Ruth and Woody's Clan: Laura Boyer McCoskery

Laura G. Boyer McCoskery from Illinois to Montana

Laura Boyer McCoskery was born on May 28, 1892 in Sherman Township, Mason, Illinois. In her first census in 1900, she is 8 years old and the family lives in Sherman Township. Her father, Malain is 32 years old and a farmer. The census also notes that everyone in the family can read and write, including Laura. Her brother Clyde is 14 and sister Stella is 11.

Malain Boyer Family of Illinois about 1900-1904
Stella, Clyde, Mother Lura, Laura and Malain seated

By 1910, the family has moved about 90 miles west to the township of Montebello, Hancock, Illinois on or near the Mississippi River. Malain and Lura are in their early 40s, Clyde is 23, Stella is 21, Laura is 17 and Chester is 2. Malain is a farmer and Clyde's a farmer's helper. The census also records that Lura had 5 children and 4 are living.


Clyde Boyer is on the left. No date or location.

Four years later, on November 29, 1916, Laura married Fred McCoskery in Clay County, Minnesota, which was just down the road from the McCoskery's in Wheatland, ND. I've wondered how Laura, the Illinois native, met Fred, and I stumbled across a newspaper clipping from Fargo, "On Wednesday of this week, Fred McCoskery and Miss Laura Boyer, were quietly married at the home of the bride." She lived in or near Fargo. Maybe her whole family moved there, but there's no record of it.

By 1920, she, Fred, and baby Woody were all in Helena with her brother Clyde and her mother-in-law Margaret. In 1920, her father Malain, mother Lura and brother Chester lived at Lakeside in Montana. One year later, on March 11, 1921, Chester died of kidney failure brought on by measles. He was 13.

Laura's history in Helena is tied up with Fred, which I've already written about. She doesn't show up in the social columns. If Linda, Bob or even Dave have memories they would like to share, I'll post them! I was about four and a half when she died. My memories include a nice feeling and cigar smoke. Not her cigars - Clyde's.