Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-07-22
A PIONEER PHYSICIAN
Brief Sketch of the Life and Character
of DIR. James Wilton
Boyle.

DALLAS, Or, July 1910 the
Editor )-The mention of the name Of
DIR. James w. Boyle will awaken the
memories of more people in Polk and
adjoining counties than that of any
other man who has ever followed the
healing art within the same field oi
labor.
DR.. Boyle was born in Tazewell
county, Virginia, April Is, 1915. He
began the practice of medicine in
Indiana when only 1S years old, be-
fore taking a collegiate course. He
went from Indiana to st. Louis,
Missouri, and took two courses OF
medical lectures in Kemper College.
After graduating in the Spring OF
1874, he moved to Fairfield, Iowa,
where he followed his profession until
1845. He then came direct to Oregon
and established himself in Polk county
near where the town of Rickreall is
now located.
When he began to practice medicine
in this county he had nothing with
which to begin business but his talent
and honor, having spent his earnings
in mastering his profession and in
making his journey across the plains
to Oregon with a slow-plodding OK
team. Soon after arriving in Oregon,
Doctor Boyle married a most charm
ing and estimable young woman,
Miss Josephine Pauline Ford, a
daughter of Col Nathaniel Ford. The
Doctor was not like most of our young
Doctors Of today who justify them
selves in not marrying by saying
that they cannot afford it. He thought
it was very poor country where two
couldn't make a better living than
one, so on May 10, 1846, the bond Of
union was consummated that resulted
in establishing what is known in Polk
county as the Boyle family
Dr. Boyle first selected his donation
claim on what is known as the old
Whitaker place. He built his cabin
near the spot where company is now
boring for oil. He sold this claim be-
fore fling and located his permanent
donation claim on the north side of
the LaCreole, mile above Rickreall.
He also purchared 800 acres adjoining
his donation claim, which gave him
$50 acres of fertile valley land. He
lived in his log cabin for many years,
using it for residence and Office. In
the early sos, he built large frame
house, which stands today as monu-
ment to his thrift and enterprise.
The Doctor was an industrious man.
He rode day and night, far and near,
rain or shine, through dust and mud,
over valley, hill and mountain. His
field of practice embraced at one time
all the territory from East Chehalem,
North Yamhill and Grand Ronde
valley to Blodgett's valley in Benton
county; to Spring Valley, and over
into the Waldo Hills. There seemed to
be no limit to his physical endurance
He had wonderful perspective
powers; could discern readily, dag
nose his cases and render correct
prognosis. He was an all-round
practitioner; could pull a tooth or
amputate thigh at any time when
necessary. He was very successful
in every department of his profession.
This accounts for his popularity. He
was philanthropic, and attended rich
and poor alike. He always kept good
horses was fond of them, and took
good care Of them. Often coming
home late at night, himself and horse
muddy and cold, he would wash, dry
and bed his animal before going to
his own bed.
In 1858 he opened in Dallas the first
drugstore in Polk county-the store
now owned and managed by Belt &
Cherrington. He was of Scotch and
Irish descent, very aggressive and
progressive, and always on the ad-
vance-which qualities he demon
strated by Withdrawing from his large
field of practice and taking a course
Of lectures in Cooper College, in San
Francisco, in 1868 and 1864, in order
to be abreast of the times in his pro-
fession. If he had any spare moments
at home, he would haul wood or do
any farm work. He would even cook
the meals if his wife was sick, and
often assisted her in doing other
Notwithstanding very unusual
in the medical profession.
DR.. Boyle was a domesticated man,
and loved his wife and children. He
was tender-hearted, and was often
seen shedding tears in common with
those suffering from bereavement. |
His motto was ''Cheers for the living,
and tears for the dead" In order to
give his children better facilities for
acquiring an education, he bought
i / AT-