History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 93 - 95

ELISHA M. BOYNTON

A very large percent of those who have attained prominence in this country were born and reared upon the farm. From the woods, the fields and meadows they entered upon careers of usefulness which in very many instances culminated in placing some of them in the most exalted positions in the nation. Life in the woods, in the clearing and in the fields brings the youth in much closer touch with nature than does any other calling and, when imbued with ambition to rise above his surroundings, the lessons of industry he has learned, the knowledge of nature he acquired and the self-confidence which farm life gives are splendid aids in gratifying his ambition. But a very large majority of the youths who are born and reared upon the farm choose to remain there, and although they may be charged with lack of ambition, and accused of "hiding their light under a bushel," who shall say that their lives have not been as happy, as worthy or as useful to the world as their more ambitious neighbors who have climbed well up the ladder of fame and whose names have emblazoned the pages of history. The subject of this article, Elisha M. Boynton, of Greenwood township, is one of those who preferred to continue his life on the farm rather than engage in other pursuits, even though more profit might be realized thereby. He was born near Plattsburg, New York, October 29, 1843. His parents were Elijah and Polly (Hazen) Boynton, he a native of New York and she of Vermont. They settled near Plattsburg, New York, on a farm, where they continued, to reside until their death. He died in 1846, at the age of sixty-seven years, while she died a number of years later, being seventy years old at the time of her death. They were the parents of four children, one son and three daughters. The son is Elisha M., the subject of this review, who was the third child of the family. Until reaching the age of thirteen he resided on the old home farm near Plattsburg, and then moved to Clinton county, New York, where he remained until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In October, 1861, Mr. Boynton enlisted in the United States service as a private soldier, a member of Company M, Ninth New York Cavalry. He served with his regiment eighteen months, taking part in many important engagements, when he was discharged and returned to Clinton county. After devoting a few months to rest and recreation, he again enlisted, this time in Company H, Second New York Veteran Cavalry, and served with that regiment until long after the close of the Civil war. November 8, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and again returned to Clinton county, where he took up his old vocation, that of a farmer, and continued to prosper. In the spring of 1879, having been impressed with the possibilities of a life in central Michigan, he moved to Montcalm county and readily secured employment in the woods, logging and lumbering. He followed this vocation in Montcalm county until the autumn of 1884, when he came to Wexford county and settled on a tract of forty acres of wild land, a part of section 35, Greenwood township. It is the same piece of land on which he now resides, but a vast change has taken place in the appearance which it presented then. About thirty of its acres have been thoroughly cleared of wood and stumps and for many years the farm has been splendidly cultivated. The land is fertile and productive and each year the subject has been gratified by garnering in satisfactory crops. His farm buildings are all that could be desired large, substantial and conveniently arranged. It is a most comfortable home and the returns from the little farm, in stock and crops, furnish them each year a snug income. December 9, 1867, Elisha M. Boynton was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Dundlas, a native of New York, born in Clinton county, May 4., 1845. She is the daughter of James and Jane (Doran) Dundas, residents of Clinton county. New York. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton are the parents of ten children, four of whom died early in life. Those living are, Eugenie, John, Herbert. Mable, Harvey and Ada. The children are all intelligent, possessed of a fair education and have been schooled in habits of industry which cannot fail to make them capable an ( l useful. During his residence of nineteen years in Greenwood township Mr. Boynton has been actively interested in all public affairs, particularly those relating to that section of the county wherein he resides. He served as highway commissioner a number of times and was school inspector several years. At the present time he occupies the position of justice of the peace and township) treasurer. While his life has been an exceedingly active one, largely devoted to patient toil, it has been by no means devoid of happiness. Many a man whose possessions are many fold greater than his has known but a very small part of the contentment and pleasure that has come to Elisha M. Boynton during the various stages of his career. He is a good man, who has lived a worthy life, and goodness, equal with virtue, is its own reward.