Bios: GEORGE JOHNSON BOYD, M. D.: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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    GEORGE JOHNSON BOYD, M. D.,
    
    [p. 191] George Boydwhose likeness on the opposite page presents the
  unmistakable features of refinement and high order of intellectuality, is one
  of Ellwood City's prominent physicians. A medical man of no small ability or
  culture, he has been markedly successful in the practice of his profession,
  and has won the confidence and esteem of the public by his care and courteous
  kindness, no less than by his energy and industry. He stands high among the
  members of the medical fraternity, and is highly respected as a man of
  enterprise, who thoroughly understands his work, and rarely loses a case. He
  was born in Black Hawk, Beaver Co., and was a son of the late Dr. Thomas G.
  Boyd, a grandson of Joseph Boyd, and a great-grandson of John Boyd.
    
    John Boyd lived near Londonderry, Ireland; when he determined to come to
  America, he settled his affairs, and with his wife, Mary Fulton, and two
  children was about to embark in a sailing vessel with his wife's relatives
  for the New World, when it was discovered that there were several cases of
  small-pox on board the ship. This had the effect of delaying their departure
  three months until the next trip. The first vessel lost all the children on
  board and many of the adults by small-pox; as if this was not enough, the
  vessel foundered and did not reach port as soon as did the one on which the
  Boyds took passage. John Boyd settled in Allegheny Co., Pa., where he engaged
  in farming. His family showed unparalleled devotion to the Presbyterian
  Church, as four sons were ministers of that faith, three sons were elders in
  churches, and two daughters married Presbyterian elders.
    
    Joseph Boyd, who was born in Allegheny County, emigrated to Marion County,
  Ohio, where he built the first hewed log-house in the county. He determined
  to have a "raising," and invited the neighbors, who responded in person, as
  there was always a frolic when the timbers of a building were raised, and
  whiskey was wont to flow freely. On that occasion, however, the exception
  proved to be the rule, for Mr Boyd set his foot down on having any liquor
  dispensed, and the men waited about until nine o'clock before yielding. When
  they did set to work, it was with a will, and the raising was finished by
  four o'clock, and that without an accident, something very rare in those
  days. This freedom from accident most likely was due to the absence of
  spirituous liquors to befuddle the brains and unsteady the nerves. Mr. Boyd
  always remained a farmer, and came to own a great deal of land. He was a
  sufferer from consumption, and his life was cut short at the age of
  fifty-six; Mrs. Bovd, who was Jane Glass before her marriage, died at
  seventy-two years of age. Their descendants of the next generation were:
  James, John, Robert G., Thomas G., Mary, and Gen. Joseph F., who was one of
  the one hundred and nine prisoners of war who escaped from Libby Prison. Of
  the above family, Robert G. and Joseph F. are the sole surviving members.
    
    Dr. Thomas G. Boyd, the father of our subject, was a graduate of the
  Cleveland Medical College, and practiced two years in Freedom, Pa., after
  which he settled in Black Hawk, Pa., where he carried on the practice of his
  profession for thirty-seven years, and became a leading figure of Beaver
  County. He not only had a lucrative practice, but also won the admiration and
  highest respect of his patients. His wife was Jane H. Jeffrey, daughter of
  Alexander Jeffrey. Dr. Boyd died at the age of sixty-four from a fatal stroke
  of apoplexy. The following children were born to them: Joseph A., assistant
  general passenger agent of the Louisville & Nashville R. R.; Thomas H., real
  estate and insurance, McKeesport, Pa.; Addison, who died at the age of six;
  Dr. George J.; Ida J., who became the wife of D. C. Kirke of Leetsdale, Pa.
    
    Dr. George J. Boyd studied in his father's Office, and took a medical
  course in Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1889; while
  a student in college he became a brother of the Greek Letter Fraternity, Alpha
  Tau Omega. His father passed away when our subject was still pursuing his
  collegiate studies, so that on his return home, he immediately succeeded to
  his father's well-established practice. He remained in Black Hawk two years,
  and then removed to Esther, also in Beaver County, three and one-half miles
  distant, and in 1894 came to Ellwood City. In this favorable locality, he
  began building up a practice, and by his constant attention and eminent
  medical ability, he has fairly succeeded, and has a large scope of territory
  in town and country. He has dealt to a considerable extent in real estate,
  buying a number of years ago twenty-seven lots in Hazel Dell, which he later
  disposed of and bought the C. F. Buchanan block of Lawrence Avenue; this
  block, 22x60 feet on the ground, is two stories high, and was one of the
  first business blocks built in Ellwood City. On the first floor is a store
  and offices, and the second floor is utilized by the Doctor as living rooms.
    
    Dr. Boyd married, Nov. 28, 1889, Jessie D. Fitz-Randolph, daughter of
  Jonathan and Rebecca Fitz-Randolph of Achor, Ohio. Three children have come
  to the household, but Wilda Fern was called home when sixteen months old and
  Helen Mae made a brief stay of five short months on earth. Jessie, who was
  born in Esther, Pa., on June 12, 1894, is a dear little girl, and the delight
  of her parents. Dr. Boyd is a Republican of no uncertain or wavering type, and
  as a representative citizen has been honored with office as a member of the
  city council, and also as a member of the board of health. He belongs to
  Ellwood Lodge, No. 599, F. & A. M., and holds a membership in the K. O. T. M.