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

John Yeomans Boyd ~ Eleanor Gilmore Herr

Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania

Eleanor Gilmore Herr, b. Feb. 18 1866,  educated in private schools at
Harrisburg and Farmington, Connecticut; m. Apr. 26, 1887, John Yeomans Boyd, b. Aug. 19, 1862, at Danville,  Pennsylvania, son of James Boyd and
Louisa Yeomans Boyd. His grandfather, John C. Boyd,  was a pioneer in the iron and coal business of  the upper Susquehanna valley, who married Hannah Montgomery, of Danville, Penna. His mother is a daughter of Rev. John W. Yeomans,  D. D., Presbyterian minister of Pittsfield, Mass.,  North Adams, Mass., Danville, Penna., and president of Lafayette College, who married Letitia B. Snyder. John Yeomans Boyd was educated in private schools at Sunbury and Harrisburg, entered Princeton in 1880 and was graduated in 1884. Since then he has been continually engaged in the wholesale anthracite coal business, with varied interests in coal and iron. He and his wife are members of the Pine Street Presbyterian church of Harrisburg, where they reside.

To John Yeomans Boyd and Eleanor Gilmore Herr Boyd were born four children:

 1. James Boyd see below  b. July 2, 1888  d. 25 Feb 1944.
 2. Andrew Jackson Herr Boyd, b. Feb. 29, 1892.
 3. Eleanor Gilmore Boyd, b. Feb. 18, 1894.
 4. Louisa Yeomans Boyd, b. Mar. 7, 1896.  

 Source: History of The Families of McKinney-Brady-Quigley; Author: Belle McKinney Hays Swope, 1905

Dear Rich,

I took your name from the letterhead of the Clan Boyd Society. I have been searching for information on Eleanor Herr Boyd who wrote books from about 1917-1922. Some of the book titles are 'The Gospel in Genesis', The Gospel in Exodus', etc. Her books are still available used online and I believe I have a copy of most of them; but who in the world is she? My best lead ever came from the Clan Boyd Society Web Page:
http://clanboyd.info/state/pennsylvania/famhist/johny/
where I found the article. This information brings me up to 1905. It mentions she and husband John Yeomans Boyd attended the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, at the time; so I e-mailed the church archivist for more
information.

This Eleanor Boyd was quite the woman, to write such down to earth good books when she was a grandmother. I heard she was a missionary to India, but the article doesn't mention it.

If there is anything you can share about her, I would appreciate it.

Thank you very much,

Sincerely,
Carl Mease   meases "at" hctc.com

James Boyd (July 2, 1888 – February 25, 1944), the son of a wealthy coal and oil family in Pennsylvania, was an American novelist.

Boyd's parents, John Yeomans Boyd and Eleanor Gilmore Herr Boyd, were from Pennsylvania and he was born in Dauphin County. He attended Princeton University where he wrote verse and fiction for the Tiger and was its managing editor in his senior year. After graduation in 1910, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and served overseas with the Army Ambulance Service in World War I. After World War I, due to many illnesses, he was forced into retirement and moved to Weymouth to a house his grandfather built near Southern Pines. Boyd's first book, Drums, was set in Edenton, North Carolina, and has been called the best novel written about the American Revolution[1]. He wrote five historical novels, including Bitter Creek, which were thought to have elevated the genre through greater historical accuracy, psychological and sociological awareness, and formal craftsmanship.

In 1940, Boyd organized the Free Company of Players, a group of American writers. This was a coalition of talent that, despite the powerful opposition of right-wing conservative interests, produced a series of original radio plays in response to what they saw as antidemocratic attitudes prevalent in America due to the growing war in Europe. One of his major accomplishments was to bring to his hometown of Weymouth many of the finest writers of the time. Some of the writers who attended were Paul Green, Thomas Wolfe, Sherwood Anderson, William Faulkner, Struthers Burt, and John Galsworthy. In 1941, Boyd bought The Pilot, a regional newspaper.

