Frank L. Boyce Biography


	This biography appears on pages 758-761 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				FRANK L. BOYCE. 

	In December, 1896, Sioux Falls was called upon to mourn the loss 
of one of her early residents, Frank L. Boyce-a man who left the 
impress of his ability, insight and public spirit upon the political, 
professional and social life of the city. He was one of the leading 
attorneys of Sioux Falls and had made his ability and ambition public 
assets through long and honorable public service. 

	He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 7, 1854, and he 
spent his childhood there, working upon the home farm and attending 
district school. When he was fourteen years of age he entered the State 
University at Madison, Wisconsin, where he took a complete collegiate 
course, graduating in 1873. Immediately afterward he entered the law 
department of the university and received his degree in 1874. On the 
20th of June of that year he was admitted to the bar by the supreme 
court of Wisconsin and immediately afterward entered the law office of 
Barker, Buell & Wait of Chicago, where he remained until September, 
1875. He was then, upon examination by the supreme court, admitted to 
the practice of law in Illinois and engaged in professional work in 
Chicago until May, 1878. 

	At that time Mr. Boyce came to Sioux Falls on a visit and was so 
well pleased with Dakota and impressed with its future possibilities 
that he concluded to make this city his future home. He returned to 
Chicago and after finishing up his business there removed to Sioux 
Falls, where in the following October he opened a law office. In March, 
1879, he formed a partnership with John Bippus under the firm name of 
Bippus & Boyce, an association which continued until August, 1881. 
Following this Mr. Boyce was alone in practice until late in the year 
1883, when he admitted his brother Jesse W. to a partnership, the firm 
being Boyce & Boyce. In the spring of 1884 the firm of Boyce, Noyes & 
Boyce was established and this continued until January, 1886, when T. 
W. Noyes removed to Washington, D. C. Following this the firm of Boyce 
& Boyce was reestablished and continued one of the leading law firms of 
the city. 

	Mr. Boyce was known as a most studious, painstaking and 
conservative lawyer and in his professional capacity was connected with 
many of the most important cases heard in the courts of the state. In 
addition to his professional prominence he was also well known in 
political affairs and was entrusted by his fellow citizens with various 
positions of responsibility. In 1879 he was elected secretary of the 
board of education and in 1883 was made alderman from the third ward. 
He was a capable and conscientious official and his political following 
grew rapidly. In 1894 he was elected senator from Minnehaha county upon 
the republican ticket and served in this capacity with credit and 
ability, being known as one of the most industrious members of the 
state assembly. He brought to the discharge of his duties careful and 
conscientious regard for the welfare of the state and a great deal of 
important legislation bears the stamp of his influence and activity. 

	In 1880 Mr. Boyce was united in marriage to Miss Maude W. Rouse, 
of Lennox, South Dakota, a daughter of Dr. W. H. Rouse. She is now a 
resident of Sioux Falls. To them were born three children, namely: 
Jessie W., a graduate of and now a teacher in the University of 
Minnesota; Leonard F., of Sioux Falls, who is a graduate of the 
University of Minnesota and one of the proprietors of the Sioux Falls 
Construction Company. of which he is the secretary and assistant 
manager; and Arthur James, a student in the University of Minnesota. 

	During the summer of 1896 Mr. Boyce, being in ill health, went to 
his old home in Wisconsin in order to take a much needed rest for a few 
weeks. Instead of recuperating he became more enfeebled and on the 19th 
of December, 1896, he died at the home of his parents. His remains were 
brought to Sioux Falls and interred in Mount Pleasant cemetery. His 
death was widely and deeply mourned not only by the members of the 
legal fraternity and his official associates but by the many warm 
friends to whom his upright character had so greatly endeared him.