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John W.
Boyd / (1)Wealthy H. Hathaway(2) Persis A. Buell
NY to
WI
JOHN W. BOYD was born in
Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, 15 Sep 1811. He was the son of JOHN
L. BOYD, of Solon, Cortland County, in that
state. He received a common school and academic education, and spent his
early life in Cortland County, till 1844, devoted to farming, excepting
four years, in which he was engaged in mercantile business, at
Cincinnati, in that county. He settled in Wisconsin, at Geneva, Walworth
County, in 1844, where he has ever since resided; and has devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1846, he was elected as a
representative from the county of Walworth, to the first Constitutional
Convention, and served on the committee on the executive of the state.
He ranked among the substantial members of that body, exercising at all
times, a remarkable degree of common sense, a practical knowledge of
affairs, and giving constant attention to duties, rendered him a man of
large influence in shaping the organic law of the state. He was not what
might be termed a speech-maker, but he expressed himself on many
questions in a very clear manner, showing that he fully understood the
subjects under consideration. Few men were more popular with his
fellows, than was GENERAL BOYD. Mr. BOYD was commissioned as major
general of the militia of the territory, by Governor Dodge. After the
state government was formed, General BOYD was elected to the first state
senate, and served during the sessions of 1848 and 1849. He was again
elected in 1858, as a state senator for the term of two years. He
rendered valuable service in this body, and was esteemed as an able,
conscientious and influential member of the highest branch of the
legislative department. Being a man of retiring habits, he has shrunk
from prominent official positions, though his name has been frequently
mentioned in connection with the chief magistracy of the state; not,
however, through any movement or desire of his own, but through the
partiality of friends who knew his great worth. In his own town, he has
ever occupied a prominent position, honored and respected by all who
knew him. For some fifteen years, between 1860 and 1876, General BOYD
was a member of the board of directors of the Madison Mutual Insurance
Company, and was most of that time president of the company. He was a
very able and faithful officer, discharging every duty with marked
fidelity. General BOYD has been twice married, 10 Nov 1842, to WEALTHY
H. HATHAWAY, of Solon, New York; and again 09 Sep 1858, to PERSIS A.
BUELL, of Linn, Wisconsin. It is fortunate for any new country to have
men like General BOYD settle in it. Wisconsin has been largely benefited
from his counsel and labors in its behalf. His record is a worthy one;
every act of his life has been based upon principles of right; his
charecter has been exceptionally pure and honest; to deal out equal and
exact justice to all mankind has been his rule of action, and most nobly
has he lived up to that rule. At the age of sixty-nine, General BOYD is
full of vigor; and has every prospect of being spared yet many years to
bless his people. His life has been an honor to his race, and is worthy
of imitation by all. Without enemies, he is enjoying the sweets of old
age, that a well spent life is sure to bring, honored and respected by
all who know him.
Source: Memorial Record
of the Fathers of WI, Tenney & Atwood, 1880, pp 47-48
NOTE:
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source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts
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