Joseph Augustin Boyer 1859-1891
Augustin Boyer was born on Saturday, 12 March 1859, in Lacolle, Québec; his father, Toussaint, was 30, and his mother, Beatrice Gagnon, was 29. Augustin is baptized Joseph Augustin Boyer at St-Barnard Catholic church in St-Barnard de Lacolle, a few kilometers west of Lacolle, St-Jean, Québec. His Godparents are Martin Gagnon, an Uncle (mother’s brother), and Marie Phoebe Boyer, his Aunt (father’s sister).
He is the sixth of eleven children born to Toussaint and Beatrice. Augustin has two older sisters, and a third had died a few years earlier at the age of two. When he was born, his oldest brother was already eleven, the other just two. Over the next twelve years, he would have four more younger sisters and another brother when he was ten.
In the Canadian census records, he is always referenced as Augustin. While growing up in Lacolle, he works as a farmer with his father and older brothers. It appears that Augustin changed his name when he moved to Marinette, Wisconsin. The first time we see him go by the first name “George” is in the 1880 United States census in Marinette, Wisconsin. There is a marriage record and children’s birth records after this time when he uses his real name Augustin.
Early Childhood
George grew up on a farm in rural southern Québec just a few miles north of the United States border with 11 brothers and sisters. The farm was located northeast of St Barnard of Lacolle. George is the sixth child and third son of Toussaint and Beatrice Boyer. Etienne is the oldest child and appears to stay on with his parents and farms with their father for the rest of his life. Next are three sisters, the oldest Beatrice named after her mother and next younger Eudasie Doctis (sp); they stay on the family farm until their early twenties. The third daughter Marie Malvina died at the age of 2. His next older brother Toussaint is two years older than George. The two of them set out for Wisconsin in the mid to late 1870s, and Toussaint is living with George and his family in Marinette, Wisconsin, in 1880. It appears Toussaint makes a short trip back to the family farm and is recorded in the Canadian 1881 census but is back in Wisconsin in 1882, getting married and going by the name of Charles T Boyer. George’s younger siblings are four sisters, two years younger Maria Domithilde, five years younger Elise, Angeline eight years younger, and Marie Josephine, twelve years younger. There are ten years between him and his little brother, Hormisdas.
Keeping track of the names. George is baptized as Joseph Augustin Boyer, Charles is baptized as Joseph Toussaint Boyer, and Esther Bezio is baptized as Anastacia Bisaillon. Harry is baptized as Armidos Boyer. Frank is baptized as Xavier Francis Boyer.
Marriage
Census and Directory records list George as a Blacksmith while living in Marinette. He married Esther Bezio (baptized Anastacia Bisaillon) on 26 November 1878 in Marinette Wisconsin. She was born in Feb 1862 or 10 May 1861, in Malone, New York, and died on 16 May 1923 in Sheboygan Wisconsin. Her body is brought by train back to Marinette for Calling. She is buried on 19 May 1923 at the Forest Home Cemetery Plot Y-73-3-7. She is the daughter of Edward Bisaillon (Bezio) and Rosana Gadois. The 1870 New York census record has her as Esther, but her marriage and children’s birth records list her as Anestasia Bisaillon.
George and Esther most likely knew each other growing up as children but did not get married until George (Augustin) arrives in Marinette Wisconsin. Both families have the same timeline and live in same places as they move south from Montreal in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Esther’s grandparents are Amable Bisaillon and Marie Boyer. George’s family is just north of the US border in Lacolle and Esther’s is in upstate New York in Malone. Her father goes back and forth across the Canadian and US border to find work. While both of Esther’s parents were born in Canada, all the children are born in New York except her younger brother Edward Jr, in Canada and the two youngest sisters born in Marinette, Wisconsin
The Bezio’s move back and forth across the border to find work in the area. Around this time many families leave the area to find work. Most of the farms in the area have been in the family for several generations. As the parents pass away and divide up the land between surviving male heirs the size of the farms become smaller and less profitable. There is also a loss of timber in the area as more and more are being cut for lumber and paper as well as clearing for farming.
Esther and her family move to Marinette, Wisconsin, around 1875, presumably to find work. Over the next 15 years Marinette will grow by over 400% because of the logging industry, box makers, and paper mills. George and his brother Toussaint arrive in Marinette about 1877. George is a blacksmith, and his brother is a laborer.
George and Esther get married on 26 November 1878, in Marinette under their given names of Augustin Boyer and Anestacia Bisaillon.
According to the city directory, they live in town on Oak St, second house east side of Oakes south of Sherman.
