DR. E. W. BOYLES, physician, Clay City, was born in Du Bois County, Ind., May 16, 1836, and is a son of James C. and Catherine (Goodman) Boyles. John Boyles, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, his father having come from Ireland in a very early day, and was a soldier in the Revolution. The grandfather came to Kentucky and settled in Logan County, where he married. In that county the father was born November 21, 1813. About 1820, the grandfather emigrated to Indiana with his family and settled in Du Bois County, where he died in 1856 at the age of seventy-five. The father grew to manhood in that county, and at an early period of his life turned his attention to the practice of law, and made that the vocation of his life. He, however, found time for farming, and engaged in that quite extensively. He was married, March 28, 1833, to Miss Catherine Goodman. This lady was born in Kentucky in 1815, and came from that State to Indiana with her parents, William and Tearby (Jones) Goodman, when quite young. The father died September 27, 1859. The mother is still living with her son. To her were born eleven children, of whom seven are now living, viz., E. W., our subject; S. A., in Nebraska; Mary E., wife of T. A. Chaney, of Rinard, Wayne County; M. M., in Dakota; J. C., in same State; Eva, widow of J. C. Kennedy, deceased; Amy J., wife of C. C. Valentine, of Yankton, Dakota. The education of our subject was received in the pioneer schools of his native county. In 1854, he commenced to study medicine with Dr. R. M. Williams, of Jasper, Ind. He read with him for about two years, and then, in January, 1857, he removed to Georgetown, Clay Co., Ill. There he began the practice of medicine. In September, 1861, he went to Chicago and attended lectures at the Rush Medical College. From that institution he graduated February 4, 1862. From there he came directly to Clay City, where he has since resided. He has a very extensive practice extending over considerable portions of Wayne, Clay and Richland Counties. The Doctor is a member of the Centennial Medical Society of Southeastern Illinois, also of the Tri-State Medical Society. In 1880, he took a subsequent course of lectures at Chicago, and at that time he spent most of his time in hospital work. At present he is also serving as United States Pension Examiner, and has held that office since 1867. Dr. Boyles was married in Du Bois County, Ind., March 14, 1859, to Miss Mary Ann Mahin, a daughter of William and Eveline (Johnson) Mahin, natives of Orange County, Ind. Mrs. Boyles was the mother of five children, of whom three are now living, viz., Herbert H., born January 12, 1863; James W., born September 26, 1866, and Horace B., born May 9, 1868. Mrs. Boyles died July 11, 1874, and the Doctor was married the second time, September 20, 1875, in Olney Ill., to Mrs. C. C. Reaugh, nee Cambly, a daughter of Judge R. S. Cambly, of Olney, Ill. Two children have been the result of this union, one of whom is now living. Vivian W., born December 5, 1881. In politics, subject has always been connected with the Republican party. Since his advent in this county, he has held many offices of trust and profit, among which are Township Clerk, Township Collector and School Director. He is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M.
Extracted 28 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, pages 172-173.
| Fayette | Effingham | Jasper |
| Marion |
 |
Richland |
| Wayne |
Clay County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by 