BOYLEN, Felix
Felix BOYLEN, a leading blacksmith and
wide-awake business man of Lacon, Illinois, was born in County Cavan, Ireland,
September 15, 1846, a son of James and Catherine (McENTEE)
BOYLEN. In 1850, the family came to the new world, landing at
New Orleans, but while coming up the
Mississippi river the father died of cholera. The
mother with her children proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio,
where they made their home for some time. In 1855, our subject
came to Lacon, and his mother three years later, where her death
occurred in 1883, at the age of seventy years. In her family
were four children, but one died on the Emerald Isle. Patrick
enlisted in the union service in March, 1862, in Company C,
Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after three years
and a half on southern battle fields was honorably discharged in
August, 1865. His death occurred in 1872, at the age of
twenty-nine years. Mary, the sister of our subject, is the wife
of Charles BRADLEY, a farmer of Iroquois county, Illinois.
In early life, Felix BOYLEN learned the
blacksmith’s trade, which he has made his life work, and has the
name of being a most proficient and painstaking workman. In 1875
he led to the marriage altar Miss Martha DEAL, a native of
Vermont, and a daughter of Adam and Martha DEAL, who
were also born in the Green
Mountain
state. Five children blessed this union: Catherine, Frank, Mary,
Isabel and Nellie. The wife and mother was called to her final
rest November 12, 1887, at the age of thirty-four years. She was
a devout member of the Catholic church, to which her husband
also belongs. He is a worthy and valued citizen, and has been
called upon to serve as commissioner of highways and alderman,
being twice elected to the latter position and the present
incumbent form his ward. In politics he is a democrat. He stands
high in the regard of his friends and acquaintances, and as a
public officer has won the commendation of even those opposed to
him politically.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
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