Bio of BOVAY, Charles A. (b.1832 d.1911), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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CHARLES A. BOVAY - Vol II, pg 273-274
All recognize the fact that the strength of the nation had its origin in the
sturdy qualities which marked the New England settlers, and one of the greatest
students of American history, as well as a man of broad philosophical
attainments, has said: "The greatest and strongest in American manhood is found
where New England birth and training is grafted onto western enterprise and
opportunity." This sentence could be taken as a summing up of the life history
and career of Charles A. Bovay, who, born in Maine, came to Minneapolis and for
many years figured prominently in connection with the commercial progress and
civic advancement of this city. His birth occurred in Bath, Maine, May 27, 1832,
and he came of English parentage. His father, John Bovay, was a native of
Devonshire, England, and crossed the Atlantic in 1815. John Bovay wedded Amelia
Masters, and their son, Charles A. Bovay, was reared amid the environment of a
New England home in the first half of the nineteenth century. He attended the
public school of Bath, and the old schoolhouse in which his student days were
passed is still standing there. He had no college training, but he possessed an
observing eye and retentive memory and throughout his life he was a student of
men and affairs and was constantly broadening his knowledge through his
experiences and activities. He was still quite young when he made his entrance
into the business world, going on a trip to New Brunswick, where he secured a
position with a large lumber and importing firm that was engaged in the West
Indies trade, as well as in logging, lumbering and manufacturing. The capability
and faithfulness of the boy is indicated in the fact that he remained with that
concern for twenty years, winning promotion from time to time until he had
reached a position of considerable responsibility.
The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Minnesota. He took up his abode in
Minneapolis and was soon a well known factor in the lumber trade of the
Northwest, becoming associated with W. W. Eastman and John De Laittre, the firm
being known as Eastman, Bovay & Company. The business established at that early
period is still being carried on, but is now conducted under the name of the
Bovay-De Laittre Lumber Company. The first business property of the new firm was
the old pioneer sawmill on the west side of the Falls of St. Anthony-a mill that
was built in the early days of lumbering in Minneapolis and which constituted a
nucleus of the great lumber trade which for many years has centered in this
city. The firm of Eastman, Bovay & Company gave up its early mill when the water
power company took over the lease and at that time removed to the east side,
there operating until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1887. Following the
incorporation of the business under the name of the Bovay-De Laittre Lumber
Company, this organization purchased the big mills at Thirty-ninth avenue,
North, which for years were one of the centers of the lumber trade in this
section. The business was developed along most progressive lines, in keeping
with the growth and progress of the Northwest, and anticipating the need for
lumber, this concern, by reason of its progressive methods and honorable
dealing, won a most liberal patronage which made its undertaking one of
gratifying profit.
In 1856 Mr. Bovay was united in marriage at Salem, Massachusetts, to Miss Hannah
Caroline Brooks, a daughter of Luke Brooks, formerly a merchant of Boston. Mr.
and Mrs. Bovay resided on Harmon place at Thirteenth street, in a home erected
in 1870, and their marriage was blessed with a family of six children, all of
whom are living: Frank A., who for some years was associated with his father in
the Bovay-De Laittre Company; Charles Cranston and William H., who became
identified with the Washburn-Crosby Company; John A., a member of the
Bovay-Shute Lumber Company; Caroline H.; and Mrs. Ann Bovay Ross. The wife and
mother passed away in 1906 and Mr. Bovay was called to his final rest on the 2d
of November, 1911, only about a year prior to the death of his long-time
partner, John De Laittre. Important as were his activities as a lumber
manufacturer and merchant in Minneapolis, he had found time to cooperate in many
movements which were of direct worth in the upbuilding and development of the
city. He entered actively into the political, social and civic life of
Minneapolis with his removal to the west and supported every movement that he
deemed essential to her welfare. He served as one of the directors of the public
library and in many tangible ways furthered the intellectual and moral progress
of the community. In his political views he was an earnest republican where
national issues were involved, but at local elections cast an independent
ballot. His entire life was guided by the highest principles of integrity and
honor and he was rich in the possession of all those qualities which awaken
confidence and regard.