CHIEF:  Dr Robin Boyd, MA (Oxon); MB BS; LRCP, MRCS; DCH; AFOM, 8th Baron Kilmarnock

Richard G. Boyd

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

RichBoyd (at sign) Charter.net

Hon George E. Boyd / Anna Colwell

                       Son of John W. Boyd / Elizabeth Endly

Cumberland, Guernsey Co; Ohio to Wheeling, W. VA

George E. Boyd, who has served both the county and circuit on title bench, came to Wheeling, from Ohio, his native state, when but ten years of age. His elementary education was secured in the public schools of Wheeling, and Linsly institute. This was supplemented by the completion of a classical course at Washington college, Penn. After a thorough course of reading, he entered the Cincinnati law school, where he received his degree in 1860. He rose rapidly in his profession. In 1876 he had attained a position which justified the people in elevating him to the judgeship of the Ohio county court. He held this position until the abolition of said court. In 1880, although his party was largely in the minority, he was elected judge of the first judicial circuit of West Virginia. His term in this position expired January 1, 1889. Judge Boyd's service upon the bench has been in every way creditable to him, and has added to the laurels won by him as an Attorney. Of the highest integrity, with a clear grasp of the principles he is called upon to apply, and with an abiding sense of the righteousness of even-handed justice, he has earned a reputation as a judge who has rendered more than ordinary service to the commonwealth. His opinions are always given without hesitation, his decision short and pointed, and the records of the supreme court show that his decisions were not often reversed.

Judge George E. Boyd, a well-known member of the bar of Wheeling, and prominent among the jurists of the state, is a native of Cumberland, Ohio, and is a son of John E. Boyd, who was one of the early merchants of Wheeling. The latter was born at Alexandria, Va., in 1812, and in about the year 1830, removed to Washington, Guernsey Co., Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Thence he subsequently removed to Cumberland in the same county, and from that place in about 1849 he came to Wheeling and formed a partnership with Samuel Ott. Under the firm name of Boyd & Ott these gentlemen did an extensive business in wholesaling dry goods. About the year 1861 John E. Boyd removed to Philadelphia, and embarked in the banking business, and established and served as president of the Gold Exchange. Retiring from business in 1868 he made his home at Chase City, Va., and is there engaged at farming at present. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Endly, was married to him at Washington, Ohio, some fifty-five years ago. She is a native of Maryland, and is a daughter of Jacob Endly, of German descent. Three sons and two daughters were born to these parents, of whom one son is deceased. Judge Boyd was born in Cumberland, Ohio, December 29, 1839, and after the first ten years of his life spent in his native place he became a resident of Wheeling, where he has ever since remained. He received his literary education at the Linsly institute, and at Washington college, Pennsylvania, at which latter institution he was graduated in 1858. He then applied himself to the study of law, and after completing a course of study and receiving his degree from the Cincinnati law school in 1860, he was admitted to the bar in 1861. A few years later, in 1868, he was honored by election as prosecuting attorney of Wetzel county, and held that position until 1870. His practice continued with much success and honor to himself until 1876, when he was elevated to the bench as judge of the Ohio county court, and this position he filled until the court was abolished. In 1880 he was elected by the democratic party as judge of the first judicial circuit of West Virginia, his election being notable from the fact that his party was in the minority in the district. In the practice in which Judge Boyd is at present engaged, his son, George E.Boyd, is associated. The latter was born January 24, 1866, and received his education at the University of Virginia. He studied law at the University of West Virginia, and was graduated at that institution in 1887, and in the same year admitted to the bar.

The wife of Judge Boyd, to whom he was married June 18, 1864, is Anna, daughter of Alfred Colwell, a distinguished lawyer. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are Alfred Colwell Boyd, now aged twenty years, and a daughter, Beulah Boyd.

From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY," Vol. I, pages 227-228 & 335. Brant & Fuller, 1890.

HON. GEORGE E. BOYD, who is very well known in legal circles in West Virginia, has been a resident of Wheeling since 1850. He was born in Cumberland, Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1839. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in November, 1812. He removed from Ohio to Wheeling in 1850, where he was engaged in the wholesale dry goods business with Mr. Ott. After Mr. Ott's death he carried on the business alone until 1858, when he went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in the banking business. He remained in Philadelphia until 1867, when he moved to Chase City, Mecklenberg county, Virginia. He died in 1902. His wife has been dead for three years. They enjoyed sixty-four years of married life. His children are living in New York City and in New Jersey. One son, JOHN W. BOYD, deceased, was for many years engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Wheeling, and GEORGE E., the subject of this sketch, has always lived in this city since he first came here. George E. Boyd received his primary education in Wheeling, and in 1858, at the age of eighteen years, was graduated from  Washington and Jefferson College. He then attended the Cincinnati Law School and graduated from that institution in 1860.He was admitted to the bar of Ohio county in December, 1861. Judge Boyd at once took up the general practice of law. His father-in-law, Hon. Alfred Caldwell, was appointed consul at Honolulu, and until 1867 Judge Boyd carried on the business under the name of Caldwell & Boyd. In 1867 Judge Boyd went to New Martinsville, Wetzel county, West Virginia, where he remained five years. During 1871-72 he acted as prosecuting attorney for that county. In 1872 he returned to Wheeling and practiced here until 1876, when he was elected to the bench as judge of the county court. He served in this office until 1881,when he was chosen judge of the circuit court, and served in this capacity until January 1, 1889. During this time Judge Boyd turned over some of his legal business to Hon. Joseph F. Paull. Since 1889 Judge Boyd has followed the general practice of law. He has always had a large and lucrative practice, and has met with great success in his chosen profession. He is well known in Wheeling and in this section of West Virginia, having won the confidence and esteem of all who have come in contact with him. JUDGE BOYD married a daughter of HON. ALFRED CALDWELL. He has a son, G.E., who was graduated from the law department of the University of West Virginia in 1886, after which he attended the law school of the University of Virginia. Judge Boyd's son, ALFRED C., deceased, was a newspaper man. His daughter, BEULAH, is the wife of Charles M. RITCHIE, of Fairmont, West Virginia.

Source: History of West Virginia and Its People, Vols I,II,III Charleston, WV: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1913.

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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