Eleanor Gilmore Herr Boyd


Gleaned from the Book:
History of The Families of McKinney-Brady-Quigley
By Belle McKinney Hays Swope
Author of "History of Middle Spring Presbyterian Church"
Newville, Penna 1900

NANCY JANE GILMORE, b. Feb. 21, 1844, at Newville, Penna., educated at the Normal School at Newville, Penna.; m. Dec. 22, 1863, ANDREW JACKSON HERR, b. Dec. 31, 1832, at Greencastle, Penna.; d. Mar. 16, 1894, at Harrisburg, Penna., buried at Harrisburg. He was a son of Daniel Herr and Sarah Gilbert Herr, who resided in Greencastle at the time of the birth of their son, Andrew Jackson Herr. When he was three months old they removed to Reading, and later to Philadelphia, and died in Harrisburg. Their son received his education in the various cities in which they lived. He was graduated from the High School of Philadelphia in 1845. Soon after the completion of his school course he returned to Harrisburg, studied law with James McCormick, Esq., and was admitted to the Dauphin county bar in 1850, at the age of eighteen years. He then began the practice of the profession in which he became distinguished. His intellectual ability and acquirements were recognized and admired by members of the bar and the people in general. By nature highly gifted, he rose to the rank of a leader among his fellow lawyers and was the most polished speaker at the bar. He was justly styled "the silver tongued orator of Penna." For nine years he served as district attorney of Dauphin county, was counsel for the county commissioners for one year and represented the county in the legislature during the session of 1868-1869. He was a member of the State Senate in 1875-1876, and in the latter year re-elected for a term of four years. At the close of the session of 1878 he was elected president pro tem. of the Senate, which position he filled with dignity and honor. He was again elected to the Senate in 1880 for a term of four years, and at the expiration of his term in 1884 he retired from politics, and devoted his time and attention to the furtherance of the claims of his profession. In politics he was a Republican, and previous to 1884 he was a party leader in his State. He conducted many important cases in court, and during, a period of forty years there were few noteworthy cases in which he was not employed as counsel on one side or the other. He was effective in jury trials and met with few defeats. As a statesman he was among the leading lights of his day. Thorough and shrewd, his career as one of the managers of the affairs of state won for him the most sincere admiration and distinction. In early life he devoted his leisure moments to literary pursuits and produced much that was rare in its beauty and originality, both in prose and poetical works. At fifteen years of age he wrote fluently and contributed to newspaper and magazine fiction. "The Maid of the Valley," a story of the Revolution; "The Corsair," founded on the revolt of San Domingo, and "The Chain of Destiny," were so popular that they were reproduced in England, and received most flattering praise and comment. In the field of literature he would have had a career of brilliancy, yet he chose a calling which brought him in touch with his fellow men, of which it was said by a friend "He touched every heart, his charm of language swayed the people. I never knew a man who was more wonderfully gifted in that respect. Keen, incisive and interesting he rose to celebrity in his efforts at the bar. His knowledge of law led him to know almost intuitively whether a man was or was not guilty. It is for these traits he will be longest remembered. He was a man of the people, a gentleman in intercourse, and always accessible to the public." He was particularly kind and helpful to young men entering the legal profession by his encouraging words and charitable outlook on their mistakes, making friends and proving a stimulus to advancement in their lines of achievement. His widow resides in Harrisburg where she and her family are members of the Pine Street Presbyterian church. By a previous marriage to Martha Linn Coyle, daughter of Scott Coyle and Nancy Coyle, of Newville, he had one son, Daniel Coyle Herr, born Aug. 16, 1856, educated at the Harrisburg and Chambersburg academies and Lafayette College, admitted to the Dauphin county bar in 1880, and practices law in Harrisburg. He married secondly, Nancy Mathers Coyle, daughter of Scott Coyle and Nancy Coyle of Newville, to whom was born one daughter, Martha Herr, who died in infancy.


ANDREW JACKSON HERR and NANCY JANE GILMORE HERR had one daughter:
ELEANOR GILMORE HERR, b. Feb. 18 1866, educated in private schools at Harrisburg and Farmington, Connecticut; m. Apr. 26, 1887, JOHN YEOMANS BOYD, b. Aug. 19, 1862, at Danville, Penna., son of James Boyd and Louisa Yeomans Boyd. His grandfather, John C. Boyd, was a pioneer in the iron and coal business of the upper Susquehanna valley, who married Hannah Montgomery, of Danville, Penna. His mother is a daughter of Rev. John W. Yeomans, D. D., Presbyterian minister of Pittsfield, Mass., North Adams, Mass., Danville, Penna., and president of Lafayette College, who married Letitia B. Snyder. John Yeomans Boyd was educated in private schools at Sunbury and Harrisburg, entered Princeton in 1880 and was graduated in 1884. Since then he has been continually engaged in the wholesale anthracite coal business, with varied interests in coal and iron. He and his wife are members of the Pine Street Presbyterian church of Harrisburg, where they reside.