Bird’s eye view of Marinette, Wisconsin 1880
Catholic Church in Marinette
The history of Catholicism in the Marinette area reaches back to the mid-nineteenth century when Masses were celebrated at private residences or on boats in the harbor. The presiders were visiting priests who traveled from town to town in the area. In 1868, Our Lady of Lourdes was founded, and a small church was built on Water Street. This building was destroyed in the fire of 1871, but a new larger structure was built in 1873.
St. Joseph Church. On 4 September 1888, Fr. Joseph F. Durin was appointed by the bishop to care for the French-speaking parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes. This was the official beginning of St. Joseph Church in Marinette. In January 1892, there were 360 persons on the church rolls when the construction of St. Joseph’s Church was completed. This is the second of the four Catholic churches which was retained by Holy Family Parish as one of its worship sites.
Children of George and Esther
Olivia Boyer
After a little less than ten months of marriage, they have a daughter baptized as Olivia, born Wednesday 4 September 1879 in Marinette, Wisconsin, and baptized at Our Lady of Lourdes by Father Jnoeu Brady. Parents: Augusine Boyer and Anastasice Balssaillon. Godparents: Eduard (Edward) and Rosalie (Rosa) Bissaillon. (Esther’s brother and sister) (Combine Parish Records fiche 1875-1883, page 46 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings).
She is listed as Livina according to the 1880 census, a family name on Esther’s side of the family. In the 1885 Wisconsin census, they enumerated as 4 males and 1 female. This would indicate that Lavina has passed away by then. There is also supporting evidence in the 1900 census when it states that she had 13 children and 11 are living. It turns out that she died on Friday 31 December 1880 at sixteen months old (cause unknown no death record) and was buried on Saturday 1 January 1881 at an unknown cemetery (Death fiche 1877-1918, page 23 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings).
George Joseph Boyer Jr
George Joseph Jr is baptized on Monday, 21 March 1881, at Our Lady of Lourdes by Father Jnoeu Brady. Parents: George Boyer and Anastasice Bissaillon. Godparents: Horace and Rosalie (Rosa) Herbert (Ebare) (Esther’s sister and her husband). (Combine Parish Records fiche 1875-1883, page 69 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings).
George Jr married Helen Mary Marineau (b. 5 August 1878 St Paulin, Québec) Tuesday 27 May 1902 in Marinette and has one son Clarence Joseph Boyer born 3 November 1903 in Marinette. He died on 21 June 1961 at the age of 79 in Marinette and was buried on 23 June 1961. His wife died nineteen years earlier, on 17 July 1942. They are buried together at Forest Home Cemetery Marinette Wisconsin Plot: Y-68-1-2. Their Son Clarence Joseph Boyer is buried next to them on 11 January 1969, plot Y-68-1-1.
WWI Draft Registration – Medium height, medium build, dark eyes, and dark hair.
Frank Joseph Boyer
Frank Joseph Boyer born 17 Dec 1882 in Marinette. He is baptized as Francis Xavier Boyer on 24 December 1882 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church by unknown. Parents listed as George Boyer and Anastasia Bisaillon; Godparents: Boyer and Celiia Laughou. (Combine Parish Records fiche 1875-1883, page 92 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings)
He marries Bertha Marie Villeneuve (b.1887 – ) on 10 Aug 1904 at St Joseph Catholic Church. They have five children: Arthur M (1905-1972), Roy James (1906-1973), Lillian (1909-1911), Violet Elizabeth (1912-1989), and Wilfred J (1915-1982).
WWII Draft Registration; Employer – Hudson Sharp Machine Company, 1207-01 Main St Green Bay, Wisconsin | house is no longer standing replaced by an apartment building; Race White; Eyes Brown; Hair Gray; Complexion Light; Height 5’4″ 1/2; Weight 212. Age 59. Interesting, his WWI Draft Registration has him as tall, stout, brown eyes and dark hair.
Harry Francis Boyer
Harry Francis (my great grandfather) is born on 16 September 1884 in Marinette (Wisconsin, births and christening index 1801-1928). He is baptized as ARMIDAS Boyer at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Parents listed as George Boyer and Aniacatia Bisaion. The Godparents are Toussaint and Domithilia Boyer (George’s brother and sister) By Father John Fox. (Combine Parish Records fiche 1883-1887, page 125Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings).
