BOYER, C. N. AND CORA (JAMES)

by Ona Boyer Warden

Entry F30 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

C.N. Boyer Family 1963. Phlete Warden, Ona, Otto, Helen, Ivan, Erma, Lee,
C.N., Cora receiving the Good Neighbor Award

Charles N. Boyer was born to Robert and
Sarah, February 27, 1884 and moved with his
parents to Cherry County in 1900. They led
a milk cow and brought a few chickens up to
the North Loup River valley. He and his
brother Fielden began earning their living by
working as a team on the 101 ranch and
earned wages normally paid to one man.

Charles married Cora Alice James May 21,
1904 and their children were: Otto, Lee,
Burlin, Ona and Ivan.

They moved twice before moving to the
Stephen James place to care for his parents
until their deaths, while taking care of their
own ranch. In 1928 they built a new house 14
miles north of Mullen. During the early years
freighters stopped for meals and to stay
overnight. Cora never knew how many would
show up to eat, but always had plenty.

The numerous "Sing Songs" and ice cream
socials at the Boyer home drew neighbors
from the surrounding area. Charley sang for
hundreds of funerals and community pro-
grams. He always had a happy outlook. One
year when the crops that looked good were
hailed out in July, he had the family pack a
lunch and went to the celebration the
following day. "Try to make fun out of your
work" he told his family and they found it was
a good philosophy. In April 1963, Charley was
presented the good neighbor award in Mul-
len.

Charles died November 28, 1973 and Cora
on May 15, 1975. Burlin was killed during the
war July 20, 1945; Otto died December 18,
1978. Ivan operated the home place until May
1984 when he sold to Daryl Starr. Ivan passed
away January 26, 1986. Lee married Erma
Elliott in 1934 and ranches in Hooker
County. They had Dwayne, (deceased),
Velma, Larry and Betty. Ona married Phlete
Warden in 1948 and lives 5 miles east of
Mullen. Ivan married Helen Pavlik in 1955
and had Charles (deceased), Ruth, married
to Terry Harp and lives in Valentine and have
2 daughters. Dean married Kaylen Wolfen-
den and lives in Mullen and have two
daughters.