R. C. Boileau

biography

Boileau, R. C., retired merchant. Meadville, was born in Centre County, Penn., December 27, 1810; son of Daniel and Mary (Robinson) Boileau, natives of this State, of French and Irish descent. Daniel was Quartermaster-General in the Revolutionary war. Our subject, the seventh in a family of eight children, grew up in the same town with Gov. Curtin and they were chums together in boyhood. He acquired his education in his native county, and early in life learned the jeweler and watchmaker trade. In 1831 Mr. Boileau came to Meadville, and embarked in the jewelry business, which he carried on for thirty years; was also in the dry goods business for a number of years. He dealt in real estate extensively, and built several business blocks. He has been financially successful, and has accumulated a handsome property. He was married, in 1834, to Harriet W., daughter of Col. Shryock, a native of Hagerstown, Md., and to this union were born nine children, eight attaining maturity: Elizabeth, married G. P. Hosmer, in Lockport, N.Y.; Maria, married to H. H. Thompson, in Bath, N.Y.; Nathaniel, deceased; Polo, in Illinois; Roland C. Jr., in Meadville, Ellen, widow, married to M. D. Newman, in Milford., Penn.: Harriet. married to R. Bard, Ravenna, Ohio; Emma, married to J. H. Culbertson, in Meadville; Marion, youngest daughter, unmarried, being with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Boileau are members of the First Baptist Church in which he has been a Deacon for forty years. He never led a political life.

History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 714-715.