BIOS: Solomon W. BOUCHER, Milford, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 276-278

  Solomon W. Boucher, a prosperous agriculturist and esteemed citizen of 
Milford, was born in this township on November 3, 1830, son of Henry, third, and 
Elizabeth (Wright) Boucher. 
  The immigrant ancestor of the family, Henry Boucher, born in Lorraine, of 
French parentage, came to this country about the middle of the eighteenth 
century, and settled near Philadelphia.  His descendents have retained the 
original spelling of the family name, though the pronunciation has been 
Anglicized.  His son, Henry, second, grandfather of Solomon W., was born in 
Berks County, Pennslyvania, [sic] whence he came to Milford.  He died here about 
1830.  He was a member of the Lutheran church.
  Henry Boucher, third, born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, was a farmer by 
occupation.  He settled in Milford township prior to 1830, and lived here until 
his death in 1875, aged seventy-two years.  He was prominent in local affairs 
and a consistent member of the Christian church.  His wife, Elizabeth, was the 
daughter of Samuel Wright and one of a family of ten children.  Her immigrant 
ancestor, who was of English Quaker stock, came from England, and settled in 
what is now Middle Creek township, Pa.  He met his death by falling from a 
ladder.  Henry and Elizabeth (Wright) Boucher had twelve children, of whom six 
are still living; namely, Samuel, Henry, Aaron, Hannah, Isaiah, and Solomon W.  
Samuel is a prominent citizen of Murphysboro, Jackson County, Ill.  Henry is a 
resident of the same place.  Isaiah is engaged in farming near Grantsville, Md.  
Hannah, wife of S. P. Geiger, resides in Oklahoma.  
  The youngest child Solomon W. Boucher, special subject of this sketch, 
received his education in the common schools of Milford.  He remained on the 
farm with his father until he attained his majority.  The succeeding four years 
he was engaged in mercantile business in Lower Turkey Foot township, the first 
year alone and the rest of the time in partnership with Jesse Hyatt, under the 
firm name of Boucher & Hyatt.  Selling out to his partner, he purchased, in 
company with David F. Shaff, the farm on which he has since resided.  Four years 
later he bought Mr. Shaff's interest, and is now the sole owner.  The farm 
contains two hundred and twenty-two acres, and he is successfully engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising.
  On February 5, 1851, Mr. Boucher was united in marriage with Mary Ann, 
daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Cramer) Shaff.  The Shaffs and the Cramers 
are both of German descent.  Her paternal grandfather, Samuel Shaff, born in 
Germany, married Frances Frederick of Pennsylvnia.  Her brothers and sisters 
were captured when young by the Indians, who killed all but a brother and 
sister, whom they carried away.  The brother was never heard from, but the 
sister was reared by her captors and married an Indian chief.  After her 
marriage she made a visit to her girlhood home, but again returned to her tribe 
and family.  Mrs. Shaff was away from home at the time of the raid and so 
escaped capture.
  Mr. and Mrs. Boucher are the parents of ten children, of whom eight are 
living.  The record is as follows: Alice, wife of Wallace McMillan, resides in 
McCook, Neb.; Adeline, a teacher of twenty years' experience is now teaching at 
Confluence, Somerset County, Pa.; Ellen, who was formerly engaged in teaching, 
is at home; Henry C., who lost his hearing at three years of age and with it the 
power of speech, was placed in the Institution for Deaf and Dumb in 
Philadelphia, after which he entered Kendall Green College of Deaf-mutes in 
Washington, D.C., and was about to graduate therefrom when he died in 1889; 
Rosetta died at the age of five years; Michael Grant, who has been a teacher, is 
now with his father; John C. is attending Cotner University, in Lincoln, Neb.; 
Charles Wallace lives at home; Maud Muller, a graduate of the Indiana State 
Normal School, class of 1896, is a teacher; David S. is a student of the State 
Normal School, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
  In political views Mr. Boucher is a Republican.  He is serving his fourth year 
as Supervisor, and was formerly a School Director.  He is a member of the Church 
of God, which he served as Deacon several years.  Mrs. Boucher and family are 
members of the Christian church.