To JOHN YEOMANS BOYD and ELEANOR GILMORE HERR BOYD were born four children:
1) JAMES BOYD, b. July 2, 1888.
2) ANDREW JACKSON HERR BOYD, b. Feb. 29, 1892.
3) ELEANOR GILMORE BOYD,b. Feb. 18, 1894.
4) LOUISA YEOMANS BOYD, b. Mar. 7, 1896.


///////////////

United States Censuses:


1850 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Harrisburg East Ward
Household Members:
*Daniel Herr 55 abt 1795 MD ....Hotel owner
*Sarah Herr 49 abt 1801 PA
*Andrew J Herr 22 abt 1828 PA.....Attorney
Elizabeth Herr 22
Gilbert Herr 19
Anna Herr 17
Sarah B Herr 15
Daniel B Herr 12
Irene Herr 7
Mary Herr 9


1850 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Montour > Danville
Household Members:
J W Yeomans 50
Letitia Yeomans 52
Ed D Yeomans 20
Alph Yeomans 19
Geo Yeomans 17
*Louisa Yeomans 12 abt 1838 NJ
Francis Yeomans 10

1850 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Montour > Danville
Household Members:
Hannah Boyd 50
Mary L Boyd 26
Montgomery Boyd 23
Lile Boyd 21
*James Boyd 19 abt 1831 PA
Alas Boyd 15
Chrissie Boyd 13
Joseph Boyd 11


---------------


1860 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Montour > Danville
Household Members: John W Yeomans 60
Latitia Yeomans 62
George Yeomans 26
Alfred Yeomans 28
*Louisa Yeomans 23 abt 1837 NJ
Frances Yeomans 21


1860 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Montour > Danville
Household Members: Hannah Boyd 60
Montgomery Boyd 34
Hannah Boyd 31
*James Boyd 29 abt 1831 PA
Alexander Boyd 26
Christianna Boyd 23
Joseph Boyd 21


---------------

1870 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Harrisburg Ward 3
Household Members: *Jackson Herr 38 abt 1832 PA .....Lawyer
*Nanna Herr 26 abt 1844 PA
Daniel Herr 14
*Nella Herr 04 abt 1866 PA
*Sarah Herr 67.....Mother
Kate Beckley 18
Ellen Kerams 19


1870 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Northumberland > Sunbury West Ward
Household Members: *James Boyd 38 abt 1832 PA ....Coal Merchant
*Louisa Boyd 31 abt 1838 PA
*John Y Boyd 7 abt 1863 PA
Hellen M Boyd 4
Mary L Boyd 2


---------------


1880 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Harrisburg
> District 87
Household Members: *James Boyd 48 abt 1832 PA PA PA
*Louise Boyd 42 abt 1838 NJ MA MA
*John Y. Boyd 17 abt 1863 PA
Helen M. Boyd 14 abt 1866 PA
Mary L. Boyd 12 abt 1868 PA
Kate Scheibly 24 [no relation]


1880 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Harrisburg
> District 84
Household Members: *Andrew J. Herr 47 abt 1833 PA.....Atty At Law
*Nannie G. Herr 35
Daniel C. Herr 23
*Eleanor G. Herr 14
Helen Kelley 49
Mary C. Madden 23


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1900 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Swatara > District 105
Household Members: *James Boyd Head 68 abt 1832 PA
*Louisa Y Boyd Wife 62 abt 1838 NJ
Helen B Dull Dau 34 abt 1866 PA
Myra F Bird Servant 17
Elizabeth Lenker Servant 56
Katie W Bashore Servant 22
Jennie A Martin Servant 21
Isabelle Bird Servant 45


1900 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Swatara > District 105
Household Members: *John Y Boyd Head 37 abt 1863 PA
*Elenor H Boyd Wife 34
James J Boyd Son 11
Jackson Boyd Son 8
*Elenor G Boyd Dau 6
Louisa H Boyd Dau 4
Andrew L Jackson Butler 37
Elenor Jackson Servant 35
Elsie Shull Servant 27
George Wethers Servant 42
Mary A Ginley Nurse 42
Minnie Taylor Cook 33
A Kathleen Gool Governess 33


