BOYER, LEE R. AND ERMA (ELLIOTT)
Lee R. Boyer, second of Charles N. and Cora A. Boyer's five children was born in south Cherry County Nebraska May 30, 1908.
He received his education in a rural school nearest their home, at John Fletcher Acad-emy in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska.
May 21, 1934 he was married to Erma L. Elliott, daughter of Leo L. and Lillie E. Elliott.
Erma received her education in Mullen graduating from Hooker County High School in May of 1933. She was a rural teacher at the Hatch school 26 1/2 miles southwest of Mullen in Hooker County for one year.
Beginning in September following their marriage Lee served 3 years as a “Supply Pastor'' for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mullen. During this time he was instru-mental in creating an awareness of the need for a new church building. After establishing a pay as we go policy for this project, enthusiastic cooperation and support came from the entire community. The first brick church structure in Mullen became a reality.
Lee and Erma were blessed with the birth of a son Lee Dwayne on April 27, 1935, but were smitten with sorrow when as a result of a serious illness he passed away March 21, 1936. A second child, Velma Louise was born February 1, 1937.
The Boyers moved the following Septem-ber to serve in the Methodist Church at Pleasant Dale, Nebraska. About six months later when confronted with health problems, Lee was compelled to take the advice of his doctors and change to a different type of work.
After some consideration he decided to try out his ability as a “Turkey Grower''. March 1938 the family purchased an moved to the former Fred Hardy place 5 miles east of Mullen, where they began to work in this venture. Much manual labor was involved in preparing buildings and equipment to ac-commodate turkeys. Walter Lange, his sons Aynor and Bill Lange, Jess Furrow, and Windsor Boyer supervised the building pro-jects as brooder houses and laying houses were constructed. All the painting work was done by Hugh Boyer. Lee's Dad, his brothers, several neighbors and friends helped with the construction work from time to time.
The entire operation became quite a learning experience for these Boyers. Begin-ning with 500 poults in May of that year the production was increased until it reached a capacity of 11,000 turkeys per year. In addition to raising baby turkeys to the proper age to be killed, dressed and packaged for consumer use, the Boyers also kept 1000 turkey hens each year to produce eggs for a hatchery in O'Neill, Nebraska.
While developing the turkey business Lee milked cows and sold cream, bought calves and sold yearlings. He was also mail carrier for the northwest route out of Mullen for sometime, as well as being a substitute carrier for the northeast route and both south routes.
A son Larry Lee was born 1943. The family was growing along with the turkeys.
In 1947 business was expanded by the purchase of a turkey ranch started by John Lowe about 5 1/2 miles southwest of Mullen on the old Hatch place.
1948 a daughter, Betty Leona was born. As Betty was about to reach school age, Lee and Erma realized that they would have one child in kindergarten, one in grade school and one in high school. Since there were no school buses, Erma would be responsible for transporting the children to and from school. At times she could easily find herself making 5 or 6 trips to town in one day to accommo-date the various schedules and activities of the 3 different age groups. Needless to say there would be little time left for her work at home. It was decided that building a home in town might help solve the problem. This was done and they moved in August 1952.
As opportunities came forth additional adjoining land was purchased from the Harding Cattle Company. Then a little later a pasture northwest of Seneca in Hooker County was acquired from J.C. and Jean Warden. Turkey operations were continued at both the east and west ranches until the close of 1962. After a total of 25 years as turkey growers the Boyers changed over to raising cattle the following year, 1963.
When the children became older and the duties at home grew less Erma worked at the “Hooker County Tribune'' office owned by J.C. and Muriel Crosland for a few months prior to accepting a job as clerk at “Dutton's Grocery'' store in 1964. She appreciated working for the Duttons and their partner Leonard Ridenour, and enjoyed her contacts with the numerous customers.
Phlete and Ona Warden purchased the Boyer place east of Mullen in 1965 where they established their home and are still living there.
After a period of 10 years Erma stopped working at the store in 1974 in order to spend more time with her husband and his work. They are still involved with cattle after having pursued this course for the last 25 years.