Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
John C. Boyd
John C. Boyd, lime manufacturer and farmer, was born in Wayne County, Ind., Sept. 29, 1822. He was reared on the home farm, and obtained a good common-school education. At the age of twenty years he began working at the trade of tanner and currier, and, in partnership with Isaac Cook, carried on a tannery northwest of Middleboro, Wayne County, seven years, the firm name being Cook & Boyd. They sold out in 1856 and purchased at Middleboro one of the best stone quarries in Eastern Indiana. They constructed the first patent kiln for burning lime in Indiana, and in 1860 Mr. Boyd and Amos Cook engaged in the manufacture of lime at New Paris, Ohio. At the end of five years Mr. Boyd bought the entire business, and two years later sold a half interest to Henry R. Downing, of Richmond, with whom he was associated four years, when they sold to Smith Bros. During this time the firm of Cook & Boyd carried on the manufacture of lime, making annually 30,000 bushels, and the same quantity at New Paris, a total of 60,000 bushels of the best quality known, supplying Richmond, and shipping to various other points. He is also engaged in farming, owning a fine farm of over 160 acres, known as the "Spring Hill Farm." April 1, 1863, Mr. Boyd was married to Celia, daughter of Robert and Elvira Cox. They have four children — Linaes C., born Jan. 18, 1864, educated at Earlham College and Terre Haute, Ind., now teaching at Bethel, Ind.; Robert E., born June 8, 1866, and Elva E., born July 10, 1867, are attending Earlham College, and A. Orville, born March 2, 1872, at school near his home. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Adam Boyd, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, of Scotch descent. He was married in Wayne County, to Elizabeth, daughter of Amos Hawkins, who came to this county in 1806. Seven children were born to them — Alexander, Charity (deceased), John C., Henry, Jonathan D., Oliver and Martha A. Adam was a carpenter by trade. He died at the age of forty-eight years; his wife, at the age of fifty years.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2. Pages 766 and 767.
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 and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Boyd, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of South Carolina. About 1815 Adam Boyd came to this county, and later married Elizabeth, 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, of Marion, Indiana; Charity, deceased; John C., Henry W., of Michigan; Jonathan D., an extensive farmer living on the old homestead in Boone county; Oliver, of Westfield, Indiana; and Martha A.
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 has 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 comprises 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 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, 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., 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, who was born June 8, 1866, is now a commercial traveler, living in Indianapolis; Elvira E. died in her nineteenth year; and A. Orville, 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. The Lewis Publishing Company. 1899.