Captain Walter Boyd, Sr, was born in Montgomery county, Alabama, November 1, 1826.  His father, who was also named Walter, was a native of South Carolina, and in an early day moved to Alabama, where he died in 1845.  He was a prominent citizen, and for a number of years served as justice of the peace, and was also tax assessor of his county.  He was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and was an earnest Christian man. His wife was Letitia Bussey,a daughter of Dempsey Bussey, of South Carolina, and they had a family of eleven children: Elizabeth, Edmond, Dempsey, James, Walter, Margaret, Letitia, Martha J., George W., Sarah L. and Lethia A.
 

Walter Boyd lived in his native State until 1848, when he moved to Texas and settled in Upshur county, and engaged in farming.  He subsequently moved to Smith county, and lived five years, and then returned to Upshur county, and embarked in the mercantile business at Gilmer, which he continued until 1886, when he retired from active business life.  He owns about 2,000 acres of valuable land, 200 acres being under cultivation.  He has been a successful business man, and now , in the evening of life, can look back and view with satisfaction the path he has trod, and can enjoy the property that has come as a reward for a life of industry, enterprise and integrity.  In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, in Company C, Twenty- second Texas infantry, commanded by Colonel Hubbard, and was appointed first lieutenant of his company.  He was wounded at Jenkin's Ferry, but on his recovery rejoined his company and served till the final surrender in 1865.  August 19, 1848, Captain Boyd married Margaret E. Moseley, daughter of Mason Moseley, a native of Alabama, and to them have been born twelve children: Levina P., Letitia J., James W., Mary V., Walter, Jr., Maggie I., Alabama T., May, Emma, Bessie and two that died in infancy.  Captain Boyd has a wide acquaintance in the State of Texas, and is an honored citizen of the Lone Star State.
 

Source: Biographical Souvenir Of The State Of Texas, F.A. Battey & Company of Chicago,1889: containing biographical sketches of the representative public, and many early settled families. Includes index. FHL Film #547587

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