He comes of an old Kentucky family, who were pioneers of that State, and his paternal grandfather, John boston, was born there, Jessamine County being his birthplace, and there he was reared to the life of a farmer. He married and reared a family of children, and died in the home of his nativity at the venerable age of ninety-five years. His son, Anthony, father of our subject, was brought up on the Kentucky homestead, where he first saw the light of day, and was married in the county of his birth to Miss Louisa, daughter of James Stephenson, and soon after marriage in 1836, they came to Illinois and located in Cass County among its pioneers. They resided there until 1856, and then removed to Jacksonville to pass their declining years, where the father died in 1881, at the ripe old age of seventy-two years. The mother is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Bacon, and she is now seventy-three years old. Mr. Boston was a man of fine physique, possessing a sound constitution, and had vigorous health until within a short time before his demise. He was a member of the Baptist Church for many years, and died strong in the faith. Mrs. Boston also united with that church many years ago, and is still a consistent member. To this worthy couple the following children were born: James W., Mary A., now Mrs. William Patterson; Jacob; John W.; Robert, deceased; George E. died in 1881; Martha C. married James L. Dyer, and died in Kansas; Frances L., now Mrs. Andrew Bacon; A. Judson; and Charles C.

Their son, Jacob, was reared on the homestead that had been his birthplace, and was educated in the public schools of Cass County. He was carefully trained in agricultural pursuits by his father, who was a skillful and successful farmer, and on arriving at years of discretion, chose that occupation as the one by which he could best make a living, and the years that have since ensued, have justified the wisdom of his choice, as he is now one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of his community. He has a fine farm of 105 acres of as fertile and highly productive land as is to be found in this precinct, and it is all under good cultivation, and has many valuable improvements. He has not always lived here, however, since leaving his native county. In 1865 he bought a farm in Menard County, having lived prior to that time for a few years in Morgan County. He resided on this Menard County property until 1870, then returned to Morgan County. After staying here one year, he went to Missouri, and thence to Kansas, near Kansas City, where he remained a year. In 1876 he came back to Illinois, and bought his present farm in Morgan County, and has since been a valued resident of this township.

Mr. Boston is in every respect a good and law abiding citizen, who has at heart the highest interests of his native State, and of the community where he now lives, and for that reason he is a conscientious supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Anti Horse-thief Association. He and his wife are zealous supporters of the Gospel, and are considered to be useful and estimable members of the Christian Church.

Mr. Boston has not been without the able assistance of one of the best of wives, whose hearty cooperation has been an important factor in bringing about his present prosperous circumstances. Mrs. Boston's maiden name was Louisa Ransdell, and she is a daughter of Eli and Ann (Graff) Ransdell, formerly of Kentucky. She was born and reared in this county, whither her parents came in the early days of its settlement, and her union with our subject was solemnized in November, 1865. Two children have been born into their pleasant home, Mary and William. The latter is a student in Illinois College.