William H. Boyd ~ Edith Mathews

There can be no doubt but that the especial enterprise and progressiveness and activity that is so noticeable throughout the western portion of the United States, and particularly so in the sections adjacent to the Pacific coast, are due in large measure to the fact that we have a population made up from immigrants from all portions of the civilized world, as well as from every part of our Union, thus enabling all to gain the advance position in that held by each in his special line. From the sunny south land comes the esteemed subject of this sketch, bringing a well rounded personality, a keenness and advanced ideas that have let him to materialize many good and excellent things for the welfare of the county while he has steadily enhanced his exchequer in the faithful prosecution of the business enterprises that have been followed by him.

In 1837, in Mississippi, was born William H. Boyd, and there he remained for eight years, then went to Tennessee, where he grew to manhood, receiving there the training and education that fitted him for the battles of life. Following the conflict that rent the land in twain for a time, he removed to Missouri and engaged in farming there for nine years, whence he migrated to Wallowa county in 1875. He at once selected a place and took a pre-emption where he now lives, three and one-fourth miles northwest from Wallowa. He began with a quarter section, but a the present time he owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine land. He has devoted his attention to general farming and raising stock, cattle and horses. His success has been constant and gratifying and he is one of the well-to-do and substantial agriculturists of the county. He has some Clydesdale and Norman horses that would do credit to any breeder and Mr. Boyd is to be commended much for introducing such excellent stock into the county, thereby benefiting not only himself but also every citizen of the county, by raising the standard and assisting others to attain the same position. He has a number of horses that weigh 2,000 pounds each and one fine mare that weighs 2,500 pounds.

The marriage of Mr. Boyd and Miss Edith Mathews, a native of North Carolina, was celebrated in 1865, and they have become the parents of the following children: Henry Boyd, Sherman Boyd, George Boyd, Louisa Boyd, deceased. John Boyd and Mary Boyd. Mr. Boyd is a progressive and intelligent man, a capable and industrious stockman and tiller of the soil, a worthy and loyal and devoted citizen, and has in the years in which he has been domiciled within our borders always manifested a spirit of uprightness and displayed a stanch integrity, setting forth an example that is worthy to be followed by the rising generation. He is the recipient of the esteem and confidence of his fellow and the respect of all who know him.

By way of reminiscence it is interesting to note that William Boyd had some very exciting and hard times during the war. He lived in Tennessee, and being a Union man in this confederate region, he was beset with many dangers. He went to Mississippi and was branded as a Union spy and the blood hounds were put on his trail, and a reward offered for him. He knows from dear experience what it is to flee for his life. But those hard days are gone never to come again and he now rests in peace and plenty in the land where he has labored wisely for its upbuilding.

Source: An Illustrated history of Union and Wallowa counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon; Micro-reproduction of original published: [S. l.] : Western Historical Pub., 1902. - FHL Film 1597664 Item 7

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