William "Irwin" Boyer
William "Irwin" Boyer ( His middle name occasionally would appear as Erwin ) was born in Newark, New Jersey more than 132 years ago on December 9th, 1886 to his Father, Serenus, and Mother, Lena Boyer.
** Interesting events that occurred around the World during Mr. Boyer's birth year of 1886 included...
• On January 5th, 1886 "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" written by Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson is published by Longmans, Green & Co.
• Between February 6th and February 9th, 1886 anti-Chinese sentiments result in riots in Seattle, Washington. Known as the "Seattle riot of 1886" the dispute arose when a mob affiliated with a local Knights of Labor chapter formed small committees to carry out a forcible expulsion of all Chinese from the city... Violence erupted between the Knights of Labor rioters and Federal troops ordered to the city by President Grover Cleveland. The incident resulted in the removal of more than 200 Chinese people from Seattle and left 2 militia men and 3 rioters seriously injured.
• On July 3rd, 1886 in Germany, Karl Benz drives the first automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen.
• On August 31st, 1886 the Charleston South Carolina earthquake occurs with an estimated magnitude of 7.0. The quake kills 60 people, damages more than 2000 buildings and costs nearly six million dollars.
• On October 7th, 1886 Spain abolishes slavery in Cuba.
• On October 28th, 1886 the Statue of Liberty in the New York harbor is dedicated by 22nd United States President Grover Cleveland.
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William was the eldest of two children born to his Mother and Father. He had a Sister, Adeline Emma who is born on September 4th, 1894.
By 1910 William now 23 is employed as an electrician at a wax factory and still lives with his family in Newark, New Jersey. Soon after this census was taken William will begin a 20 year career as a stone cutter.
On June 5th, 1917 William fills out his draft card as the United States enters the First World War. He writes that at the time he is unemployed and caring for both his Mother and Father. However William also indicates that he has previous military experience as a Second-Class Apprentice in the United States Navy.
Ultimately William would join the United States Army during the Great War and is soon stationed in France.
While serving overseas William would meet Josephine Marchal a native of La Broque, Bas-Rhin a commune in Northeastern France... After the wars conclusion and his service ends William temporarily returns to the French Nation in November of 1919 and through passport applications and ship manifests we have the ability to follow a uniquely personal journey that culminates with William and Josephine's marriage on January 21st, 1920 in Paris !! By this time William was 34 and his new bride Josephine Boyer 31..
The Boyers leave Havre, France aboard the SS La Touraine six days after their wedding on January 27th, and arrive in the New York harbor on February 7th, 1920.
The Boyer's were about to begin their new lives together... In America !!!
When the couple first arrive in the United States they live together in Williams hometown of Newark, New Jersey before relocating to Gibsonton, Florida which is just to the Southeast of the city of Tampa... In the golden days of American carnival, all roads led to Gibsonton... The self-defined, 14,900-inhabitant town became the industry capital. “Carny Town” was a fabled place where everyone had run away with the circus !!
The couple who never had children lead a quiet life in the Sunshine State before illness entered their lives in and around 1930. We find a small clue in a single sentence from a newspaper mention of William being hospitalized in the state of Illinois on June 8th, 1934.
Nearly two years later on Monday June 1st, 1936 at the age of 49 years, 5 months, and 23 days William would pass away after a long battle with leukemia...
William Irwin ( Erwin ) Boyer ... Beloved Husband, Son, and Patriotic Veteran of the First World War..