Biography of Deacon John A. Boyer
Deacon John A. Boyer, born October 16, 1809, in Pennsylvania, settled in Rock Island County in 1837 and married Zeruiah Phillips in 1838. The couple, childless but devoted, raised Thomas Campbell as their own. Baptized in the Mississippi River, Boyer became a foundational figure in the First Baptist Church, serving as deacon and trustee for over thirty years. He contributed significantly to the church’s growth and stability. A Republican turned Democrat, he also held local political positions and was active in Masonic and community organizations. Boyer died on December 5, 1891, in Los Angeles.