John Boyle, one of the thrifty farmers of this county was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1808, son of David and Ann (Furgeson) Boyle, natives of the same county. He learned the trade of weaver (fine muslins, silks, etc.), and was thus employed till he immigrated to America in 1828. He went to Baltimore, after reaching the United States, where he remained about five years engaged in manufacturing (check cottons) and mercantile business with David Stillat. In 1838 or 1839 he came to Rising Sun, from whence he soon began river trading which he continued with success for five years, farming during summer seasons. He then began merchandising in Patriot, but sold out six months later and removed to his present farm, a portion of which was inherited by his wife, and to this he has since added several hundred acres. He has ever since followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Boyle was married, March 28, 1841, to Mrs. Jean Huston, widow of William B. Huston, and daughter of James and Arabelle (Archibald) Boyle, her parents also natives of Scotland. She was brought when a babe to this county by her parents, who settled back of Rising Sun, where they lived till their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle have had six children: Jennie, David W., Hugh, Charles, Anna Belle and John. By her first husband, to whom she was married in 1833, Mrs. Boyle had two children, James and Wilson B. The latter died in April, 1863, just as he had about completed a fine medical education at Ann Arbor and the Ohio Medical College. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed as citizens of their community.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell