Was Pioneer of Riley Township

HENRY BOSS CAME TO THIS COUNTY WITH PARENTS IN YEAR 1855

The following sketch of the life of Henry Boss, late of Riley Township, was prepared by G. F. Ottmar, who had known Mr. Boss for over forty years:

Henry Boss was born October 3, 1854, in the state of New York. He was the son of Ami and Sophia Boss who came to Riley Township from New York State in 1855, when Henry was one year old. They settled on a farm on section eight and began clearing the farm. When Henry was but seven years old his mother passed away. His father then moved the family back to New York State. After a few years his father remarried and at once moved back to the old farm in Riley. Here the subject of this sketch remained and grew to manhood and purchased a farm on section ten. After the death of his father he moved to the homestead and remained there until twenty-four years ago when he sold this farm and moved to Watertown, where he lived until his death.

On March 30 1879, he was married to Dora Miller of Watertown, who cheered him on while they were young and trying to clear the farm, and ever sharing his trials and hardships. In later years, when misfortunes were his lot, she was his comforter and support. She tenderly cared for him and nursed him however hard the task was, without a murmur of complaint. This union was blessed with two sons, Leon and Carlton both living on the homestead.

About ten years ago Mr. Boss suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never fully recovered. Two years ago he was attacked by another stroke which left him an invalid and he was a constant care until the end. On May 27 life’s dissolution drew valley and shadow of death was illuminated by his consciousness of well-spent life and the hope of a glorious immortality.

While Mr. Boss was not a member of any lodge he was a firm believer in the “Fellowship of Man” for when you had added him to your list of friends he remained as long as you were true to him. Honesty and uprightness were some of his virtues. He was not a member of any church but a firm believer in God, and a great student of His open book, the Great Out-of-Doors, as revealed to him in the expression of the landscape, the orchards, the forest, and flowers, the birds in the air and the fishes in the sea. After his boys were old enough to relieve him of the laborious duties of the farm he spent much of his spare time with his God in the open. He would often camp in Northern Michigan, and fish and hunt where nature was unmolested and His handiwork found expression untarnished. There he would enjoy himself to the fullest measure. Only a few days before his transition he expressed the hope that it would warm up so he could go north among the lakes. His demise is mourned by his widow, Leon Boss and family and granddaughter Evelyne, Carlton Boss and one brother, Dr. Dill Boss of Wacousta, and a host of old neighbors and friends. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at his late home, Rev. Crawford of Wacousta officiating. Interment in the Wacousta cemetery.