My Genealogy Hound

Richard Boyce. Prominent among the enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Franklin Township stands the name of the above mentioned gentleman, who was born in Allegheny County, Penn., in 1817, and who was the second in a family of eight children born to Isaac and Sarah (Denniston) Boyce, natives of Pennsylvania. The Boyce family were early settlers of Pennsylvania, and the paternal grandfather was a Quaker in his religious views, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Isaac Boyce was a soldier in the War of 1812, was a man well known and universally respected. Grandfather Denniston was a Revolutionary patriot. Richard Boyce remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until eighteen years of age, was educated in the schools of Allegheny County, Penn., and at the above mentioned age began learning the carpenter trade, which he followed for twelve or fourteen years. Mr. Boyce was married in Washington County, Penn., in 1845, to Miss Mary E. Giffin, a native of Allegheny County, and the daughter of John and Jane (Hanson) Giffin who were natives of the North of Ireland. Her parents immigrated to Pennsylvania at an early day, settling in Cumberland County, and there the father followed farming. He died in 1874, and his excellent wife passed away a few years previous. After his marriage, Mr. Boyce settled in Pennsylvania, and in May, 1866, moved West, locating in Franklin Township, Miller County, Mo. He bought an improved farm a few years later and traded that for 155 acres of good land where he now lives and has made his home ever since. He has taken a great interest in the fruit industry, and planted three orchards since coming to the county, two on his present farm; and in 1886 he erected a good frame residence. He is engaged in general farming, and makes a success of the same. He has been a member of the Republican party since its birth; has always voted that ticket, and voted for Gen. Harrison in 1840. In 1864 he enlisted at Pittsburg, Penn., for 100 days in the One Hundred and Ninety-third Pennsylvania Infantry, in Company C, and was kept mostly on detached duty; was honorably discharged at Pittsburg, November 9, 1864. After the war he returned to Allegheny County, Penn. Mr. Boyce is a member of Samuel McClure Post No. 145, G. A. R., at Aurora Springs, and is quartermaster at the present time. He joined this organization in 1884, and has been in office ever since, being commander at one time. He has also been a member of the school board. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyce were born eight children, four now living: Isaac N., married, resides in Franklin Township; Jane, died in 1848, at the age of eleven months; Sarah E., died in 1852, at the age of five years; Rebecca, died in 1852, at the age of two years; Mary Emma, now Mrs. Wright, resides in Miller County; John R., died January 16, 1885, at the age of twenty-five years; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. White, resides in Franklin Township, and Margaret, at home.