Joseph L. Boden

Joseph L. Boden—Sixty-four years ago, when the only way to reach the present site of Grand Rapids was to follow an Indian trail, two young men, Anthony Boden and William Moorman, having heard of the Grand river country, decided to investigate for themselves, and, with what few personal goods they possessed slung over their shoulders, left Detroit and struck the trail into the wilderness. Several days were consumed in making the journey, until they reached their destination, it being no more than a frontier trading post, where Indians swarmed at the times their annuities were paid. It was even then felt by the inhabitants that a city must arise upon the river at the Grand Rapids.

Anthony Boden found employment as carpenter for ten years, assisting in the building of nearly all the more important edifies of that time. In 1846 he located on a tract of 240 acres in a dense forest, on which, the preceding year, he had erected a small house of hewed planks and sawed lumber. e hired He hired the land cleared, working at his trade meanwhile in the city, and lived on it until about twenty years ago. December 20, 1837, he was united in marriage to Hanora McMahon, who was born in county Cork, Ireland,

Pg 550 but who, when but a young accompanied a sister and brother to Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Boden lived on their farm altogether about thirty years, clearing a considerable part of it, and finally retiring to Grand Rapids, where Mrs. Boden died July 23, 1881, and where his own death occurred November 5, 1891, both being devoted members of St. Andrew’s Catholic church. He was born in 1814, in Derbyshire, England, and in 1830 came, with the family to Wayne county, Mich., where his father, who was a miner, died in 1831. He was an original character and possessed many admirable personal traits. He was esteemed by many who learned to know him in those earlier days. He knew personally every resident in Kent county for many years; though never ambitious himself for public approbation or distinction, he was a firm adherent to those he deemed worthy.

Joseph L. Boden was born in Grand Rapids February 9, 1842, and has passed his life on the old farm almost entirely. As he grew in years and strength, he grew in usefulness in clearing up the place, much of which devolved upon him, his father working constantly at his trade in the city. In 1868 he was placed in full charge, and eventually became owner of the original tract, but has since set apart 100 acres for the use of his son, Anthony J., while remaining part he has devoted to general farming, having cleared up and improved it all. His is now one of the most desirable tracts of land in Paris, being in an advanced state of cultivation and improved with commodious residence and barns. The house, a large, roomy one, stands on an eminence that commands a beautiful view of the attractive country surrounding.

October 28, 1867, Joseph L. Boden married Miss Anna S, Lee, of Paris township, but who was born in Wayne county, Mich., and brought to Paris in 1854, when five years of age, by her parents, Charles H. and Sarah F. (Chase) Lee, who settled on section No. 36, in the southeast corner of the township. On the farm then purchased Mr. Lee passed away at the age of fifty-eight years, and his widow, at the age of sixty-eight, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Eva Woodward, in Caledonia. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boden has resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary A., wife of Timothy Kelly, a thriving livery-man of Grand Rapids, whose two children are named Eileen and Louise; Sarah H., still under the parental roof, and Anthony J., who married Miss Maggie Burns, of Paris, and who is now living on the home farm allotted to him by his father. The family adhere to the Catholic faith and belong to St. Mary’s congregation in Cascade. They are faithful in their duty as members of the congregation, and are ever free in their contributions to its support.

In politics Mr. Boden is an unerring democrat, and has acted as delegate to conventions of his party, including those of the county, district, and state. He has served on the democratic county committee, working hard for the success of the party at the polls. As a citizen, he is considered to be one of the most useful and public spirited in the township, as he stands ever ready to give of his means or influence most freely to the support and promotion of any project designed for the public good; and a farmer he is recognized as one of the most progressive in the county.