Jonathan Boles, who has for a long time claimed the honor of being the oldest living settler of Boone County, died at his home near Moingona between 6 and 7 o'clock yesterday morning. His death is attributed chiefly to old age, and was probably in a measure hastened by the death of his wife who passed away only a few weeks ago. Mr. Boles was 78 years of age and had been a resident of the county for 51 years at the time of his death.
Jonathan Boles was born in Ohio in 1820 and when 18 years of age went to Michigan, following the trade of millwright. He traveled through various states until 1847, when he came to Boone County. In 1848 he built a mill at Elk Rapids, and in 1854 he moved to a farm on Section 18, in Marcy Township, near Moingona, where he resided until the time of his death. His farm consists of 160 acres of land. Mr. Boles was present at the organization of the county. He was elected the first county commissioner, at the first election in the county, which was held in 1850. At this election his hat was used as a ballot box. He claimed the honor of grinding the first grist ever ground in the county. He was married in 1851 to Miss Margaret A. McCall, a native of Indiana, born in 1832. Their family consisted of nine children: Margaret L., Charlotte J., Samuel A., Charles E., Albert S., Emma L, Frank L., Stella G., and Mary F., the last named dying when a child.
Mr. Boles in his younger days was a man of vigorous personality, and by those who knew him well he was called a typical frontiersman. While his education was limited he had a great deal of intelligence and a vast fund of native wit, which he used to good advantage in meeting the requirements of pioneer life. He was strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow man and his hospitality was of the most liberal kind. His native simplicity practically reached to eccentricity. He enjoyed good humor and never was at a loss to create amusement for those within whom he was associated. He was what is commonly termed "an original character," and this as much as his peculiar energy made him well known to everyone.
The funeral services were held at the late residence at 10 o'clock this morning and the remains were laid to rest by the side of his departed wife in the Sparks cemetery in Marcy Township.
Jonathan Boles was born in Ohio in 1820 and when 18 years of age went to Michigan, following the trade of millwright. He traveled through various states until 1847, when he came to Boone County. In 1848 he built a mill at Elk Rapids, and in 1854 he moved to a farm on Section 18, in Marcy Township, near Moingona, where he resided until the time of his death. His farm consists of 160 acres of land. Mr. Boles was present at the organization of the county. He was elected the first county commissioner, at the first election in the county, which was held in 1850. At this election his hat was used as a ballot box. He claimed the honor of grinding the first grist ever ground in the county. He was married in 1851 to Miss Margaret A. McCall, a native of Indiana, born in 1832. Their family consisted of nine children: Margaret L., Charlotte J., Samuel A., Charles E., Albert S., Emma L, Frank L., Stella G., and Mary F., the last named dying when a child.
Mr. Boles in his younger days was a man of vigorous personality, and by those who knew him well he was called a typical frontiersman. While his education was limited he had a great deal of intelligence and a vast fund of native wit, which he used to good advantage in meeting the requirements of pioneer life. He was strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow man and his hospitality was of the most liberal kind. His native simplicity practically reached to eccentricity. He enjoyed good humor and never was at a loss to create amusement for those within whom he was associated. He was what is commonly termed "an original character," and this as much as his peculiar energy made him well known to everyone.
The funeral services were held at the late residence at 10 o'clock this morning and the remains were laid to rest by the side of his departed wife in the Sparks cemetery in Marcy Township.
Jonathan Boles, who has for a long time claimed the honor of being the oldest living settler of Boone County, died at his home near Moingona between 6 and 7 o'clock yesterday morning. His death is attributed chiefly to old age, and was probably in a measure hastened by the death of his wife who passed away only a few weeks ago. Mr. Boles was 78 years of age and had been a resident of the county for 51 years at the time of his death.
Jonathan Boles was born in Ohio in 1820 and when 18 years of age went to Michigan, following the trade of millwright. He traveled through various states until 1847, when he came to Boone County. In 1848 he built a mill at Elk Rapids, and in 1854 he moved to a farm on Section 18, in Marcy Township, near Moingona, where he resided until the time of his death. His farm consists of 160 acres of land. Mr. Boles was present at the organization of the county. He was elected the first county commissioner, at the first election in the county, which was held in 1850. At this election his hat was used as a ballot box. He claimed the honor of grinding the first grist ever ground in the county. He was married in 1851 to Miss Margaret A. McCall, a native of Indiana, born in 1832. Their family consisted of nine children: Margaret L., Charlotte J., Samuel A., Charles E., Albert S., Emma L, Frank L., Stella G., and Mary F., the last named dying when a child.
Mr. Boles in his younger days was a man of vigorous personality, and by those who knew him well he was called a typical frontiersman. While his education was limited he had a great deal of intelligence and a vast fund of native wit, which he used to good advantage in meeting the requirements of pioneer life. He was strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow man and his hospitality was of the most liberal kind. His native simplicity practically reached to eccentricity. He enjoyed good humor and never was at a loss to create amusement for those within whom he was associated. He was what is commonly termed "an original character," and this as much as his peculiar energy made him well known to everyone.
The funeral services were held at the late residence at 10 o'clock this morning and the remains were laid to rest by the side of his departed wife in the Sparks cemetery in Marcy Township.
Jonathan Boles was born in Ohio in 1820 and when 18 years of age went to Michigan, following the trade of millwright. He traveled through various states until 1847, when he came to Boone County. In 1848 he built a mill at Elk Rapids, and in 1854 he moved to a farm on Section 18, in Marcy Township, near Moingona, where he resided until the time of his death. His farm consists of 160 acres of land. Mr. Boles was present at the organization of the county. He was elected the first county commissioner, at the first election in the county, which was held in 1850. At this election his hat was used as a ballot box. He claimed the honor of grinding the first grist ever ground in the county. He was married in 1851 to Miss Margaret A. McCall, a native of Indiana, born in 1832. Their family consisted of nine children: Margaret L., Charlotte J., Samuel A., Charles E., Albert S., Emma L, Frank L., Stella G., and Mary F., the last named dying when a child.
Mr. Boles in his younger days was a man of vigorous personality, and by those who knew him well he was called a typical frontiersman. While his education was limited he had a great deal of intelligence and a vast fund of native wit, which he used to good advantage in meeting the requirements of pioneer life. He was strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow man and his hospitality was of the most liberal kind. His native simplicity practically reached to eccentricity. He enjoyed good humor and never was at a loss to create amusement for those within whom he was associated. He was what is commonly termed "an original character," and this as much as his peculiar energy made him well known to everyone.
The funeral services were held at the late residence at 10 o'clock this morning and the remains were laid to rest by the side of his departed wife in the Sparks cemetery in Marcy Township.
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