Gen. John W. Boyd, NY to Wisconsin

John W. Boyd was born in Charlton, New York in 1811, son of John L. Boyd
and Ann Logan, and who had been a prominent community leader, renowned
for his strong religious and political convictions and a one-time member of the
legislature of the state of New York.

John W. Boyd went to Wisconsin in 1844 where he bought 130 acres of prime bottom land. He added to the property during the next twenty years until he had a farm of 320 acres in total.

John W. Boyd served as board member Linn, WI, County State Rep (1846) and helped draft the State's constitution, he was a democratic member of the senate in 1848 and changing parties became a republican senator in 1857. He was always known as General John W. Boyd when Governor Dodge appointed him Major General of the third Division of the Wisconsin Militia. In 1876 he was nominated for candidate for the US House and missed nomination by one vote.

He was a longstanding elder in the Congregational Church, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the Sons of Temperence. He was a founder of Lake Geneva Seminary. He was also a long standing member of the School Board.

He was married three times; the 1st wife died after a year of marriage, the second wife died in 1855 leaving three daughters, Julia, Helen and Carrie who were sent back east to be raised. Third marriage was to Persis A. Buell a widow, by whom he had three more daughters, Louise, Alice, and Florence. Of the latter three girls only Louise married. In 1899 she married Nathan Dickinson. (The article didn't mention the names of the first three daughters).

John W. Boyd died at the age of 81 in 1892.

The original Boyd home is still owned by the family (more than 130 years) and is now a Bed and Breakfast. It is known as Gen. Boyd's Bed & Breakfast and is in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

This article appeared in the Walworth County, Wisconsin newspaper.

JOHN W. BOYD - NY to WI

JOHN W. BOYD was born in Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, 15 Sep 1811. He was the son of JOHN L. BOYD, of Solon, Cortland County, in that state. He received a common school and academic education, and spent his early life in Cortland County, till 1844, devoted to farming, excepting four years, in which he was engaged in mercantile business, at Cincinnati, in that county. He settled in Wisconsin, at Geneva, Walworth County, in 1844, where he has ever since resided; and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1846, he was elected as a representative from the county of Walworth, to the first Constitutional Convention, and served on the committee on the executive of the state. He ranked among the substantial members of that body, exercising at all times, a remarkable degree of common sense, a practical knowledge of affairs, and giving constant attention to duties, rendered him a man of large influence in shaping the organic law of the state. He was not what might be termed a speech-maker, but he expressed himself on many questions in a very clear manner, showing that he fully understood the subjects under consideration. Few men were more popular with his fellows, than was GENERAL BOYD. Mr. BOYD was commissioned as major general of the militia of the territory, by Governor Dodge. After the state government was formed, General BOYD was elected to the first state senate, and served during the sessions of 1848 and 1849. He was again elected in 1858, as a state senator for the term of two years. He rendered valuable service in this body, and was esteemed as an able, conscientious and influential member of the highest branch of the legislative department. Being a man of retiring habits, he has shrunk from prominent official positions, though his name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the chief magistracy of the state; not,
however, through any movement or desire of his own, but through the partiality of friends who knew his great worth. In his own town, he has ever occupied a prominent position, honored and respected by all who knew him. For some fifteen years, between 1860 and 1876, General BOYD was a member of the board of directors of the Madison Mutual Insurance Company, and was most of that time president of the company. He was a very able and faithful officer, discharging every duty with marked fidelity.

General BOYD has been twice married, 10 Nov 1842, to WEALTHY H. HATHAWAY, of Solon, New York; and again 09 Sep 1858, to PERSIS A. BUELL, of Linn, Wisconsin. It is fortunate for any new country to have men like General BOYD settle in it. Wisconsin has been largely benefited from his counsel and labors in its behalf. His record is a worthy one; every act of his life has been based upon principles of right; his character has been exceptionally pure and honest; to deal out equal and exact justice to all mankind has been his rule of action, and most nobly has he lived up to that rule. At the age of sixty-nine, General BOYD is full of vigor; and has every prospect of being spared yet many years to bless his people. His life has been an honor to his race, and is worthy of imitation by all. Without enemies, he is enjoying the sweets of old age, that a well spent life is sure to bring, honored and respected by all who know him.

Source: Memorial Record of the Fathers of WI, Tenney & Atwood, 1880,pp 47-48

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