Wife of Alva Vernett Boylan. Daughter of Luther Holbrook and Abigail Britton

OBITUARY

THE CHARITON DEMOCRAT
Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, August 27, 1903

MRS. ALVA BOYLAN

Mrs. Alva Boylan, one of the most highly respected ladies of Lincoln township, died suddenly at her home on Friday morning, August 15, 1903. She had been in Chariton two days previous and was in apparent good health.

After returning home she felt slightly indisposed. On Thursday she did not feel well but after retiring she went to sleep and slept soundly until 3 o'clock when she awoke and said she felt alright.

On Friday morning about five o'clock when Mr. Boylan arose, he noticed the strange appearance of his wife and at once aroused his daughters who hastened to their mother's bedside only to find that her life was extinct. Death had apparently come about ten minutes before and was due to a stroke of paralysis.

Funeral services were held at Beulah church on Sunday forenoon, conducted by Rev. Guy Stover, after which the remains were gently laid to rest in the Oxford cemetery. They were followed to their resting place by an unusually large concourse of sorrowing friends.

Miss Sarah D. Holbrook was born in Windham county Vermont, on July 6, 1834. At the age of ten years she went to Ohio. She was united in marriage to Alva Boylan on February 20, 1851, and moved to this county a year later. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom with the husband survive her.

The living children are Mesdames Emma Pierce and Cora Calhoun of St. Louis; Laura Foster of Denver; Abbie Calhoun of St. Joseph; Myrtle Johnson of Belinda; Clara Morrison of Chariton; Messrs. A. G. Boylan of Milo and E. S. Boylan of St. Louis.

Mrs. Boylan had been a devout Christian since the age of fourteen years and lived her Christianity in her daily life. Her highest happiness came in being helpful to others, and her demise is mourned by all who knew her.

Obituary courtesy of Charles M. Wright