| Story |
Emma J Boyce worked for TKWM as a dyer between 1907 and 1908.
Emma Jane Bell was born on 20 February 1851 in Nauvoo, Illinois, to Robert Bell, a farmer, and Lavina Bell. Emma had one older sister Eliza, and two younger brothers, Thomas and Benjamin.
On 5 November 1870, Emma married John M. Boyce in Hancock, Illinois. By 1880, the family had relocated to Pleasant Hill in Clackamas County, Oregon, where Emma and John lived with their three daughters, Minnie, Lavina, and Martha. Emma’s elderly parents, Robert and Lavina, also resided with them during this period. Mother Lavina died in November 1882, and Robert followed in January 1892.
While still living in Pleasant Hill, Emma endured great personal loss, as two of her daughters Martha and Minnie, died prematurely. Not long after, Emma, John and remaining daughter Lavina moved to Butteville, Oregon.
In 1905, Emma was listed as living on Lee St. at the southwest corner of 16th St. in Salem, while John was boarding at 18 Court St. By 1907, they were back living together at 1105 Mill St. During this time, Emma worked as a dyer for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and John was employed as a gardener. Emma left the woolen mill before 1910, likely around 1908.
By 1910, Emma, John, and their family had returned to Clackamas County, settling on a farm in Eagle Creek. Granddaughter Minnie lived with them along with two boarders that may have helped with farm duties as John, at age 69, approached retirement.
John passed away on 26 December 1916, at the age of 76 in Eagle Creek. Following his death, Emma moved to Portland to live with her daughter Lavina and son-in-law Charles Masson. Emma remained with them until her passing on 24 May 1938, at the age of 87. She was buried beside John in Eagle Creek. |
| Census |
1860 Emma Bell. Age: 9. Birth: abt 1851 in Illinois. Residence: Hamilton, Hancock, Illinois. Daughter of HOH. Household members: Robert Bell, age 52, HOH; Lavina Bell, age 45, wife; John D. Bell, age 16, daughter; Eliza Bell, age 14, daughter; Sarah A. Bell, age 12, daughter; Emily Bell, age 9, daughter.
1870 Emma Bell. Age: 19. Birth: abt 1851 in Illinois. Residence: Hamilton, Hancock, Illinois. Daughter of HOH. Household members: Robert Bell, age 64, HOH, farmer; Lavinia Bell, age 59, wife; Eliza Bell, age 24, daughter, school teacher; Emma Bell, age 19, daughter; Thomas Bell, age 11, son; Benjamin Bell, age 7, son.
1880 Emma Boyce. Age: 29. Birth: abt 1851 in Illinois. Residence: Pleasant Hill, Clackamas, Oregon. Married to HOH. Household members: John M. Boyce, age 38, HOH, no employment shown; Emma Boyce, age 29, wife; Minnie Boyce, age 8, daughter; Lavina Boyce, age 5, daughter; Martha Boyce, age 2, daughter; Robert Bell, age 73, father-in-law; Lavina Bell, age 68, mother-in-law.
1900 Emma Boyce. Age: 49. Birth: abt 1851 in Illinois. Residence: 1410 Maria St, Butteville, OR. Married to HOH. Married 1870, 30 years. Mother of 3, 1 living. Household member: John M. Boyce, age 59, HOH, farm laborer; Emma J. Boyce, age 49, wife.
1910 Emma J. Boyce. Age: 59. Birth: 1851 in Illinois. Married to HOH. Residence: Eagle Creek Rd, Eagle Creek, Oregon. Married 40 years. Children born 3, alive 1. Household member: John M. Boyce, age 69, HOH, farmer; Emma J. Boyce, age 59, wife; Eliza Case, age 64, sister-in-law; Minnie F. Marrin, age 10, granddaughter; Mary F. Bankson, age 61, boarder; Elton Moehnke, age 22, boarder.
1920 Emma Jane Boyce. Age: 68. Birth: abt 1852 in Illinois. Residence: Milwaukie St, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Widowed mother-in-law of HOH. Household members: Charles Wasson, age 50, HOH, railroad clerk; Levina Wasson, age 43, wife; R. Clifford Wasson, age 22, son; Emma Jane Boyce, age 68, mother-in-law.
1930 Emma J. Boyce. Age: 78. Birth: abt 1852 in Illinois. Mother-in-law to HOH. Residence: 1501 Milwaukie Ave, Portland, Multnomah, OR. Age at first marriage, 19. Household members: Charles Masson, age 60, HOH; Levina Masson, age 54, wife; Emma J. Boyce, age 78, mother-in-law; Minnie Still, age 30, niece; John E. Still, age 9, grandnephew; Virginia Still, age 8, grandniece; Margaret Still, age 6, grandniece. |
