Boyaner Family, Part 1


The Boyaner Family - Part 1


Don Boyaner (1860-1910) and Kate Poyas Boyaner (1869-1942)

The Boyaner Family


Don Boyaner
Don Boyaner came to Canada from Poland in 1887, landing first in Montreal and then moving to Saint John in 1892. Like many Eastern European Jewish immigrants, he came with his family to escape the pogroms taken place in the Russian Empire. The family lived first at 606 Main Street in the city’s North End and then moved to 73 High Street, a nearby side street. Don Boyaner established an optometry business in the city in 1894, first on Main Street and then he moved to 38 Dock Street before 1910. He died suddenly on October 23, 1910 after a short illness. His obituary described him as “one of the many respected Jewish residents of the city.” 


He married Kate Poyas in Montreal. Her family had come to Saint John from Warsaw, Poland in the 1890s.  The family group included, Etta Poyas, her daughters, Kate and Esther (Mrs. Samuel) Goldfeather, and a son, Abraham Poyas. He opened a shop on King Street where he repaired and sold watches and jewelry. 


Kate Poyas was one of the founding members of the Daughters of Israel, working alongside Alice Davis Hart and her daughters. She was also a member of the Hospital Aid. She died on Saturday, October 17, 1942 at the age of 73.

The Boyaner family moved to 53 Elliot Row before 1914 and this home became the centre of life for the family.

Don and Kate Boyaner had six children: Louis Boyaner (1890-1973), Harry Israel Boyaner (1891-1968), Dr. Eli Boyaner (1893-1966), Dr. Frank Boyaner (1898-1945), Frances Boyaner Smith (1895-1978) and Bertie Boyaner Elman (1900-1995)



References: 

  • Louis I. Michelson Archives and Research and Exhibition Files, Saint John Jewish Historical Museum 
  • Marcia Koven, Weaving the Past Into the Present (Saint John: 1989 and 2008) 
  • The Evening Times Globe / The Telegraph Journal (Saint John newspapers)

 


See also: Boyaner Family Part 2, Ellman Family and Goldfeather Family


To comment on this story please send an email to sjjhm@nbnet.nb.ca 

 

 

This project is made possible with funding from the Archaeology and Heritage Branch, Province of New Brunswick through their Exhibit Renewal Digital Component program and the unwavering support of the Jewish families who made Saint John their home.


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