SIDNEY E. BOYDEN, Oakland, Pennsylvania.
Among the Erie engineers who dearly love a dog and a gun one who deserves particular mention is Sidney E. Boyden, than whom there is no better shot all along the line of the Erie. Mr. Boyden is particularly fond of hunting deer, and he has a number of trophies that bear mute witness to his skill and unerring aim. The son of Alonzo Boyden, a pioneer farmer of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, who is yet hale and hearty at 89 years of age, Mr. Boyden was born in Milford, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1855. After attending school until he was 16, acquiring above the average of education, he chose farming as his vocation, incidentally lumbering and teaming some. He followed this life for sixteen years, and during the time that the Erie burned wood Mr. Boyden did quite a business with the railroad supplying fuel. In November, 1887, he began his railroad career as a fireman on the Erie between Susquehanna and Hornellsville. He fired for four years, being promoted to engineer in November, 1891, since which time he has been running freight between Susquehanna and Hornellsville. Mr. Boyden's work is of a high order, and he has the confidence of his superiors and the esteem of his brother engineers.
On Christmas Day, 1879, he was married to Miss Frances Tewksbury, of Windsor, New York, who died in June, 1883. One child was born to them, Frank, an intelligent young man of 16, who is very popular with his associates. On May 28, 1884, Mr. Boyden was united in marriage to Miss Ella Austin, daughter of John Austin, of Deposit, New York. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boyden are socially inclined and are very popular in the polite circles of Oakland. Mrs. Boyden is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary to B. of L. E., and the Pocahontas Auxiliary of Susquehanna Red Men. Mr. Boyden belongs to Division 137, B. of L. E. He owns some fine property in Oakland and is one of the most respected citizens of the place.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the June, 1915 issue of Erie Magazine:
Susquehanna Division Engineer S.E. Boyden was commended for running his engine in fast freight service for 28,547 miles between May 29, 1914 and May 8, 1915 without any engine failures.
From the December, 1931 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Susquehanna Division engineer S.E. Boyden, age 77, of Susquehanna, PA, was retired and placed on the special allowance payroll after 43 years, 7 months of service.
From the July, 1934 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Sidney Boyden, retired Erie engineer of 45 years of service, and Mrs. Boyden, observed their golden wedding anniversary May 27 at their home on High Street, Oakland. After dinner, the couple and their guests were entertained with songs by Misses Eleanor and Edith VanHoesen. After their marriage in 1884 the couple began life on a farm near East Great Bend. Mrs. Boyden has been active in church circles and the couple have been good, kindly neighbors.
They have one daughter, Mrs. Vera Graul, who lives with them; one son, Frank Boyden, of West Oakland; two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Guests were: Miss Mary Boyden, Oakland; Charles Austin, Hallstead; Mr. and Mrs. Olin Tuttle and children, Hallstead; William Boyden, Oakland; Mr. and Mrs. S. Townsend, of Oakland; Sam Townsend, Carbondale; Mrs. Laura Edick, Deposit; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Boyden, Francis Boyden, Mrs. Zilpha Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Tompkins and daughter of Oakland.
From the October, 1934 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Sidney Boyden, retired Erie engineer of 45 years service, died at his home on High Street, Oakland, last August (1934). He and Mrs. Boyden had observed their golden anniversary last May.
Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, Frank Boyden of Oakland; two sisters, Miss Mary Boyden and Mrs. Samuel Townsend, and two brothers, George and William Boyden, of Oakland.
A small photo was also published