CHIEF:  Dr Robin Boyd, MA (Oxon); MB BS; LRCP, MRCS; DCH; AFOM, 8th Baron Kilmarnock

Daniel Montgomery Boyd 

 (1) Caroline A. Bockins  (2) Ida Cottrell

Danville Twp,  Montour County, PA

Daniel Montgomery Boyd was born in Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Penn., within two miles of Danville on the "homestead farm."  He is the son of John C. Boyd and Hannah Montgomery Boyd. The former was a native of Chester County, Penn., and a son of Gen. John Boyd.  He was a large owner of real estate, a prominent and active business man, and foremost in all the public enterprises of his day. His mother was a native of  Danville, and daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery; both parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. Daniel Montgomery is the second in a family of eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity and attained prominence in business and social life of their native place.  D. Montgomery Boyd acquired his education principally at the "Danville Academy," an institution founded and sustained largely by the liberality of Gen. William Montgomery (one of his ancestors) and which held a prominent position in the educational institutions of its day, being thoroughly equipped and conducted by the best teachers. After completing his education and spending a year or two at his home  in the country, he went with his father and family to Pottsville, Penn., where he, for a short time, engaged in the purchase and sale of coal. Soon after he became identified with the development of the Shamokin coal basin, in opening mines and building railroads. Becoming interested personally in coal lands, he with a partner opened one of the finest veins of coal and built one of the first improved coal breakers in that country; afterward became interested in mining and selling the same. In 1862 he was induced to go to Havre-de-Grace, Md., for the purpose of selling and shipping coal by vessel south, but later extended his operations with others to shipment of coal to points south and west. He remained here until 1881, when ill health forced him to retire from active business. He returned to Danville, where he became interested in the leading enterprises of the place, being president of the First National Bank, Danville, Penn., president of the board of trustees of the State Insane Hospital, president of the Nail Manufacturing Company, and other interests. He has always been willing to assist with his labor, influence and money, every public enterprise of Danville, and is one of the few who enjoy the fruits of his labor. 

He married in 1869, Miss Caroline A. Bockins, of Germantown, Penn., who died in 1876. His second marriage took place in 1878, with Miss Ida Cottrell, of Columbia, Penn.,  who has borne him two children: Daniel Montgomery Boyd (deceased) and Elsie M. Boyd.  Mr. Boyd and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. His politics are Republican. 

Source: History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg 145                                    

   Boyd Residence on Bloom Street, Danville, Pennsylvania, 1909

This home doesn't exist in the 1876 atlas of Danville, so it must have been built subsequent to that time. I discovered in the 1910 census a listing for the occupants of this home being Ida C. Boyd, age 60, widow; Elsie M. Boyd, daughter, age 25; three servants; and a niece, Esther Cottrell.  Ida Boyd is the widow of Daniel Montgomery Boyd. There is a biography of this gentleman on your website which parallels what I found in "The Historical & Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, by J. H. Beers & Company, Chicago, 1915.

Daniel Montgomery Boyd, son of John C. Boyd and Hannah Montgomery Boyd
was born on the old homestead. He left the area after graduation, but in 1881 he returned to Danville because of ill health. He died on July 4, 1899. He was married twice, first to Caroline, daughter of Samuel Bockius of Germantown, PA, in 1869. After her death, in 1878, he married Ida, daughter of Joseph W. and Esther A. (Sloan) Cottrell, the former a prosperous merchant of Columbia, PA. By this union he had two children: Daniel Montgomery, deceased; and Elsie M.

All this seems to fit together quite well. A courthouse search would most likely verify the owner of the home for certain. I regret that I can't offer to search for you, but if anyone related to these folks would like to have the Montour County Genealogical Society volunteers perform some further research for them, there is information on our website about how to submit a request to have that done.

Best Regards,
Cindy Elder

Montour County, Pennsylvania Genealogical Society  

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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