Wayne County Press
Thursday, June 27, 1901

Dr. Richard Lee Boggs died in this city, Wednesday, June 19th, at 12:30 p. m., aged 90 years, 3 months, and 13 days. The doctor was one of the oldest and best known citizens of the county. His health has been failing for nearly a year, and for several months during the winter his death was expected at almost any time, but his robust and vigorous constitution withstood the inroads of age and disease, and for a few weeks it looked as if he might again regain his usual health. He got so that he was able to ride about the city, and seemed to be rapidly recovering, but a week before his death he was seized with a nervous chill, and, instead of recovering, as from former similar attacks, he sank into a condition of unconsciousness, and, after a few short days passed peacefully away. The doctor was ever conscious of his condition, and was prepared to go whenever death's messenger should summon him. He had looked forward with great pleasure to the return of his grandsons from college, on the 15th, and had confidently expressed the opinion that he would not be here on July fourth.

The deceased has been intimately connected with the history and growth of this county for more than sixty years.

Dr. Boggs was born in Nuhlenberg county, Ky., March 6th, 1811. His parents were originally Virginians, and the father, Robert Lee Boggs, was a descendant, on his mother's side, of General Lightfoot Lee, the famous cavalry leader of the Revolution. The mother of the deceased, before her marriage, was Rosa Reynolds, who lived to the ripe age of 96 years. The father of the deceased was at one time a large property owner in Kentucky.

Early in his career the subject of this sketch attended the Louisville Medical College, and was graduated from that institution. Among the instructors at the college at that time was Dr. Gunn, whose work was for many years famous as a formerly guide. A nephew of Dr. Boggs is now an instructor in this same college, and his grandson, John D. Boggs, is studying there, preparatory to becoming a physician. The Doctor came to Illinois in 1837, and first located in Carmi. He remained there only a few months before going to Grayville where he remained about a year. From Grayville he came to Fairfield, in 1839 or 1840, and has been a resident of this city ever since. The county was thinly settled at that time, and it is doubtful if it contained over 1,000 inhabitants. From the start the Doctor enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. His acquired knowledge, coupled with his excellent judgment and hard common sense, made him not only a successful physician, but the natural adviser and counsellor of his fellow men. April 24th, 1842, he was united in marrige with Sarah A. Wright, at that time, one of the most highly accomplished young ladies in the State. The father of the bride, David Wright, had moved here from New Jersey, in 1816, and for many years he ran a store, a grist mill, a tannery, and a cotton gin, besides giving attention to his farm, on which he lived, about three miles southeast of this city. His daughter was sent to St. Vincent Academy in Kentucky, to be educated, and on her return, she taught school in a small building close to her father's home, until she was married to Dr. Boggs. To them were born three sons, Justice C. C. Boggs and O. W. Boggs, both residents of this city, and Charles Boggs, deceased. Soon after the birth of the youngest son, O. W. Boggs, the mother died, in 1849, aged 28 years, and the doctor's sons were taken by their grandparents. David and Mrs. Wright, and brought up on the farm near this city, before mentioned. In the year 1854, the deceased was united in marriage with Louise J. Koontz, who departed this life in December, 1899, and to them were born three children, Wreath, Clarence, and Rose A. The first two died in infancy, and the third, Rose A. Murphy, is married and lives in Harvey, Illinois.

Besides the children and grandchildren named above, the deceased also leaves two brothers, Robert Boggs, who resides in Muhlenberg county, Ky., and Young Boggs, who resides at Valley, Ky., and a sister, Mrs. Phoebe Drake, also a resident of Muhlenberg county, Ky.

About 1856 the doctor engaged in mercantile business at Zenia, the business being conducted by others. The venture was an expensive one and cost him the greater portion of the property which he had accumulated. About fifteen years ago the deceased retired from the active practice of his profession, and since that time has made his home with one or the other of his sons, or boarded at the house of a friend as best suited his pleasure. For two years he has made his home with the family of Capt. J. H. Hodges, at whose residence he was when he died. He was always of a kind and generous disposition, and he idolized ont only his children but all his grandchildren, with all of whom he was always "Doctor Pa." In his vigorous manhood he provided well for his family, and was generous to a fault with his friends, and in his declining years his every want was anticipated and provided for, and the tenderest attention given by his children.

The funeral services were conducted from the home of Justice C. C. Boggs, Friday morning, at 9:30 o'clock, and, at the request of the deceased, were quite simple. Before his death the Doctor had directed how the service should be conducted, and his wishes were carried out. The services were conducted by Rev. Taylor, of the First Presbyterian church, and, at the especial request of the deceased, an address was delivered by Capt. J. H. Hodges.