Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-15
REV. SAMUEL H. BOYER,
FOUNDER OF CHURCHES,
DIES AT THE AGE OF so
Episcopal Clergyman Who En-
deared Himself to South
Philadelphians Had Re-
markable Career
WAS JEALOUS WORKER

The Rev. DR. Samuel Herbert Boyer,
whose many years of devoted service
to his parishoners of the Church OF the
Holy Spirit endeared him to hearts Of
South Philadelphians, died today at his
home, 1920 South Broad street, in his Slst
year. lie was the close friend Of the late
Bishop Whitaker. with whose co-opera-
ton he built the church at 1lth street
and Snyder avenue, OF which he was
rector for 10 years.
Doctor Boyer. before coming to this
city, built two other churches In ONO
one at Xenia and one at Glendale. He
was an indefatigable worker: even in MS
old age he would leave his bed on winter
nights to sit at the bedside of sick per-
sons, and his zeal for his mission took
him at times to the open pulpit of the
streets where in n wagon with an organ
he conducted services in that section
known as "The Neck: In districts in
habited by the very poor, who he found
had not been attracted to the regular
church services.
Doctor Boyer's death occurred mt .
o'clock this morning. He had been I'll
for three weeks, having contracted cold
which was followed by heart trouble He
was unconscious for the last three weeks
The members of his family were at his
bedside when he died. Mrs. Boyer is con-
fined to her room with illness. She was
Miss Buckner n daughter of DR.. William
Taliaferro BuclSner. of Virginia. Two
sons, Herbert NJ. Boyer, of West Philadel-
phia, and the Rev. Francis +. Boyer. of
New Bedford, Mass, and daughter,
Mrs. Luther S. Green. who lived with her
parents, also survive him
Doctor Boyer was graduated from Ken
Won College. Gambler, o., in 1866. 1t had
been planned by the college authorities
to confer upon him the degree OF doctor
of divinity on the occasion of the 50th
anniversary of his graduation in June.
When IL was learned that he would not
recover, 1t was decided TO confer the de-
gree at once, as 1t was known that this
mark of esteem from his Alma Mater
would greatly please him.
Doctor Boyer came to Philadelphia in
1873 to accept Il call to the rectorship OF
St Paurs Church, Sd street below Wal
nut. He had had charges at Pittston, Pa,
and in small Ohio towns. He was seven
years at st. Paul's and then returned TO
Ohio. Returning later to this city he or
ganized the parish and built the Church
of the Holy Spirit, He retired in 1908 and
was made rector-emeritus.
Many stories of his devoted labor for
his parshioners (among whom he in
'cluded every one he could reach in South
PHILADELPHIA are told i'm THE Neck
Only few years ago the mounted police
man on duty in desolate part of that
section, one stormy winter night, met
Doctor Boyer trudging along on the
muddy road TO visit a sick person. He
had been sent for after midnight and he
had insisted upon going out, although his
own health was not OF the best at that
time.
The policeman, who knew him well,
implored him not 10 go further at that
time of night in a district that had been
at that time the scene of number of
hold-ups and, being unable 10 convince
the aged minister of the danger, he at
last took it upon himself to compel him
TO return to his home. The incident is
typical of the devotion which many per-
sons in South Philadelphia felt for Doctor
Boyer
Doctor Boyer was an indefatigaole
walker, and frequently walked from his
home to League Island and back, He
continued his visits to his old parishion-
ers long after his retirement.
He was a son of the late Judge Samuel
Boyer, of Elmira, n. Y, He was or
dained by Bishop MeIlyaine in 1867.