Robert W. Boyd ~ Hannah Snyder

The history of him whose name heads this biographical sketch is closely identified with the history of O'Brien county, Iowa, which has long been his home. He began his career in this locality in the pioneer epoch and throughout the subsequent years he has been closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success commensurate with his efforts. He is of the highest type of progressive citizen and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise and ability have achieved results that have awakened the admiration of those who know them. The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Boyd, and in all the relations of life.....family, church, state and society....he has displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that has endeared him to all classes. His integrity and fidelity have been manifested in every relation of life, an example which has been an inspiration to others and his influence has been felt in the community honored by his citizenship.

Robert W. Boyd, a distinguished veteran of the Civil war, and now living a retired life in Sutherland, O'Brien county, Iowa, was born in Ireland in 1844. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boyd, whose family history is sketched elsewhere in this volume, in the history of Richard Boyd.

Robert W. Boyd came over to this country with his parents before the Civil War, and in 1862, although only a lad of eighteen, he offered his services for the cause of his adopted county and enlisted at Marion, Iowa on October 10, 1862, in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry. A short time after entering the services he became sick with lung fever and was discharged on account of disability on February 10, 1863, at Davenport, Iowa, having been in the active service only about four months. In 1865 he started to work in Linn county, Iowa as a laborer and continued to work in that county until 1871. In that year he came to Grant township, O'Brien county and homesteaded a tract of land and eventually proved his title to his land. He put out one of the largest groves and orchard trees which has ever been set out in the township and his seventeen acres of trees is one of the pleasing sights of this section of the state. He is a progressive farmer in every sense of the word and erected a barn, which at the time it was built was the largest barn in the township. This barn was later destroyed by fire. For the first three years after coming here Mr. Boyd lived by himself in a sod house, and one must live in such a house in order to appreciate its disadvantages and discomforts which he suffered. In 1874 his mother sent him money to build a little house, and the lumber had to be hauled from Sheldon, a distance of twenty-five miles. In the early days of the county he was a grain freighter, hauling grain from Primghar to Sheldon, and he has the honor of selling the first load of wheat which was sold in Sheldon, the purchaser being Benjamin Jones. He also hauled the first load of wheat to Hartley, where he sold it to a Mr. McAndrews. In the early days of the county there were no roads and the trails between towns was constantly changing, a fact which often caused travelers to be led astray and even lost. As well acquainted as Mr. Boyd was with the different trails in that early time, it has happened that he has been lost himself more than once of the prairies of O'Brien count, in the days gone by. Mr. Boyd continued to reside upon his farm until 1910 when he moved to Primghar to educate his only son and child. In 1911 he moved to Sutherland, where he is now living, having a fine home and four acres of land within the corporate limits of the town. Mr. Boyd at one time owned and operated a livery barn in Sutherland, but has disposed of his interests in this business.

Mr. Boyd was married in 1878 to Hannah Snyder, the daughter of Palmer and Polly Snyder, who are now living with Mrs. Boyd. Mrs. Snyder being one of the oldest women in the county, having reached the advanced age of ninety-six years in October, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have one son, John W. Boyd, who is still living with his parents.

The Republican party has claimed the stanch support of Mr. Boyd since he was old enough t cast his first ballot. However, he has never had aspiration along political lines, being content to devote his time and energies to his agricultural interests. However, he has been a school director for several years and in that capacity gave his aid to every measure which promised to benefit the schools of his township. He and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and subscribe liberally to the support of the denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a deep interest in the work of these fraternal organizations. Personally, he is popular throughout the community, possessing those amiable qualities which attract friends and is rightfully ranked among the leading citizens of his township and county.

Source: Past and present of 0'Brien and Osceola Counties by J. L. E. Peck, O. H. Montzheimer, and William J. Miller; Pub. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1914. - FHL Film 934957

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