- LEWIS BOYNTON, a prosperous young farmer of Jordan township,
Green county, has passed
- his entire life there, having been born Sept. 15, 1868, on
the old BOYNTON homestead, part of which he now owns and resides
upon.
- Lars L. BOYNTON, our subject's father, was the first Norwegian
to settle in Green county,
- coming there in 1844, with his first wife, Cynthia (SKAUG).
Lars L. BOYNTON was born in Norway, son of Lars L. BOYNTON, Sr.,
who lived and died in that country. On first coming to this country
he located in Lafayette county where he lived for a year, and
on his removal to Green county he took up government land in
Jordan township, the homestead of which our subject now owns
a part. Mr. BOYNTON became one of the leading citizens of the
township, and prospered in his agricultural work, at the time
of his death owning 220 acres of valuable land, well improved
and provided with substantial barns and comfortable dwellings.
His house was one of the first in what is known as the Jordan
Valley, and was a large one-story log structure, which stood
for many years. Mr. BOYNTON had to work some time to accumulate
enough to bring him to America, and as he commenced pioneer life
in this region without means, he saw many hardships in the early
days, but long before his death he was in comfortable circumstances,
and lived many years in the enjoyment of the competence acquired
by his own industry. He passed away Sept. 30, 1899, aged eighty-five
years, eleven months and eighteen days.
- Mr. BOYNTON's first wife died about 1858. There were no children
by that union. On Sept. 16,
- 1867, he married Miss Martha GORDEE, of Jordan, and they
became the parents of children as follows: Lewis is the subject
of this article. Clara Amelia, born March 11, 1870, is the wife
of Iver ELLINGSON, who is a carpenter by trade, teaches in the
local public schools, and is also engaged in farming in Jordan
township; they have three children, Mamie G., Lester and Florence.
Emma S., born Dec. 4, 1873, is the wife of William OLSON, of
Jordan township, a farmer and teacher; they have two children,
Raymond L. and Mabel. Mrs. Martha BOYNTON passed away Jan. 18,
1892. Mr. BOYNTON's religious connection was with the Lutheran
Church, and he was a Republican in political faith.
- Lewis BOYNTON, whose name opens this sketch, was reared in
the township of his birth,
- receiving his education in the public schools of the home
neighborhood. He was early trained to agricultural work, and
chose farming as his occupation - a choice which he has so far
had no cause to regret. His farm, which consists of 110 acres
of the old homestead, finely improved and cultivated, has rewarded
him well for the attention which he has bestowed upon it, and
he has become known as a thrifty manager and systematic worker.
Mr. BOYNTON takes a public-spirited interest in local affairs,
and has served as a member of the township board. He is much
respected wherever known.
- On Nov. 20, 1894, Mr. BOYNTON married Miss Lena TOLLEFSON,
a daughter of Botolf
- and Anna (ERICKSON) TOLLEFSON, natives of Norway, and early
settlers of Jordan township. No children have been born to them.
Mrs. BOYNTON has two half-sisters, Julia, who lives in Sioux
City, Iowa; and Gunnill, in South Dakota. Mrs. BOYNTON is one
of a family of four, viz.: Thomas, unmarried, who resides in
Jordan township; Annie, wife of Golick GOLICKSON, of Jordan;
Lena, Mrs. BOYNTON; and Erick, of South Dakota, who married Clara
A. OLSON. Mr. and Mrs. BOYNTON united with the Lutheran Church
of Jordan.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; p. 833.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
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