Capt. William Boyd ~ (1)Sarah S. Miner (2) Lucy J. Foote

Captain William Boyd, Deputy County Clerk and Assistant Treasurer of Fulton County, has long been connected with the civic life of this part of Illinois, and no public official is held in higher estimation for practical ability and fine personal character than he. He was a brave officer in the Union ranks during the late war and did noble service for his adopted country.

Captain Boyd was born August 1, 1830, in the province of Ulster, County Antrim, Ireland. His father, John Boyd, was a native of the same county as was his father, Hugh Boyd, who was of early Scotch ancestry. He was a farmer and so far as known spent his entire life in County Antrim. The father of our subject was well-educated, and when a young man taught school, and was also engaged as a music teacher and as a civil engineer. He spent his entire life in the county of his birth, dying in 1840, when sixty years of age. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Taggart, and she was born in the North of Ireland. She was twice married, the name of her first husband having been Keenan.

After the death of the father of our subject, his mother came to America with five of her eight children, setting sail from Port Rush early in April, proceeding from there to Liverpool and thence to New York, land in that city early in June. She went directly to Wooster, Ohio, and there her remaining days were passed, her death occurring in 1851. The names of her children were: Hannah (daughter of her first marriage); Hugh Boyd, Ann Boyd, Jennie Boyd John Boyd, Robert Boyd, William Boyd and James Boyd. John died in County Antrim, and the others came to America. Hannah died a few years after her arrival here; Ann married Hugh Price and settled near Columbus, Ohio; Jennie married Joseph Woods and settled near Gallion, Ohio; Hugh located in Wooster and died there; Robert also died in Wooster; James located in Columbus.

The subject of this biographical sketch was but twelve years old when he came to America with his mother. As she was in limited circumstances, the brave, manly little lad had to set about earning his own living at an early age. When he was thirteen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of a shoemaker, and followed that until 1849. In that year he went to Columbus, and in 1857 came from that city to Lewistown where he was engaged at his trade until 1862.

Captain Boyd was mostly reared and educated under the institutions of this country, and early imbibed a love for it and became thoroughly Americanized. During the first months of the great struggle between the North and South, he watched the course of events with intense interest, and as soon as practicable, laid aside his work to take up arms in defense of the country that had given him a home. In the month of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in as First Lieutenant at Peoria, August 2. In November, he was sent with his regiment to Bolivar, Tenn., and thence to La Grange. In December he started for Vicksburg with Gen. Grant. Communication being cut off, Grant's army went to Jackson and there the regiment of our subject was quartered for the winter. On the return of spring, he and his comrades returned to La Grange and there spent a short time, and were dispatched to Vicksburg from that place to guard the rear of the Federal army, and aided in defeating Johnston's attempt to reinforce that city. After the fall of Vicksburg, our subject went to Jackson and fought gallantly in the battle with the enemy at that place. Form there his regiment pushed on to Black River, and rested until fall and then marched to Chattanooga, and did good service in the battle of Missionary Ridge. The men were next sent to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, and then retired to Scottsboro, Ala. A few weeks later our gallant young officer accompanied by his men started for Georgia having been sent there to attract the attention of the rebels and draw them away from Sherman who had gone on his Meridian raid. Returning to Scottsboro, the One Hundred and Third Illinois, after a short rest, went on another reconnoitering expedition, marching to Cleveland, Tenn., and back to Scottsboro. May 1, 1864, it joined Sherman's forces, accompanied him on the Atlanta campaign doing noble service in the principal battles on that long and ever memorable march. Capt. Boyd and the soldiers under him aided in the siege and capture of Atlanta, fought in the battle of Atlanta Pass, and after that went with the army to the Chattahoochie River. Our subject received an injury that resulted in the loss of one eye, and he was obliged to resign his commission and give up military life for which he was so eminently fitted. His course throughout his service had marked him as a soldier who was prompt in obeying orders, was cool and courageous in any emergency, and as an officer inspired his men to brave deeds. His superiors, appreciating these fine qualities, had promoted him to the rank of captain before his retirement.

After he left the army, Capt. Boyd returned to Lewistown and in 1865 established himself in the hardware business and continued it until 1873 when he was appointed to his present position as Deputy County Clerk, and he then sold out his business interests. As before mentioned, he is Assistant Treasurer, and has made a good record in both offices. His political affiliations are with the Republicans. Religiously, he is a sound Presbyterian, and both he and Mrs. Boyd are church members. He is identified with the Independent Order of Mutual Aid.

Our subject has been twice married. In 1852 Sarah S. Miner became his wife. She was a native of Gratiot, Licking County, Ohio, and a daughter of Francis and Myra (Jordan) Miner. Her death occurred in 1860. Of the three children born of her wedded life, two are now living: Carrie Boyd married Alexander Wetherell, and lives near Lima, Ohio; Ida Boyd married Dr. H. P. Stipp of Sonora, Cal. The Captain's second marriage, which was solemnized in 1861, was with Miss Lucy J. Foote, a native of Iowa. There are two children living of the second marriage: Mrs. Grace Lillie Boyd of Lewistown; and Willard Boyd.

Source: Portrait and biographical album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, published: Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1890. FHL Film 934984 Item 2

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