The father of our subject, Patrick Boylan, was born in Ireland not far from the city of Dublin, was of good Irish blood and the son of a gentleman of considerable means. He received careful training and better educational advantages than fall to the lot of all boys. When eighteen years of age he was sent to America, beginning business as a merchant in New York City. There he remained until early in the ‘30s, in the meantime having married Miss Mary Branagan, a native of Ireland, who had emigrated to New York with her brothers when a young woman. Mr. and Mrs. Boylan with two children emigrated West, via the water route to St. Louis, Mo., when that city was but a small town. There Mr. Boylan lived for a few years, being engaged in the work of macadamizing streets. About 1840 he sold out his interests there, coming to this county and taking possession of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Medina Township, began the pioneer work of development.

A log house was built, improvements made from time to time, and subsequent purchases made until the Boylan farm amounted to almost two sections. Mr. Boylan still occupies the homestead, and although eighty-five years of age, is quite active physically and mentally. He is a well-respected citizen, a member of the Democratic party, and the Catholic Church. His wife departed this life on the homestead in 1878, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a devout Catholic also. The parental family consisted of four children, one of whom is deceased. Of the survivors, Charles and Thomas own and operate farms in Medina township; they, like their brother John, are married and have families.

The subject of this notice was born in St. Louis, October 13, 1837, and being brought to this county in childhood, grew to man’s estate on the farm, acquiring such an education as the district schools could furnish and a thorough knowledge of the vocation to which he turned his attention. He was still unmarried when he took possession of his present farm. He was first married in this township to Miss Christina Holihan, who was born in New York City in 1843 and coming West when a child, grew to womanhood on the parental estate in this township. She died at her home in 1875, her career cut short in the prime of life. She left five children: William F., M. Ella, Rosa, Lena and Clara. The son, a student in the Cincinnati Medical Institute expects to be graduated in June, 1891, and enter at once upon the practice of his chosen profession. In the intervals of study he occupies his place at the parental fireside where his sisters yet remain.

A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by our subject in this township, his bride being Miss Eva A. Weber. Her parents, Andrew and Gertrude (Wiltz) Weber are well-known residents of Chillicothe where they have spent many years. They are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Weber is a furniture dealer and cabinet-maker. Both are natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to America in childhood with their respective parents who located in this county. Their daughter, Mrs. Boylan, was born in Peoria, January 4, 1852, reared and educated in Chillicothe and like her parents belongs to the Catholic Church. She has borne her husband four children: Emmet, John, Lewis and Archibald.

Pages 443-444