My Genealogy Hound

JOSHUA BOYD, one of Buffalo county’s prosperous farmers, was born in 1850, in Woodford county, Ill. His father, George Boyd, a native of Christian county, Ky., was born in 1816.

In 1849, he pre-empted land in Woodford county. Ill., and, being industrious, was soon in good circumstances. For forty years he was a devoted member of the Christian church, being one of its liberal supporters; also, the temperance cause received his liberal support. Honesty and sobriety were the ruling elements of his life. He was allied with the republican party from the beginning of Lincoln’s administration, and for a number of years he was supervisor of Cruger township.

His parents were Hardy and Mary (Tosian) Boyd, who were born in Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge mountains, on the Potomac river. In 1846, in Hopkinsville, Ky., he was married to Eliza J. Pierce, also a native of the same county and state; she was born in 1822, and, like her husband, was a member of the Christian church. Mr. Boyd passed from earth, November 14, 1890.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were the parents of nine children, viz. — Lucy Ann (Mrs. Major), Illinois; Joshua, John, of Illinois; Sarah V. (Mrs. Hedges); Alice (Mrs. E. M. Boyd), deceased; Susie, of Illinois, deceased; Charlica (Mrs. Miller); Peter and Belle died in infancy.

Joshua Boyd, the subject of this sketch, began life for himself in 1873, and started with fifty acres of land and necessary farming implements. In 1884 he migrated to Elm Creek, Nebr., and located on section 27, township 9, range 18 west. He now owns a quarter section, most of which is under cultivation, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Boyd is engaged in the stock business, and is the owner of some of that famous stock, La Perch (Bertrand) and was one of the first to embark in the business in Buffalo county. Mr. Boyd is a republican in politics, also a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge; for many years he has been a member of the Christian church, always willing to respond to the calls for charity. In 1874, at Eureka, Ill., he was married to Miss Calista R. Gould, a native of Virginia, having moved from Bethany, Va., to Eureka, Ill., with her parents while young. Her father, Lewis B. Gould, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1820. Her mother was a native of Bethany, Va.

Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of eight children, viz. — Clarence R., Virginia Belle, Vida Ellen, Edward O., Susie May, Mima Olive (living). Jay G. and Claudius J. died in infancy.