This trip, we were able to throw a little genealogy into the mix. Black Hawk County, Iowa, was where Noah Boyles and his wife Elzina Hackett lived before heading South into Texas. The county seat, Waterloo, was only 2 hours from Burr Oak, and incidentally, only 45 minutes from Vinton, where Mary went to Blind School.
Sunday morning found us ready early (because worship in Iowa starts 15 minutes later than we're use to and we normally have to leave 45 minutes early to get to Bible Class on time), so we took the time to visit the 2 family cemeteries before services.
The Boyles and Hacketts and Lents lived in the Union Township area of Black Hawk County. The 2 cemeteries were across the river from each other, still only about 10 minutes apart.
In the Highland Cemetery, we found several Boyles, all of whom I believe are brothers, sisters and nieces/nephews of Noah. To get to Highland Cemetery, we had to walk down the lane - probably 1/2 a mile. Our shoes were very wet by the end of this visit.
Lovesta - daughter of a brother of Noah.
Nancy is possibly a sister of Noah because she's listed as the daughter of Daniel and Nancy Boyles and she died at age 26. The Daniel O Boyles next to her is probably Nancy's and Noah's brother, because his age is wrong for having a daughter 26 yrs old.
Sarah is most likely Daniel's wife and the reason the Boyles are here. She is listed as the daughter of Knapp and there are many Knapp's in the cemetery.
In the Gerholdt Cemetery, we found Elzina's father and her mother's brother. There were also several of Elzina's siblings. Elzina's mother, Mary (which is sometimes nicknamed Polly), moved to TX with the Boyles and is buried in Spring Creek Cemetery, Cooke County, where Noah Boyles is.
We found the Hackett's before even entering the cemetery. They are under the big tree up front. The flag is for the Thomas, who died while at Vicksburg fighting for the Union Army. Thomas, William Alonzo, and Janette are siblings of Elzina. John Hackett is Elzina's father and thus my children's 5th great grandfather.
I believe that Franklin Lent is the brother of Mary/Polly Lent Hackett.
Both are pretty cemeteries. The Highland Cemetery appears to be in better shape/better cared for. Gerholdt Cemetery had several, non relatives, who's tombstones are starting to be taken over by the vines and weeds along the fence.
Interesting information about Noah Boyles, he traveled to TX along roughly the same route the Ingall's followed to Kansas, about the same time, and he wrote letters back to the newspaper describing his travels. So, in a way, it all ties back in to our Little House Tour.
Sunday morning found us ready early (because worship in Iowa starts 15 minutes later than we're use to and we normally have to leave 45 minutes early to get to Bible Class on time), so we took the time to visit the 2 family cemeteries before services.
The Boyles and Hacketts and Lents lived in the Union Township area of Black Hawk County. The 2 cemeteries were across the river from each other, still only about 10 minutes apart.
In the Highland Cemetery, we found several Boyles, all of whom I believe are brothers, sisters and nieces/nephews of Noah. To get to Highland Cemetery, we had to walk down the lane - probably 1/2 a mile. Our shoes were very wet by the end of this visit.
Lovesta - daughter of a brother of Noah.
Nancy is possibly a sister of Noah because she's listed as the daughter of Daniel and Nancy Boyles and she died at age 26. The Daniel O Boyles next to her is probably Nancy's and Noah's brother, because his age is wrong for having a daughter 26 yrs old.
In the Gerholdt Cemetery, we found Elzina's father and her mother's brother. There were also several of Elzina's siblings. Elzina's mother, Mary (which is sometimes nicknamed Polly), moved to TX with the Boyles and is buried in Spring Creek Cemetery, Cooke County, where Noah Boyles is.
We found the Hackett's before even entering the cemetery. They are under the big tree up front. The flag is for the Thomas, who died while at Vicksburg fighting for the Union Army. Thomas, William Alonzo, and Janette are siblings of Elzina. John Hackett is Elzina's father and thus my children's 5th great grandfather.
I believe that Franklin Lent is the brother of Mary/Polly Lent Hackett.
Both are pretty cemeteries. The Highland Cemetery appears to be in better shape/better cared for. Gerholdt Cemetery had several, non relatives, who's tombstones are starting to be taken over by the vines and weeds along the fence.
Interesting information about Noah Boyles, he traveled to TX along roughly the same route the Ingall's followed to Kansas, about the same time, and he wrote letters back to the newspaper describing his travels. So, in a way, it all ties back in to our Little House Tour.
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