My Genealogy Hound

James Charles Boyd, attorney and notary public, of Cabot, whose association with the various affairs of Lonoke County has proven of material benefit and influence, was born in South Carolina, February 18, 1839, the son of James Washington and Dorcas Louisa (Broom) Boyd, both natives of South Carolina. James Washington Boyd was born March 27, 1817; his father, Reuben Boyd, originally from Ireland, was married after he came to this country, his (Rueben’s) wife also being a native of Ireland. J. W. Boyd moved from his native State in 1851, and settled in Eastern Tennessee, going later to its western part, and in 1867 to Arkansas, settling in what is now Lonoke County, where he held the office of justice of the peace for several years. His wife was born in 1820, and died in 1876, her husband surviving her five years. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living. Mrs. Boyd was of Scotch descent, her grandparents having settled in this country from Scotland. James C. Boyd received the greater part of his education in the common schools of Tennessee, where he closely applied himself in the improvement of the privileges offered. Subsequently he was justice of the peace for sixteen years, and having his office with Mr. T. E. Hendricks, a legal practitioner of Cabot, entered upon the study of law. In 1861 Mr. Boyd enlisted in Company B, of the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, in which he served throughout the war, first as a private and afterward as orderly-sergeant. He was in the battles of Harrisburg, Yazoo and a number of others, thirteen in all, and during this time received two bullet wounds. He was married December 22, 1858, to Miss Minerva Jane Farmer, whose birth occurred in Western Tennessee, November 29, 1842. She died December 26, 1867, leaving five children, four of whom are still living: Elizabeth (wife of Benjamin F. Hurd), James J., Milrod J. (wife of A. W. Fletcher) and Mary M. (wife of G. R. Barrantine.) Mr. Boyd was married the second time on January 6, 1869, to Elizabeth Jane Scott, a native of Newberry County, S. C, born June 5, 1842. She survived until March 7, 1889, having become the mother of nine children, only one of whom is living, William A. Mr. Boyd is now living with his third wife, an estimable lady and one held in high esteem. He owns a farm of 475 acres, sixty-five acres being under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Cabot Lodge No. 319, which he has represented in the Grand Lodge at different times. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor. Though formerly connected with the Baptist Church for about thirty years, he is now a member of the Christian Church, his wife belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boyd is one of the prominent lawyers of Cabot, and enjoys a lucrative practice, the result of a love for the profession and attention to its varied details. He is also proprietor of the well- known hotel at this place.