by the government to the Corn- planter reservation in New York state. He afterward became an associate judge of Center county. Pa. John H. Boggs, father of William F. Boggs, was born June 22, 1804, in Center county. Pa., and lived to the age of eighty- seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Hoover, was born in 1803 in Center county. Pa., and they were married in that state. Of the twelve children born to their union, six still survive, the youngest now sev- enty years old. The mother passed away at the age of eighty-one years. John H. Boggs was a well known resident of Center county in his day, having fol- lowed the profession of school teacher and he served as prothonotary of Clarion county, Pa. William F. Boggs received all his school advantages before he was fifteen years old. However, he had other training, having served an apprenticeship of three years and four months at the cabinetmaker's trade, at Callensburg, Pa., and he became a most proficient workman. In the fall of 1856 he was one of a party of twenty-one persons, five families, who came westward, to Lasalle, Ill., where he worked at carpentry, and he continued to make his home in that state for five years. Early in the Civil war period, August 9, 1861, he enlisted in the Union service, joining Company K, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and he served under Generals Sherman and Grant. He has had the privilege of conversation with both those generals at their own tents. In the engagement at Fort Donelson his regiment suffered severely, going into the battle with seven hundred and twenty men, and having only one hundred and thirty uninjured at its close, or after six hours' fighting. His company went in with sixty-four men, of whom but six came out uninjured, seventeen being left dead on the field and forty-one wounded. Mr. Boggs had the misfortune to be among the latter, a minie ball going through his left shoulder and injuring him so badly that his life was despaired of for three months. He was taken to the hospital, but had to be sent home on furlough, a running sore develop- ing which did not heal for three months, and he was mustered out on account of disability six months after being wounded. Under a new call for volun- teers in 1864 he re-enlisted, joining Company H, Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry, into which he was mustered as second lieutenant. During his second period of service he was on duty along the Memphis & Charleston railroad, being thus engaged until the expiration of his term, when he not only received an honorable discharge, but also a certificate of thanks for honorable service signed by President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton. Mr. Boggs has had this certificate framed and it occupies an honored position in his home. He also has the blue coat pierced by the bullet which caused him so many months of suffering, and a poem he has written on the subject will interest the reader: THE LITTLE BLUE COAT I WORE AT FORT DONELSON I have a story to tell of a little Blue Coat, With bright shining buttons clear up to the throat. A belt around the waist and straps on the shoulders Which answered the purpose of canteen holders. It had no long skirts to flap 'round in a gale. Or catch on the splints when we slept on a rail. Or drag in the mud when we waded in slop ; Not even to sit on when we came to a stop. It had no deep pockets to hide away a fowl. Not even a measly little screech owl. But it was warm and cosy and neat as a fiddle. E'en though it didn't reach quite down to the middle. It was really handy to wear all around � To sleep on the bunk or roll on the ground. It was not much protection when out in a storm. And was never a burden when the weather was warm. It was the handiest coat you ever did see � Whether out on the march or climbing a tree. I was proud of this coat if the truth I must tell. For I really thought it became me so well. And when we went out on dress parade I held my head higher than any old maid. I kept it so clean looking, spick, span and new. For I surely was proud of the bright army blue. But alas! for all the care of the soldier in blue, His clothes will grow shabby 'spite of all he can do. And when he goes onto the field of battle, Midst the cannon's loud roar and the musketry rattle, No bullet respects either the gray or the blue. But riddles your garments all thru and thru. Thus at Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland river. In the midst of a storm that caused us to shiver, When the battle raged fierce 'mid cannons' loud roar, A wild Rebel bullet thru my little coat tore � A hole in the front, a slit in the back. The bullet was gone ! I ne'er could get track Of the vile little missile that dealt such a whack At the Little Blue Coat I wore at Fort Donelson. After the war Mr. Boggs was engaged for some time as deputy county clerk of Boone county, Iowa, but his health breaking down he resigned and went to farming in the hope of recovering. The change was gratifying in results, and he has continued to follow that calling ever since, by industrious application to his enterprises gaining an honorable competence. In 1900 Mr. Boggs came out to California and settled at Long Beach, where he acquired considerable property, though he has suffered a loss of nearly $7000 through depreciation of value caused by the panic of 1907. In 1911 he came to Lake county, where he is making his home on a tract belonging to his daughter, Miss Genevra E. Boggs. It consists of one hundred and forty acres on the Spruce Grove road, three acres having been sold off since they located here, and is five miles south of Lower Lake. Miss Boggs bought this place, and her father is homesteading the one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. He has set out seven hundred almond trees and three hundred other kinds of trees, all of which are doing well. Mr. Boggs has taken much pleasure in his connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the most interested Sunday school workers at Lower Lake, every Sunday morning finding him at the head of his class there, teaching the Scripture lesson. Undoubtedly his clean, Christian life has had much to do with his wonderful mental and physical preservation. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Post No. 181, at Long Beach, and in politics he is in hearty sympathy with the aims of the Progressive party. Mr. Boggs was married in Iowa in the year 1865 to Miss Zilpah J. Capps, a native of Indiana, and two children were born to their union: Edwards A., now living in New York City, who married Estella DeVine; and Genevra E., who is principal of a school at Pacheco, Contra Costa county.