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PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904



JACOB BOYSEL. - Jacob Boysel, now deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, August 31, 1834. His father, John Boysel, was the son of John Boysel, Sr., of Pennsylvania. The former was long a resident of the Keystone state, and from there removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he followed the miller's trade until his demise. His son attended the common schools of the latter state, but his educational privileges were rather limited. When he attained his majority he settled upon a farm in Fairfield county, Ohio, and there began agricultural pursuits on his own account.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia Mayes and they were married in Circleville, Ohio. Mrs. Boysel was born in Pickaway county, that state, January 29, 1837, and was a daughter of Louis and Eliza (Swain) Mayes. Her father engaged in the undertaking business in Tarlton, Ohio, throughout his entire life and there his death occurred. A brother of Mrs. Boysel, John A. Mayes, is a professor of music in Cincinnati. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Boysel, of whom five are living in Springfield: Wilson, who married Etta Tolley, is employed in the watch factory here. Louis, who wedded Mary Fogerty, is employed in the Ide Foundry of Springfield; Hilton, born October 19, 1864, married Miss Alice Naramore, of a very old and prominent family of Springfield. They have three children, Elmer, Leona and Ashley. Hilton Boysel holds a good position with the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield. It is in his household that Mrs. Jacob Boysel makes her home. His wife was a successful teacher in the schools of this city for six years, spending the last three years of that time in the second grade of the Palmer school. She was also assistant in the eighth grade with Professor Anderson for two years at the Trapp school, and spent her first year as a superintendent of the study room in the high school. She became widely and favorably known in educational circles. Maggie Boysel resides in Chicago. Mabel is the wife of John Peters and lives on the old homestead farm in Fairfield county, Ohio. Lilly is the wife of George Bockway, of Waltham, Massachusetts. Lottie, who was a clerk in the Coe Brothers' stationery store in Springfield for some time, was married February 29, 1904, to F. W. Bauman, now living at Bloomington, Illinois. William married Corinne Fonda and is employed by the Union Pacific Tea Company of Kansas City, Missouri. Laura died at the age of nine months.

After his marriage Mr. Boysel engaged in farming in Pickaway county, Ohio, until 1868 when he removed to the west and settled on a farm in Shelby county, Illinois, near Shelbyville. There he carried on agricultural pursuits for three years, but not being pleased with this location he returned to the Buckeye state. He was there employed for three years at carrying mail between Circleville and Nebraska, Ohio, but soon resumed farming in his native county and continued actively in that occupation up to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 27th of February, 1892. He lived an upright, honorable life, his career being characterized by indefatigable industry and strong purpose and thus he was enabled to provide a good home for his family.

After his death Mrs. Boysel continued to reside in Fairfield county for about a year and then sold her property and came to Illinois, settling first in Moweaqua, Shelby county, Illinois, where she remained for six months. In August, 1893, she came to Springfield in order to make her home with her children. She is a member of the First Christian church in this city. She now resides with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Boysel, at their beautiful home at No. 1009 North First Street.



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