-------------

1910 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Dauphin > Harrisburg Ward 4 > District 61
Household Members: *John Y Boyd Head 46 abt 1864 PA PA MA
*Eleanor Herr Boyd Wife 43 abt 1867 PA PA PA
James Boyd Jr Son 21 abt 1889 PA
Jackson Herr Boyd Son 18 abt 1892 PA
Eleanor Gilmore Boyd Dau 16 abt 1894 PA
Louisa Y Boyd Dau 14 abt 1896 PA
Lucy S Hays Cousin 39 abt 1871 PA
Mary E Baltimore Servant 26
Veda Washington Assistant Cook 21
Rosha Tutman Maid 25


////////////////////

EXTRAS:

New York Passenger Lists, 1913 August 07 , Ship: Imperator
Passengers:
John Y Boyd, 51 yrs
Eleanor H. Boyd, 47 yrs
Louisa Y. Boyd, 17 yrs
Arrival Date: 7 Aug 1913
Port of Departure: Hamburg
Ship Name: Imperator
Port of Arrival: New York, New York


--------------------------

U.S. Passport Applications:

March 10, 1885
John Y Boyd
Born: 19 Aug 1862 - Pennsylvania
Age: 22 yrs
Stature: 5 feet 11 1/4 inches
Forehead: High
Eyes: Blue
Nose: Medium
Mouth: Medium
Chin: Prominent
Hair: Light Brown
Complexion: Fair
Face: Oval


March 10, 1885
Louisa Yeomans Boyd
Born: 29 July 1837 - New Jersey
Age: 47 yrs
Stature: 5 feet 4 inches
Forehead: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Nose: Medium
Mouth: Medium
Chin: Small
Hair: Brown
Complexion: Fair
Face: Oval


New York
8 Apr 1920
Name: Jackson Herr Boyd
Age: 28
Stature: 6' 3"
Forehead: High
Eyes: Blue
Nose: Straight
Mouth: Medium
Chin: Round
Hair: Blonde
Complexion: Fair
Face: Oval
Remarks: Birthmark right side of Cheek
Birth Date: 29 Feb 1892
Birth Place: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Permanent Residence: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Accompanied by wife-to-be: Harriet McCook, bn New York City Nov 26, 1895
Marriage to take place: Apr 20, 1924
Occupation: Executor, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Have resided outside the US: In French Army in France Apr 1916-Nov 1916; US Army Capt May 1918-Apr 1919
Father Name: John Y Boyd
Father's Birth Location: Pennsylvania
Father's Residence: Deceased
Passport Issue Date: 8 Apr 1920
Reason for Passport: Pleasure, visit British Isles, France, Italy
Intend to leave from the Port of New York aboard the Adriatic Apr 24, 1920
Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925



July 2, 1924
New York, New York
Name: James Boyd
Age: 36
Birth Date: 2 Jul 1888
Birth Place: Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Stature: 5' 11"
Forehead: High
Eyes: Blue
Nose: Medium
Mouth: Small
Chin: Round
Hair: Brown
Complexion: Fair
Face: Oval
Wife: Katharine Lamont Boyd, bn Washington DC Oct 14, 1898
Married: Dec 14, 1917, Millbrook, NY
Permanent Residence: Southern Pines, North Carolina
Resided outside the US: British Isles Sept 1910-Jun 1912; France May 1918-May 1919.
Occupation: Writer
Father Name: John Y Boyd
Father's Birth Location: Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Father's Residence: Deceased
Passport Issue Date: 2 Jul 1924
Purpose of Passport: Travel - British Isles, France, Germany
Will leave from the Port of Quebec, Canada on board the Empress Of Scotland July 30, 1924.
Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925

--------------------

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 21 page 233
Mrs. Eleanor Herr Boyd.
DAR ID Number: 20664
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Wife of John Yeomans Boyd.
Descendant of Lieut. Robert Quigley and of James Quigley.
Daughter of Andrew Jackson Herr and Nannie Gilmore, his wife.
Granddaughter of James Gilmore and Eleanor McKinney, his wife.

--------------------

From:
FamilySearch Ancestral File:

Eleanor Gilmore HERR
Event(s)
Birth: 18 Feb 1866 Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pa Parents:
Father: Andrew Jackson HERR
Mother: Nancy Jane GILMORE Marriage: 26 Apr 1887 Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pa
Spouse: John Yeomans BOYD
Born: 19 Aug 1862 Danville, Montour, Pa
Father: James BOYD
Mother: Louisa YEOMANS

Submitter:
KENWARD H MCKINNEY
PO BOX 984
PRICE UT
USA 84501

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.        Back to Main Page

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