William A. Boswell is one of the industrious, energetic and well-to-do citizens of Shasta. He was born in Illinois, November 3, 1846, and was brought to California when four years of age, in 1850, by his parents, Andrew J. and Rebecca (Carlin) Boswell. His father was born in Tennessee, and the family were residents of that State for many years. His mother was a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Boswell had four sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch being the oldest child. He was educated in El Dorado County, near the site of Sutter’s mill, where he resided until twenty-one years of age. He followed stock-raising in both Colusa and Tehama counties, raising many horses and cattle. In 1883 he came to Shasta, and opened a meat market, in which he has been very successful. He has the only business of the kind in the town. He runs three teams and supplies people with meat for fifteen and twenty miles out from Shasta.

Mr. Boswell was married in 1883, to Miss Mary E. Divine, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Thomas Divine. When she was two years old her mother died, and she was reared by Mr. Boswell’s aunt. Mr. and Mrs. Boswell have two sons and a daughter, born in Shasta, namely: William M., Andrew A. and California. Mrs. Boswell is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Boswell is a Chapter Mason, and is now the Junior Warden of the lodge. His political views are Democratic. He resides with his family in their pleasant home on Main street in Shasta.

Source: Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891