William H. Boswell was born near Bradford, Ill., May 18, 1873. He moved to Harrison county, Missouri, when he was a small boy. He chose farming as his life's work and for many years, farmed in that community.

He was married to Susie Flannagan Aug. 15, 1899. Nine children were born to this union. His wife died following the birth of their last child, March 28, 1916. With only the help of his older children, he kept his family together, with the exception of the baby, which was cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Snethen until 1928, when he was reunited with his father and brothers and sisters.

After all but the youngest child were grown, William married Frances Eden, on March 10, 1927. Following their marriage they moved to a farm near Lone Tree, Iowa, later moving back to Missouri. Mrs. Boswell passed away in 1945. Since then, he has made his home with his children.

William Boswell was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was baptized by Albert Loving. He was faithful to his covenant.

His health has failed in the last few years. He became seriously ill at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Barth, only four days before his death. He passed away at the Decatur county hospital Wednesday, Aug. 29, 1956, at 6 p.m., at the age of 83 years, 3 months and 11 days.

Those left to mourn are nine children and their companions. His six sons are Roy and Rufus, of Lamoni; Norm, Alfred, Melvin and William, all of Davis City, Iowa. The three daughters are Mrs. Mae Barth, Blythedale, Mo.; Mrs. Alice Chown, Lamoni; and Mrs. Roma Stock, Iowa City, Iowa. Twenty-nine grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and several brothers and sisters are also left. He was a devoted father to his children, and will be greatly missed by them and all his neighbors and friends who knew him.

Funeral services were held at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Aug 31, 1956, in charge of Elder Jerry C. Runkle, assisted by Elder Willard Moon. Interment was at Rose Hill cemetery at Lamoni.

Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, Thursday, Sept. 6, 1956

MOTHER: Sarah Ann Boswell

FATHER: unclear father relationship

(See #1 below.)

1ST WIFE: Mary Susan Flanagan

m. 15 Aug 1899 - Harrison County, Missouri

CHILDREN:

1. Hosea LeRoy Boswell

m. Elva Deane Osborn

2. Anna May Boswell

m. Roy C. Barth

3. Norman Benjamin Boswell

m. Vera Mae Jones

m. Marjorie Pauline McDaniel

4. John Alfred Boswell

m. Iva Belle Rhodes

5. Melvin Francis Boswell

m. Margaret O'Connor

6. Rufus Roscoe Boswell

m. Vava Ruth Hatcher

7. Alice Carol Boswell

m. Verle Richard Chown

8. Roma Gertrude Boswell

m. Albert Lee Stock

m. Lloyd Freeman Burr

9. William Paul Boswell

m. Lois McDaniel

2ND WIFE: Frances Lillian Gould

m. 1925

FURTHER INFORMATION:

1. In the 1880 census, William was listed as a boarder in the home of John Henry and Christina Cuntine Jordan Snethen, parents of Ananias Snethen. The father on Will's wedding certificate is listed as John Boswell. This John Boswell lived near Mother Sarah at the time of Will's birth. Descendant DNA testing is necessary to clarify parentage.

2. Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1947

Name W H Baswell

Gender Male

Race White

Age 54

Birth Date abt 1873

Birth Place Star County, Ill.

Residence Place Davis City Iowa

Marriage Date 10 Mar 1927

Marriage Place Muscatine, Muscatine, Iowa, USA

Spouse Frances L Eden

Father John Baswell

Mother Sarah Ann

3. 1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Will H Boswell

Age in 1910: 37

Birth Year: abt 1873

Birthplace: Illinois

Home in 1910: Clay, Harrison, Missouri

Race: White

Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Head

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name: Susie Boswell

Father's Birthplace: Illinois

Mother's Birthplace: Illinois

Native Tongue: English

Occupation: Farmer

Industry: Home Farm

Employer, Employee or Other: Own Account

Home Owned or Rented: Own

Home Free or Mortgaged: Mortgaged

Farm or House: Farm

Able to Read: Yes

Able to Write: Yes

Years Married: 10

Out of Work: N

Number of weeks out of work: No

Household Members: Name Age

Will H Boswell 37

Susie Boswell 27

Roy Boswell 10

May Boswell 8

Norm Boswell 7

Alfred Boswell 5

Melvin Boswell 3

Rufus Boswell 1

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Clay, Harrison, Missouri; Roll: T624_778; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0097; FHL microfilm: 1374791