William L. Boyd ~ Augusta J. Merriam

William L. Boyd, a pioneer of 1882, was born May 2, 1835, in Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where his family were quartered at the time, the father being a regular in the United States army. His early years, however, were spent in Maine. He learned the tanner's trade in that state, and was engaged in the pursuit of his handicraft there for many years afterward, but much of his time was given to public service, he having been county commissioner of Hancock county six years and a member of the state legislature for the session of 1859-60. He enlisted, November 2, 1861, as a musician in the First Maine Cavalry, but was soon transferred to Company M and promoted to the rank of sergeant major. Later he became second lieutenant and afterwards first lieutenant and adjutant in Company F. He next was commissioned a captain in Company I, and subsequently became major of the First Maine Cavalry, which rank he retained until discharged. Major Boyd participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and numerous others, receiving a severe gunshot wound in the right leg at Appomattox Court House. When mustered out in August 1865, in addition to being major of the First Maine Cavalry as above mentioned, he was assistant quartermaster of the Second Division Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Major Boyd was in the army practically throughout the entire war, and the distinguished character of his service is fully attested by his rapid promotion. He was a valiant and faithful soldier and deserves a full share of the honor due to those who are dauntless in a good cause. After the war he returned to Maine, resumed his former occupation and resided there until 1882 when he moved to Fort Spokane. He took a homestead and was engaged in farming there until 1888, when he moved into this city. He is a member of the J. L. Reno Post No. 47 G. A. R., in which order he is past senior vice commander. He also belongs to the Pioneer Society and the F. & A. M. and is a Knight Templar in St. John Commandery at Bangor, Maine. He was married in Bradley, Maine, October 14, 1867, to Miss Augusta J. Merriam, a native of Massachusetts, and they have four children: Augustus W. Boyd; Kate P. Boyd, now wife of Captain Sydney Graw of the Twentieth Infantry, regular army at Manila; Beatrice Boyd, and Garfield Boyd.

Source: An illustrated history of Spokane County, state of Washington by Jonathan Edwards; W. H. Lever, 1900.[Wash.]: Whipporwill Pub. - FHL Film 1321442

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