Harry marries Katherine M Benoit (b. 1884 Oconto – d.1959 Rockford, IL) on 26 February 1906 (Wisconsin Marriages, pre-1907 vol2, page469). They have six children. The first five are born in Marinette; Harriet Victoria (b. 7 January 1907-d. 18 May 1917 Marinette Forest Home Cemetery plot T-6-52), Dorothy Esther (b. 10 March 1908-d. 1987 Rockford, IL), Alfred Joseph, my grandfather (b. 7 December 1913-d. 1988 Milwaukee, WI), Catherine Mary (b. 16 January 1916-d. 1919 Rockford, IL), Francis Joseph (b. 4 October 1917-d. 1992 Rockford, IL), and Kenneth Felix (b. 1921 Rockford, IL-d. 1970 Rockford, IL). The family moved to Rockford, IL, around 1919.
The last record for Marinette is Harry’s WWI Draft registration on 12 September 1918; it states that he lives at 1134 Minneapolis Street, is a box maker working for Brown Mitcheson Co. on 908 State St. His physical description is height – short, build – medium, eyes – brown, and hair – black.
Elizabeth Boyer
Elizabeth “Lizzie” born on 27 January 1886 in Marinette and baptized 31 January 1886 Marinette, Wisconsin, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church; by Father Joseph J Fox; parents: George Boyer and Enestisia Baziyon; Godparents: John Rock (unknown maybe family friend) and Josephine Lapine (wife of Charles T Boyer) (Combine Parish Records fiche 1883-1887, page 157 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings).
It does not appear that she ever married for her headstone, reads Elizabeth Boyer. She moved to Long Lake, WI, sometime before 1935 and died 15 March 1967 at 81. She is buried at Long Lake Cemetery plot Sec 2, Row 6.
Esther Pauline Boyer
Anastacia “Esther” was born 10 pm 16 September 1887 in Marinette, WI according to her birth record. She is baptized as Anastasia Boyer on 2 October 1887. Father JH Durin performed the service. Parents: George Boyer and Anastasia Bizaillon; Godparents: David Letehet and Adeline Bizaillon (Esther’s sister). (Baptism fiche 1887-1892, page 2 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings)
She married Charles Peter Sawyer on 20 September 1909 in Iron Mountain, Mich. In 1910 they are living in Wausaukee, WI. They have five children; Irene (1906-), Raymond George (1908-1980), Doris Mary (1910-1999), Hazel Elizabeth (1912-2001), and Joseph Donald (1915-2010). The first two are the only ones that may have ties to Marinette. They both appear to be born before Esther was married.
Esther and Charles lived in Rockford, Illinois, during the 40s and 50s. She passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 26 February 1962.
Arthur Edward Boyer
Arthur Edward was born on 3 March 1889 in Marinette, Wisconsin (Wisconsin, Births and Christenings Index, 1826-1908). He was baptized at St Joseph Catholic Church on 17 March 1889; Parents: George Boyer and Anastacia Bizaillon; Godparents ? Landry and Marie Bissaillon. (Baptism fiche 1887-1892, page 16 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings)
Arthur’s life is cut short, dying just eight months later, on 14 November 1889. The cause of death is listed as teething. Death record lists Forest Home Cemetery as his place of burial. (Vol 1, page 77, reel 54, image 2422, sequence 37363)
Joseph Boyer
Joseph is born in Marinette on 24 August 1891 and is baptized at St Joseph Catholic Church on 30 August 1891; Parents G Boyer and Anastasia Bizaillon; Godparents: Frank Benville and Delia Bizoillon (Esther’s sister and her husband). (Baptism fiche 1887-1892, page 63 Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings)
This date of birth comes from a military application for a military grave marker, WWI Draft Registration card and is supported by census ages. I have him living in Marinette until the 1920 census. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery with his brother Harry in Rockford, Illinois. Joseph is given an Honorary Discharge from the army on 2 August 1918 because of a bad ankle and his mother is dependent on him. His grave marker paper work is signed for by his sister Esther Sawyer also living in Rockford, Illinois.
He is the last child of George and Esther Boyer. Based on his 5 June 1917 WWI Draft Registration form he is 26 years old, single, not employed and described as short height, medium build, brown eyes, dark hair not bald and he has an ankle issue.
Death
George dies on Monday 30 November 1891, just 3 months after the birth of his son Joseph, in Marinette, Wisconsin at the young age of 32 years old, leaving Esther with 6 children under the age of 11 years old. The cause of death was listed as congestion of the brain due to typhoid fever. George’s funeral was on Thursday 3 December 1891 and he is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Marinette, Wisconsin. The cemetery is located just a few miles south of their home on Oak Street.
Wisconsin Deaths, 1820-1907 Volume 01, Page 0199, Reel 054, image 2992, sequence 037367
The Eagle, Marinette Wisconsin, 5 December 1891, page 8
(Diocese of Green Bay Archives holdings)