BOSTON K. BORLAND is one of the representative farmers of Richland county, of which he is a native son, being a member of one of the old and honored pioneer families of this section of the state and now the owner of one of the fine farm properties of the town of Bloom. He was born on the old homestead farm, in the little pioneer log cabin, in the town of Bloom, Sept. 7, 1856, being a son of Thomas and Margaret J. (Jewell) Borland. Thomas Borland, born in Pennsylvania, was a son of John Borland, a native of Ireland. The latter was one of the early settlers of Jackson county, Ohio, where he reclaimed a farm in the midst of the forest. In that county Thomas was reared and educated. He was an ambitious student in his youth and eligible for pedagogic honors, having been a successful teacher for many years. In 1852 he married Miss Margaret J. Jewell, who was born and reared in Carroll county, Ohio, being a daughter of Gilbert and Jane (Keene) Jewell, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in Pennsylvania. They were married in the old Keystone State, and about three years later removed to Carroll county, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Jewell having been a farmer and having also followed the blacksmith's trade. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom are deceased except the mother of the subject of this sketch, and Robert, who still resides in Carroll county, Ohio. Thomas Borland was the eldest in a family of nine children, of whom six are living. Thomas Borland remained with his parents until his marriage, and he was a successful and popular teacher in both Jackson and Carroll counties, Ohio, also doing much work as a surveyor. In 1845 he came with his wife to the wilds of Richland county, becoming one of the first settlers of the town of Bloom, where he secured eighty acres of heavily timbered land, in section 2. He made a clearing and put up his log house, after which he proceeded with the work of reclaiming his land to cultivation. He assisted in cutting through the first roads in this section of the county and found much requisition for his services as a surveyor, having served a number of years as deputy county surveyor. He was also one of the pioneer teachers of the county, and taught in one school during eleven winter terms and, in all, taught about twenty terms of school after coming to this county. He served as justice of the peace and was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the county. He espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its organization and was ever afterward a loyal supporter of its principles. He was a devout member of the Dunkard church, as is also his widow, who still resides on the old homestead, where his death occurred in October, 1903. To them were born four children: Catherine Jane, who became the wife of Charles Peck, died Dec. 30, 1885, leaving two children; Boston K., the immediate subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; John Gilbert died at the age of two years; and Margaret Ann is the wife of James Hunter, of Vernon county, their children being six in number. Boston K. Borland was reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days and his educational privileges were necessarily limited in scope. He continued to be associated in the work of the home farm until two years after his marriage and he still owns the place, in company with his venerable mother. He was married in 1879 and two years later took up his residence on his present farm, which is one-fourth of a mile west of the old homestead. His landed estate comprises 520 acres and he has about 200 acres under cultivation, having one of the best farms in the town of Bloom. In 1903 he erected his present attractive and commodious residence and in the following year he built his fine bank barn, thirty-six by sixty feet in dimensions. He has made the best of improvements on his farm and on every side are evidences of thrift and prosperity. He is held in unqualified esteem in the community and while he has never sought or held office he takes a loyal interest in public affairs and is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church. Sept. 21, 1879, Mr. Borland was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Morgan, who was born in Logansport, Ind., being a daughter of Squire and Catherine (Jones) Morgan, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Indiana. They came to Richland county in 1868, locating in the town of Bloom, where Mr. Morgan secured a farm and where both he and his wife passed the residue of their lives. In conclusion is given a brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Borland: Nancy Margaret, who was born Sept. 2, 1883, is the wife of Harry Ford, of Leroy, Dodge county, and they have two children, - Stanley and Lynn; Nora Catherine, who was born May 1, 1885, is the wife of Isaac Chatten, of Union, Vernon county, and they have one daughter, - Freda; Samuel Wallace, who was born Oct. 2, 1886, and who is a successful farmer of Bloom township, married Miss Pearl Mosier and they have one daughter, - Vera; Matilda Jane, who was born Oct. 6, 1889, is the wife of Ernest McKittrick, of Bridgeport, Wash.; and the four younger children remain at the parental home, - John Thomas, born Dec. 22, 1892; Nellie May, born Oct. 10, 1894; Irvin, born Nov. 5, 1898; and Beryl, born December 15, 1902.