Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-07
SAD NEWS.
John A. Boyer Dies Suddenly in
California.
Demise OF One of Rock Islsnt Couu,
Tvs Early Citizens-The Re
mains to be brought Hire
for InteTment.

A telegram was received in the city this
morning from E. P. REYNOLDS, at Los
Angeles, Cal, bearing the distressing in
teliigeuce of the death of John A. Bower
which occurred in that city on SATURDAY.
night.
Mr.. Boyer. in company with his neice,
Miss Dugsn, and E.. P, eynolds and
wife. left two weeks ago today on a visit
to California where they expected to
spend the winter, Mr., Boyer having been
accustomed the past few years to spend
his winter there and in the south Word
was receiv,d on Saturday that he was
quite well, but this morning came the
sad news of his death. He was in good
health when leaving. and nothing to the
contrary had been heard. but it is thought
that the strain of the long journey was
too much for him and it was under this
that he gave way.
He was born in Kentucky, Oct. Is.
1909, and came to Rock Island in 1887
and settled on the piece of ground upon
which he had resided over so years at the
head of what is now EN- street. A few
| years later he was united in marriage To
Mrs. Z@rnish Philips who dice in 1885.
Mr.. Boyer had spent mos; of his life in
farming, but had been constable in the
city number Of years and was deputy
! sheriff two terms under Sheriff Wells
from 1910 to 1874
He leaves three brothers. William and
Adam, who reside in Bowling township.
| and Jacob, whose home is in Texas.
He was generous. kind hearted man.
and beloved By all with whom he came in
contact. He was member of the Bap-
fist church, where he attended regularly.
BY his own industry he had amasstd q
snug fortune and the latter part of bis
life was spent in enjoying the results of
his early labors.
The remains will be brought here for
interment, and will probably not reach
here before next Friday or Saturday.
JOSEPH A. GRAY.
Intelligence has come to hand of the
death Of Joseph A. Gray at his residence
| in Wayne county, Nebraska, on Saturday
last of cancer in the stomach. The old
settlers of this vicinity will recall to mind
his advent to this city in the early 40's,
and bis long residence in their midst, and
will bear testimony to his reputable and
useful life as a citizen of this city and of
the state of Illinois. He was a carpenter
| by trade and worked at his trade for
many years, being in early days the
senior partner OF Gray, Cooper s. CO.,
subsequently with his brother>in>law as
| Gray q Annawslt, and more recently as
one of the firm of Annawalt, .Denkmann
| & Co 10 the lumber business. Out of
the latter firm came the present Rock Isl
and Lumber company which is still in
existence and doing business in this city i.
Mr.. Gray served several terms as alder.
man with credit to himself and prohtsbly
| to his fellow citizens. It was during his
term that the matter OF building the city
wsterworks was undertaken by the city,
and it is not saying too much that Mr..
Gray by his efforts and advocacy of the
measure both in council and elsewhere
contributed largely to the success of the
| undertaking.
Mr.. Grsy was one of the early members
Of the Masonic fraternity of this city, and
was always highly esteemed for his ex-
emplsry and consistent attachment TO
the principle OF the fraternity. and his
benevolent disposition and kindness to
objects of deserved charity. As citizen
he was industrious, always reliable and
attentive to business, public spirited, and
a man of positive convictions. His repu-
:ation for honesty and integrity was
above suspicion. In 1894 lie severed all
business connections here and removed
to Nebraska. purchased large farm and
has since devoted himself to farming
pursuits, in which ii is understood he
has been very successful. He was so
years of age, and leaves q wife and three
children, Emma, Mrs. Lucy Wollenhsupt
and Henry. The funeral occurred at
Wayne this afternoon.