W. A. Boyd ~ Ida Edwards

W. A. Boyd is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred acres situated on section 22, East Fork township, and to the property he has added all modern improvements and accessories, which constitute one of the best farms of the locality. He was born in Coles county, Illinois, in 1854, and is a son of A. J. Boyd and Sarah Boyd. His father was a native of Kentucky, spending his boyhood days in that state and in Indiana. Removing then to Illinois, he settled in Coles county, where he engaged in Carpentering and in 1874 he removed to Kansas where he died. He led a useful, active and honorable life, although he never sought to figure prominently in public affairs.

W. A. Boyd was reared in Coles county and pursued his education in the schools of Mattoon, Illinois. When he was but eleven years of age his mother died and about the same time his father lost all that he had by going security for a supposed friend. It was thus necessary that the subject of this review earn his own living and at that tender age he started out in life for himself securing employment on a farm. He worked in the fields, fed and handled fancy horses, being employed by the month. In 1880 he came to his present home where his wife owned eighty acres of land. Mr. Boyd purchased eighty acres additional, erected a good residence and barn and added other modern equipments. He now owns two hundred acres of rich land, well improved his farm being in excellent condition. Upon it is found good machinery to facilitate the labors of the fields and he annually harvests good crops as the reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his place. However, he is giving much attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of fine horses and he has a half mile track upon his farm on which he trains his horses. He now owns a three-year-old Highlander which is registered in class A, Volume 1. He has gained a reputation throughout this portion of Illinois as a breeder of fine horses and has made sales of some very valuable stock. Everything about his place is neat and attractive in appearance, giving indication of the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

In 1879 Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Ida Edwards, a daughter of William Allen Edwards, and they became the parents of three children of whom two are now living. Iva Boyd and Nellie Boyd, both at home. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Coffeen and Mr. Boyd is identified with the Court of Honor. Deeply interested in political questions and the success of the Republican party he gives to it an unfaltering support and does everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has never sought office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, which are now crowned with prosperity. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished and he may well be called a self-made man, for he owns his prosperity not to any fortunate combination of circumstances but his won determination, capable management and business foresight. He has persevered in the face of obstacles and by the utilization of his opportunities he has steadily worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence.

Source: Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois; by Jacob L. Traylor; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. 1904 ISBN:1-58103-968-9/1581039689

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.

Back to Main Page

NOTES TO RESEARCHERS

When you use this site, please keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources and the importance of checking those sources. Accept nothing without further checking. It is our hope that through this collection of data from many sources, you will find a piece of the puzzle that you are working on and that may lead you to other discoveries.

Do not duplicate in any form without permission of Clan Boyd Society International.