George J. Boyd ~ Rebecca Hill

George J. Boyd, who is engaged in farming and stock raising on Section 17, Colfax township, there owns and operates an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres, within eight miles of the city of Boone. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Clinton county, on the 4th of December, 1842. His father, James Boyd, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania in 1821, and was reared in the Keystone state until sixteen years of age when he emigrated westward, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, among the first settlers there. He purchased land from the government, afterward bought other land and engaged in the difficult task of reclaiming the wild prairie for cultivation. In his work he persevered and his two hundred acres were in the course of time transformed into rich and arable fields. He also made good improvements upon his property in the way of buildings. In Clinton county he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Sloan, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Squire Sloan, one of the early settlers of Iowa. Mr. Boyd remained in Clinton county for several years and in 1869 came to Boone county, where he purchased a farm, spending his remaining days thereon. He died November 30, 1887, having survived his wife four years. In their family were six sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, while four sons and one daughter are yet living.

George J. Boyd of this review is the eldest, and upon the old homestead farm in Clinton county the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He attended the public schools there through the winter months and in the summer season worked upon the farm, remaining with his father until he had attained his majority, when he began clearing his land. He then went to Colorado, where he spent one year in freighting and mining. On the expiration of that period he returned to his home. In 1864 Mr. Boyd, in partnership with John Cooper, engaged in the lumber business, following it for five years in Clayton county, Iowa, on the Turkey river, purchasing standing timber and manufacturing same into lumber which they would raft to Dubuque, Iowa. In 1869 he accompanied his father and the family on their removal to Boone and at once took up his abode upon the place where he now resides. It was then wild prairie land, totally without improvements, but soon the breaking plow was seen in the fields and as the sod was turned the seed was planted and in course of time good harvests were gathered. He began here with one hundred and sixty acres of land but as his financial resources increased, making possible the purchase of other property, he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. He has recently erected a commodious and attractive farm residence, has also built good barns and grain sheds and fruit and shade trees have been planted. The latest improved machinery is found upon his place and the equipments are such as to indicate that the owner is a practical and progressive agriculturist.

Mr. Boyd was married in Clinton county, Iowa, March 10, 1872, to Rebecca Hill, a native of Ohio. She came to Iowa during her girlhood days with her parents and was reared in Clinton county. Her father was an early settler there but died soon after arriving in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have four children: Leslie R. Boyd, who is carrying on the home farm; Frank Boyd, also at home; Mary Boyd, the wife of William Rea, a farmer of Colfax township; and Carl Boyd, a little lad of seven years.

In his political affiliations Mr. Boyd is a Jefferson Democrat and in 1864 he voted for George B. McClellan. At local elections however, he is independent, casting his ballot without regard to party ties. He has filled some township offices but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, as his business affairs have made heavy demands upon his time and energies. His entire life has been passed in Iowa and for one-third of a century he has made his home in Boone county. During this period many of the now thriving towns and villages have been founded: business interests formerly known only to the east have been introduced, while the wild prairie has been transformed into good farms which are the homes of contented and prosperous people. Mr. Boyd has had a successful career and his enterprise and careful supervision of his business affairs have been the foundation upon which he has built his prosperity.

Source: A Biographical record of Boone County, Iowa. Includes index. Micro-reproduction of original published: New York: S. J. Clarke Pub.,1902. - FHL Film 985417 Item 5

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