Robert Boyd ~ Mary Preston

Robert Boyd is a general farmer, residing on section 6, Raisin Township, where he occupies a pleasant rural home, and is comfortably surrounded. His farm is conducted after the most improved methods of agriculture, and he has displayed excellent taste and judgment in the details of improvement about the place. Mr. Boyd is a native of County Antrim, Ireland, where he was born in January 1831, and resided until he reached manhood and was married.

In November 1850, in County Antrim, Ireland, Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Mary Preston, who was also born in 1831, in the same county. Her parents died when she was quite a small child, and she was reared to womanhood by strangers. After the birth of their first child, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd set out for the New World, arriving in this country in 1852. Immediately upon arrival at New York, he started for the State of Michigan, and located at Tecumseh, but after landing at this place, he made the unwelcome discovery that he had but one cent left. However discouraging the circumstances and surroundings were, he did not feel cast down, but immediately sought employment of the farmers throughout the surrounding country, and was successful. The first work he secured was to drive an ox-team, the first he had ever seen, and he soon found himself in trouble. When about to make his first attempt, he inquired of the owner for a pair of lines with which to guide them. He was not accommodated with these articles, but being left to his own resources he soon mastered the art of driving oxen without lines. He lived in Tecumseh for some time, and finally purchased his first land in Raisin Township, which consisted of twenty-five acres, about four years after he arrived in the county, while he is now the owner of 100 acres, all in one body on section 6. He has had all the experiences of a pioneer, even if he did not become a citizen of the county in the pioneer days.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of nine children, of whom the living are: Emma, William, Maggie and Frank. Emma, the eldest, is the wife of James Smith, and they live near Franklin Centre, Lenawee County. In the year 1865, four children: William, Alfred, David and Addie died of diphtheria inside of two weeks time. One other child, Eliza, by name, is also deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are Protestants in their religious belief, as are also all the members of the family. In political matters Mr. Boyd acts with the Democratic party, but not to the extent of becoming and office-seeker. He is a man who is modest in his demeanor and very tolerant of the ideas of others. He is an excellent neighbor, and enjoys the esteem and respect of all the people of the surrounding neighborhood.

Source: Portrait and biographical album of Lenawee County, Mich. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents of the United States. Includes index; Chicago : Chapman Bros., 1888. FHL Film 1000242 Item 1

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