by Alva Boman (edited for continuity by Gary Lee Walker)
John William Boman was born on April 10, 1861 in Richmond, Utah. He was the son of Hyrum W. and Hannah Wilson Boman. They came to Utah in 1857, first settling in Whites Fort, now known as West Jordan. In 1860, they came to Cache Valley, settling in Richmond; hence, John William Boman was among the early settlers of Richmond. He was born in a log room with dirt floors, never knowing what it was like to have a pair of shoes until he was 15 years old.
He married Fannie Elizabeth Brower on December 13, 1883. Their early married life was lived in Richmond, where he was engaged in faming, brickwork, saw milling, threshing of grain. In 1894, they moved to Lewiston, known then as Poverty Flat, where the sands blew and the water was scarce. But he was not discouraged. He was progressive, and few men were harder workers or more ambitious. He had a wonderful companion in Fannie Boman. They worked and planned together. They were truly “Giants of the Earth.” When they built anything, they built it well, artistically and beautifully. They were not afraid to work for what was right.
They raised a large family, 14 children. He was a good provider, always believing in having an extra supply on hand. He had a generous heart, although somewhat stern and harsh at times. He was honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
Brother and Sister Boman were very active in church activities. Indeed, they were missionaries of the Gospel; there was hardly a time when both did not hold responsible positions in all auxiliaries. In the year 1903, John William Boman was called on a mission to the Northwestern States. At that time there were 13 children at home, the youngest being nine months old. It was Fannie Boman who organized this large family into a working group to till the 830 acres of land mostly by hand, as tractors and modern machinery were unheard of at that time. In order to support her husband in the mission field, it was necessary for her to take into her home a school teacher to board; also, her aged mother came to live in the home. This was an enormous task and obligation, but Sister Boman was the kind of woman who never shirked a responsibility. She had time, however, to help her neighbors if there was trouble or illness, and she was among the first to go and render service.
In their later life, Brother Boman was called again into the mission field. This was a short-term mission into the Southern States, Atlanta Georgia being the headquarters. Again, Sister Boman remained at home. But during the time he was away preaching the Gospel, she was doing the same thing at home in her Ward and among her family. They both had strong testimonies of the Gospel. They taught the Gospel to their children, teaching them the value of prayer.
Brother and Sister Boman lived to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary in December, 1933. All of their children gathered to their home to honor them.
John William Boman passed away on November 10, 1936, at the age of 75. Fannie Boman passed away six years later on December 20, 1942, at the age of 76. I remember her very well and was privileged to offer the closing prayer at her beautiful and impressive funeral.
Both were Cache Valley’s and Lewiston’s most highly respected pioneers.
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