St.
Clair County Obits
JOHN LEWIS BOSWELL
John Lewis Boswell who was born at Collins, St. Clair County Mo.
March 20, 1866 and died at the home place near the location of the
place of his birth on Sunday morning, January 5, 1947 in his 81st
year.
He gave up his life after considerable suffering and pain. During his
short and sudden illness he was attended faithfully and efficiently by
his neighbors. His youngest daughter Mrs. E.F. Graham of Chicago, was
by his side when the end came at 8:15 a.m. His daughter Yola now
living in Washington D.C., had spent the holidays with the home folks
and had returned for only four days when the shocking message arrived.
She was able to get back home, but not before his death. His sudden
passing was a severe shock to those who had seen him so recently
apparently in good health.
Had he lived one more week he and his devoted wife Mrs. Alice Albin
Boswell would have celebrated their 43rd anniversary. They were
married January 12, 1904.
Being born at the close of the Civil War, he has seen and experienced
the hrdships of rebuilding a war torn country which was still rather
new in history.
He loved to stroll across the hills of the old home place with his
daughters telling them stories of the war which had been related to
him by his parents who endured the many ordeals. These stories will
always be cherished memories.
He became a member of the Baptist church at Collins and lived his life
according to the Golden Rule – doing unto others as he would have them
do him. He had convictions and defended them vigorously.
He was the last survivor of the pre-civil war Boswell family who came
to St. Clair county from Tennessee in 1827. They made the arduous trek
by covered wagon drawn by oxen.
When life was over he knew it. He confided to his family that he
wanted to go and was happy about the approach of his final rest.
His greatest sorrow from which he never fully recovered was the death
of his youngest son Ovid, known as Bud or Buddy in the battle of
Okinawa in May 1945.
He is survived by his widow Mrs. Alice A. Boswell; three sons, Sidney
D. of Kansas City; Edmund A. living on the old home place and Sherman
who served as a paratrooper in the Army during the recent war and two
daughters Mrs. E.F. Graham of Chicago and Lola of Washington. He is
survived also by five grand sons and two grand daughters.
His absence will make us sad but his long awaited rest is not to be
mourned. He wanted to go.
As we say farewell we are comforted by the knowledge that he welcomed
this experience and by the fact that he was happy.
Funeral services under the direction of the Osceola Funeral Home were
held in the Coon Creek Baptist church in Collins Tuesday afternoon
with the Rev. Roy Reichert officiating. Burial was in the Robinson
cemetery near Weaubleau.
Submitted by: Stacy Kelly
