Altoona Tribune
Feb 9, 1907

One of the Oldest and Most Respected Residents of Juniata

Served As Its Postmaster

Conducted a Grocery Store and Worked for the Railroad Company


The following obituary notice should have appeared in the Tribune yesterday. Owing to a combination of circumstances it did not reach this office in time;

The venerable Henry A. Boyles, one of the eldest and most highly respected of the citizens of Juniata borough, passed away from earthly cares into the higher life Wednesday noon.

Mr. Boyles had been slowly failing in health for several years and since early last fall was confined to the house. During the past few weeks his decline was even more rapid than formerly and he had been unable to rise from his bed since January 28. Last Sunday he was thought to be dying and from that time until his death the loving ones who cared for him felt that the end might come at any moment. The cause of his death was a gradual failing due largely to age, and he simply slept peacefully from this life into the next; the exact time of his death was 12:22; his entire family were at his bedside in his last moments.

H.A. Boyles was born near Sandy Run, Logan township, on January 8, 1832, and was consequently 75 years and 30 days of age. He was a carpenter by trade and worked as such in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad company for many years. In 1886 he opened a grocery store in what is now Juniata and personally conducted its management until April 1, 1906, when he was forced to relinquish business cares on account of failing health. Since disposing of his business he had lived in retirement and his last days were spent in rest well earned by a long life of useful citizenship.

He was on November 15, 1855 united in marriage to Miss Susanna Norris, in the borough of Hollidaysburg, and for over fifty one years they journeyed though life together. On November 15, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Boyles enjoyed the celebration of their golden wedding, which was largely attended by their numerous descendants.

The deceased is survived by his aged and devoted wife and their family of four sons and five daughters, who each with one exception reside almost within a stones throw of their father's late home.The children are; B.M. Boyles, Harry Boyles, J.C. Boyles, W.M. Boyles, Mrs. Mary Goodman, Mrs. Sadie Reigh, Mrs. Jessie Ergler, Mrs. Minnie Rhykard, all of Juniata, and Mrs. Gertrude Arble, of Pittsburg.
There also survives one brother and one sister- Andrew Boyles, of Greenwood, and Mrs. Rebecca Robinsm of Tyrone. Mr. Boyles grandchildren number twenty eight.

In 1870 the family came to what is now Juniata and only one man survives who had been longer a resident of that place than was the deceased. Mr. Boyles was the first postmaster of Juniata (as was then known, Kipple) and held that position for a number of years. The position is now held by his youngest son, W.N. Boyles.

H.A. Boyles has been for many years a loyal and consistent member of the Lutheran church and was a man highly respected and honored by all, quiet and unassuming, never seeking publicity, but always ready to declare himself for the right. He was a Christian gentleman in the truest sense. He is believed to be on of the Tribune's earliest subscribers and remained one until his death.

The funeral will be held on Sunday in the Trinity Lutheran church and will be conducted by the pastor, the Rev. H.E. Weiand. The cortege will leave the family residence on Sixth avenue at 2 p.m. Interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery.