The Boone Family of Boone County, Iowa

WILLIAM MYRTLE BOONE.

William Myrtle Boone, who is now li\- ing a retired life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Page, on section 14, Worth township, was for many years a thrifty and enterprising farmer owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land. He came to Boone county in the fall of 1851, finding here a district situated upon the frontier while pioneer conditions existed throughout the county. He was born in Harrison county, Indiana, on the banks of the Ohio river, May 30, [822, and is a son of Squire Boone and a grandson of Moses Boone, both natives of Kentucky. The latter's father was also named Squire Boone and was a brother of the noted pioneer and explorer, Daniel Boone, who led the way into the wilds of the Blue Grass state. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in Kentucky and was married there to Phebe Rissler. who was born in Virginia and was reared in Kentucky. In that state the father carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years and then moved acres the Ohio river into Indiana, where he again developed a new farm. In 1852 he crime to Iowa, settling in Worth township, Boone county. Here he purchased land and with the aid of his sons again improved a new farm upon which he spent his last years. For several years prior to his death Ikwas a resident of Boonesboro. His wife died there and he then went to live with his son, William M., with whom he remained until his death which occurred December 5, 1871;. when he was eighty-five years of age. He was twice married and by the first union had two daughters, while by the second union he had three daughters and four sons. William M. was the eldest of this family. There are two sons and one daughter living, the brother, Tyler Boone, being one of the substantial farmers and well-known citizens of Worth township. The sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, is a widow living in Madrid.

William M. Boone was reared in Putnam county. Indiana, and assisted his father in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority and then took charge of the old home place which he conducted for ten years. He was married in Putnam county, in 1841. to Miss Nancy Parker, a native of Kentucky. In the fall of 1851 he came to Iowa and settled hear old Boonesboro, in Boone county.

There he purchased a claim of two hundred and forty acres and when the land came into the market entered it from the government and secured his title. After raising one crop he rented his laud for a number of years and subsequently traded it for land in Worth township on which he took up his above about 1853. He had removed to Worth township in order to be near his father and attend to the business interests of his parents. He then cultivated and improved a new farm of one hundred and sixty aero, built good residences upon it. operated the fields, planted fruit trees and made valuable additions to the place which transformed it into a model farm of the period. There he continued to carry on agricultural pursuits with signal success until [896. < >n the ist of Januan. 1 >f that year, his wife passed away and he then rented the farm, but previous to this time he had given portions of it to his children and aided all of them to get a start in life making a gift of a farm to each.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boone were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Alice is the wife of Thomas Page, now of Luther: Edward M., is a resident of Wyoming; Jesse P. is also living in Luther; Virgil is a resident farmer of Worth township;Matilda is the wife of Wesley Page, a substantial agriculturist of Worth township; Laura is the wife of James \Y. Wayne, also a farmer of Worth township: and Oliver P. follows agricultural pursuits in this a tint.

In the early life Mr. Boone of this review voted with the old Whig part\ and. upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party at its organization and cast his ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has since voted for each presidential candidate of the party, never wavering in his allegiance to the principles in which he so firmly believes. He has never sought or desired office, preferring that his attention shall be given to his business affairs. Fifty-one years have passed since his arrival in Iowa, — more than half a century — and-real changes have occurred during this long period. The most farsighted could not have imagined, much less d; earned of the present flourishing condition of the county, ranking to-day among the leading counties of this great commonwealth, lie has seen B le grown from a nine hamlet to one of the leading cities of tin. state; has witnessed the introduction of tie railroads, bringing the count)' into close communication with other portions of this land; saw the wild prairies reclaimed for of civilization, while roads were constructed and homes were built and churches indicate the moral and educational states of the community. Mr. Boone has endorsed every movement for the benefit of the county and is well known

►ul this section of the state as a man whose life has ever been honorable and upright, his example being well worthy of emulation by his children and grandchild dun. lie has many friends throughout this portion of Iowa who will be glad to see his record in the huston of Boone county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Lewis Boone, a representative of the family in whose honor the c'county of Boone was named, was born in Worth township, this county, on the nth of October, 1861. His parents, Tyler and Mary (Nutt) Boone, were both natives of. Putnam county, Indiana, and took up their above among the earliest settlers of Boone county, Iowa. The family came overland to this county from Indiana, its representatives settling in Worth township and also in Des Moines township. Tyler Boone, the father of our subject, still resides in Worth township, but the mother there passed away in 1903. Their children are five in number, as follows: Lewis, of this review: Philip, who is a resident of Athberton, Montana: Mrs. Julia Luther, living in Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Eva Burlingame, who makes her home in Madrid. Iowa; Mrs. Minnie Hull, of Worth township. All were born and reared in Worth township, this county.

Lewis Boone grew to manhood in his native county and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he came to Madrid and for the past twelve years has there been employed as a laborer.

In Worth township Mr. Boone was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Dyer, a native of Coles county. Illinois, and a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Dyer, who took up their above among the earliest settlers of Boone county, Iowa, locating in Worth township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They had twelve children, five of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Anna Hurley, of Greene county, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Boone; Mrs. Vina Huffman, a resident of Worth township: Lawrence, living in Colfax township; and Matthew, of Worth township. All were reared in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Boone have two sons: William, who was born June 17, 1885, and resides with his parents in Madrid; and Roe, born December 14, 1890. who is a resident of Dnbuque county, Iowa. Both were born, reared and educated in Worth township.

Mr. Boone gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served as a member of the school board in Worth township. He is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America at Madrid, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church of Worth township. Mr. Boone has spent his entire life within the borders of this county and enjoys an extensive acquaintance here. His family is directly descended from Daniel Boone and was represented among the pioneer settlers of both Indiana and Iowa.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.