Boyland - Martha Dowden
MARTHA DOWDEN BOYLAND
Source: Crawfordsville Review Tuesday Jan 4, 1916
Mrs. Martha Mildred BOYLAND aged 86 years (sic) one of the well-known and beloved pioneer mothers of the county died a the home, 312 Porter Street, Monday a.m. at 4:15 from an attack of pneumonia that had its inception on Saturday last following a slight sickness that had prevailed since the holidays. Had the aged woman lived until the 7th of January she would have celebrated her 86th birthday (sic). Mrs. Boyland was the daughter of James and Roxanna Dowden. She was born in Shelby Co KY and came to this county when but 9 years of age. The family settled in what became known as the Dowden neighborhood southwest of the city but later moved to this place and built the house in which Mrs. Boyland died. She was married to Jeptha Boyland a famous millwright of the early day and to them six children were born, three survive: Charles N. and Mrs. Milton McKee, this city and Mrs. John L. Hills of Plumber, Indiana. One daughter, Phoeba Cruse and two sons, Thomas and Edward preceded her in death. The husband died 20 years ago. Early in life the deceased espoused the cause of Christ and became an earnest and sincere member of the Methodist Church. Her whole life was a living example of a true Christian. Besides giving a mother's love to her own she reared the children of her dead daughter. Grandma Boyland had an active earnest and helpful life. Busy and cheerful she radiated happiness among those with whom she came in contact. She was the true type of a pioneer mother. The funeral will occur Wednesday afternoon at 2 at the home of Lulu Cruce a niece with whom Mrs. Boyland lived, 312 Porter Street in charge of Rev. W. Woolsey of Danville, Illinois. Burial at Odd Fellows Cemetery - kbz