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James Boyd ~ Jennie Durand

Valley County, MT

Coming to Montana in 1865 when a mere youth, Mr. Boyd may well be designated as one of the pioneers of the state, and his experiences in the early days were typical of life on the frontier. He is now one of the representative citizens of Valley county, and is postmaster of Boyd post office, located on his ranch and named in his honor. Mr. Boyd is a native of New York, was born in Steuben county, October 17, 1848, the son of Alexander Boyd, who followed his trade of wheelwright for many years in Wisconsin and Colorado, and died near Denver some years since. James Boyd was reared on the farm of Joseph Spaulding near Janesville, Wis., having been brought by his parents to that state when a mere child. He gave a desultory attendance to the district schools, but in later years, through personal application and active association with the practical affairs of life, he has acquired the best of educations. Crossing the plains to Montana in 1865, when but sixteen years of age, he made his way to Virginia City, Mont., and remained in that vicinity about three years. In 1867 he was detailed as a member of the Montana militia to carry the mail between Virginia City and Twenty-five Yard creek. In 1868 he went to Fort Benton as an employee of the Northwest Fur Company, and assisted in building Fort Browning and the post trader's store on Milk river. He returned to Fort Benton in the spring of 1869, and remained near there for two years, when he was employed by Durfee & Peck, post traders at Fort Peck, until 1875. In the fall of 1875 he was appointed deputy United States marshal under J. W. Buck, and held the appointment eighteen months. He joined Gen. Miles at Fort Keogh in 1877, acting as scout during the summer, and in the fall went to Wolf Point, on the Missouri river, where he was employed in the wood yards and in various other capacities until 1884. From 1884 to 1887 Mr. Boyd acted as interpreter at Fort Buford, and was engaged in various other occupations. He then went to Poplar, on the Fort Peck reservation, Mont., and was engaged on a government mail and messenger contract until 1895. In June, 1895, he located his present ranch of 160 acres seven miles from Culbertson, on the Big Muddy creek in Valley county, where he is engaged in stock raising. In 1898 the post office of Boyd was established at his ranch, and he was made postmaster, an office in which he has since been retained. He gives an active and zealous support to the Republican party, and supports all measures for the advancement of his county and state. On May 10, 1891, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Durand, their marriage being solemnized at Poplar, Valley county. They have one son, William Allison Boyd, who was born April 13, 1898.

Source: Progressive men of the state of Montana; Chicago [Illinois] : A.W. Bowen & Co., FHL Film 1000176 

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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