CHIEF:  Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd 7th Baron Kilmarnock                                  

Richard G. and Jerri Lynn Boyd

568 W. Friedrich Street

Rogers City, Mich. 49779

John C. Boyd ~ Celia Cox

Wayne County, Indiana

John C. Boyd, who devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits and was in former years one of the leading lime manufacturers of the state, has spent almost his entire life in Wayne county, Indiana, his home being now in Wayne township.  He was born on the east fork of Whitewater river, two and a half miles east of Richmond, September 28, 1822, his parents being Adam Boyd and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Boyd, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of South Carolina.  About 1815 Adam Boyd came to this county, and later married Elizabeth Hawkins, daughter of Amos Hawkins, of South Carolina, who had located in Indiana in 1816.  About 1833 the parents of our subject removed to Boone county, Indiana, where the father, who was a carpenter by trade, died at the age of forty-eight Years.  The mother survived him about ten years, and died in Carthage, Indiana, at the age of fifty.  Adam Boyd was at one time justice of the peace in Richmond, and many old deeds and legal papers of those early days were drawn up by him.  In his family were seven children: Alexander Boyd, of Marion, Indiana; Charity Boyd, deceased; John C. Boyd,  Henry W. Boyd, of Michigan; Jonathan D. Boyd, an extensive farmer living on the old homestead in Boone county; Oliver, of Westfield, Indiana; and Martha A. Boyd.

John C. Boyd was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to Boone county, but at the age of thirteen he returned to Wayne county and lived with his uncle, Jonathan Hawkins, on the old Amos Hawkins farm, on the New Paris road.  It was the place of his birth, and continued to be his home until he had attained his majority.  He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, pursued his studies under the direction of James M. Poe, and also attended a school, in Richmond, taught by William McGookin.  Mr. Boyd afterward engaged in teaching several terms of school and then took up the tanner's trade, which he learned under Eli Hiatt, who had a country tannery near Middleboro.  He afterward worked for Wiggins & Son, of Richmond, and later, in connection with Isaac Cook, purchased the Hiatt tan-yard which he successfully conducted for nine years, making considerable money.  As the supply of bark was then limited, he sold out and in 1856 constructed a patent lime-kiln near the village of Middleboro, the first of the kind in the state.  For thirty-two years he engaged in the manufacture of lime, building up a large and profitable business.  His first partner died in 1856, and in 1858 he formed a partnership with Amos Cook for the erection of a similar kiln at New Paris, Ohio.  After the war he purchased Mr. Cook's interest and admitted Henry Downing as a partner in the New Paris quarries and kilns.  Three years later they sold the New Paris quarries and kilns to the firm of Smith & Brother.  That business had become quite extensive, turning out twenty-five thousand bushels per year.  Mr. Boyd, however, continued the operation of the Middleboro quarries until about three years ago, and by the practical methods which he followed secured a very large and remunerative business.  He furnished employment to twenty men, about twelve or fifteen being employed in the home quarries.  His farm comprised one hundred and sixty-two acres of land near Middleboro, and twenty years ago he erected thereon a large and handsome residence, which is supplemented by other substantial and modern improvements, all of which indicate the careful supervision and the progressive spirit of the owner.  He has another farm, comprising one hundred and thirty-eight acres, which he also operates, and now carries on general farming in connection with the raising of hogs.  He has invested a considerable amount in real estate, owning farm property and Richmond realty, besides lands in Iowa.

On the 1st of April, 1863, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Celia Cox, daughter of Robert and Elvira (Addington) Cox.   Her father built and operated the mill in Middleboro, and after his death Mr. Boyd and William H. Cook remodeled the mill, putting in a new process.  They still operate it, selling to the local trade and to towns in this vicinity.  The mill is operated by water power.  Mr. Cox, in connection with his son-in-law, our subject, also carried on a general store in Middleboro for some years, the senior partner being in charge.  He erected three mills, having one at Maxville, Indiana, on White river, and one in Joe Daviess county, Illinois, near Warren, in addition to the one in Middleboro.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been born four children: Linaes C. Boyd, who was born January 18, 1864, was educated in Earlham College and is now engaged in the oil trade at Gas City, Indiana, being also interested in the gas wells at Gas City, this state; Robert Eldon Boyd, who was born June 8, 1866, is now a commercial traveler, living in Indianapolis; Elvira E. Boyd died in her nineteenth year; and A. Orville Boyd, who was born March 2, 1872, is now assisting his father on the home farm.

Mr. Boyd's father was a Whig in his political affiliations, and all of the sons became Republicans.  Mr. Boyd keeps well informed on the issues of the day and casts his ballot for the men and measures of the party, but has never sought office for himself, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which connection he is meeting with excellent success.  He is a man of sound judgment, of sagacity and untiring enterprise, and his well-directed labors have brought to him a handsome competence. 

Source: Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1899. - FHL Film 934923 Items 4-5

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