As a young boy, Isaac moved with his parents to Indiana, after his father Abraham died, he moved to Jefferson County, Iowa with his mother, and in 1849, when the gold excitement was high in the country he crossed the plains by ox team to California, becoming one of the 49'rs. He and his nephew John mined in California for a few years then on to Oregon by 1851. He was the first known white man to explore the South Umpqua Valley east of Canyonville, where he acquired land donation claim No. 40 in 1852. He married Phoebe Thrush in 1858. He served as a Indian Scout in Spy Company of the 2nd Oregon Mounted Volunteers during the Rogue River War. "Pioneer Days of Canyonville' booklet published August, 1969.
Isaac and Phoebe Thrush Boyle had seven children.
~~~~~
The Fairfield Tribune, Wed., Mar. 9, 1892, Page 1, col. 5.

THE ARGONAUTS OF '49.
More About the Jefferson County Gold Hunters--
Their Trials and Tribulations -- Hard Experiences and
Very Little Gold -- The Conclusion.
By Hiram Heaton.

The "Spartan Band," as the company called itself, while united, found that nuggets of gold were not as plentiful as hickory nuts, even in California. They had lost a number of cattle near the headwaters of the Pitt river, stolen by Indians, and although they had sent a detachment to recover them, they only found their hides, the Indians having butchered them. The loss of the cattle had compelled them to abandon a large amount of their effects, and now their first work was to renew their supplies by sending a number of men to Sacramento for provisions. On their return, Hugh Shuffleton, James Hardin, McWhirter, and others, got lost, and wandered about all night. But finding their way soon after daybreak, at a place called Long's bar, they attempted to cross Feather river.
It had rained heavily in the night and the river rose very suddenly and when Hardin, with two other men, attempted to cross, they being the last, the water was like a mill sluice. Hardin used a shovel for a paddle, but at the first stroke the canoe capsized, and although Hardin could swim, and neither of the other men could, he was drowned and they both escaped.
Diligent search was made for the body, but in vain. This occurred in November. In June following Isaac Boyle, looking for oxen, saw something unusual in a drift of the river, and on inspection it proved to be the remains of a man. Hardin's brother Evan recognized the remains as his brother, and they were sent to Fairfield for burial; Hardin having been a Free Mason.

~ ~ ~
Before 1900 Isaac moved out of his home with Phoebe and stated he was single, he lived his remaining few years with his son Joseph Lane Boyle and his family. Also living in the home was 28 year old Maude Blundell, niece to Phoebe and Isaac, the daughter to Phoebe's sister Susan Thrush Blundell.
~ ~ ~
I just found a postcard in my grandmother Redifer's keepsakes, the postcard is a picture of Main Street, Bandon, Oregon, showing the Grand Theater sign on the left taken late 1800's or very early 1900's, it has horse drawn carriages and people wearing late 1800 clothing, Susan Blundell writes on the back of the card, "Feed Store on the side of the Grand" and signs her name, "Susan Blundell".
~ ~ ~

Of all the people that I never knew I would have loved to have known my great grandfather Isaac Lee Boyle.
I would have asked him about his parents and grandparents, what were they like, about his early life in Virginia, and of course I would want to know about the Snodgrass and McClanahan family lines and Robert E. Lee who the family knew.
~~~ Name Book Page Date
Boyle, I.L. 7-31 1905 estate
Boyle, Phoebe 18-41 1925 probate
~ ~ ~

The Douglas independent., June 23, 1883, page 3

Uncle Isaac Boyle and sons are very busy removing the weeds from their beautiful and promising crop of corn.
~ ~ ~

The Douglas independent., August 18, 1883, page 3

The lovers of melons will be pleased to learn that Uncle Isaac Boyle will have a fine supply in a couple of weeks.
~ ~ ~
The Douglas independent., September 08, 1883, page 3

Uncle Isaac Boyle, one of the oldest settlers on the South Umpqua can boast of a fine melon patch. His home is a popular resort for the youngsters on the Sabbath.
~ ~ ~
The Douglas independent., September 22, 1883, Page 3
Uncle Isaac Boyle will haul his grain to Myrtle Creek depot, where he can ship, if desired, to Portland, Oregon, or Portland, Maine.
It is a glorious thing to go from here to any part of the United States by railroad.
~ ~ ~

Roseburg Review.
(Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920
April 30, 1886,

Mr. Isaac Boyle and son from Canyonville paid their compliments to this office this week.
They are Democrats from away back.
~ ~ ~
Roseburg review. (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920,
September 19, 1889,
NOTICE TO HUNTERS
We the undersigned land holders, of North Canyonville precinct, hereby forbid any person or persons from running deer with dogs on our premises.
J.F. Gazley,
John Jackson,
Franklin Gazley,
J.L. Clough,
Ike Boyle,
Peter Weaver.
North Canyonville, Oregon., Sept., 16, 1889.
~ ~ ~
The Plains Dealer, Roseburg, Oregon
February 13,1905
Isaac Boyle is very sick at the home of his son, J.L. Boyle.
Pneumonia is the trouble and as Mr. Boyle is 87 years old
the chances are against his recovery.
Note: This was published two days after his death !
~ ~~

Morning Oregonian
Portland, OR
Feb 15, 1905

Roseburg, OR., Feb 14--(Special.)
-Isaac Boyle, an Oregon pioneer of 1850, died at his home in Day's Creek, five miles east of Canyonville, in this county, on Feb 11, aged nearly 87 years.
~ ~ ~

Note: Multnomah Co, is incorrect, his death record in Oregon states he died in Grant County, also incorrect, he died in Douglas County, Oregon.
~ ~ ~

Bio and Research by JMB