Boyd, Franklin R.

COOPER, SPAULDING, VOSSELER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/15/2010 at 19:05:23

Through years of active connection with mercantile interests, of Horton, Franklin R. Boyd has commanded the unqualified respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and gained the success which places him in the front ranks of representative and able business men. His name has come to be regarded as synonymous with progress and development, for he is always active in the support of public movements and projects, his activities extending to many fields and touching closely the permanent interests of the community. He is head of the Boyd mercantile Company, operating one of the finest and most up-to-date department stores in this part of Bremer county. He was born in Rock Grove, Stephenson county, Illinois, June 26, 1873, and is a son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Cooper) Boyd, the former born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and the latter in Kentucky. The grandfather, John Boyd, was born in Ireland and in his early years came to America, settling first in Ohio, where he was a pioneer. In the '50s he moved to Illinois and there remained until his death in 1883. Franklin Boyd, father of the subject of this review, is a veteran of the Civil war and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his early years he followed the carpenter's and builder's trades, engaging in these occupations until he came to Iowa in 1883. He located first in Plainfield and there turned his attention to the mercantile business, following this occupation until he retired from active life.

Franklin R. Boyd is the eldest in a family of three children. He spent his school days in Plainfield and after laying aside his books learned the mercantile business, following this occupation until he retired from active life.

Franklin R. Boyd is the eldest in a family of three children. He spent his school days in Plainfield and after laying aside his books learned the mercantile business under his father. In 1897 he bought an interest in the general store at Horton conducted by C.C. Spaulding, and two years later purchased his partner's interest, continuing the enterprise under the name of the Boyd Mercantile Company. The main store is forty-six by seventy feet in dimensions and there are besides three warehouses, one sixteen by sixty feet, another twenty-four by forty feet and another twenty-four by sixty. The Boyd Mercantile Company deals in everthing from needles to automobiles, and it has a well assorted stock in every department, including groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes. The company carries also farm machinery and is the agent for the Studebaker and Ford automobiles. Mr. Boyd has built up this business by his own well directed efforts, making it one of the large mercantile enterprises in this vicinity and important as a factor in the general commercial development of the community. He is a progressive, farsighted and resourceful business man and holds a high place in business circles.

In 1896 Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Olive Vosseler, a native of Polk township, this county, and a daughter of Nelson Vosseler, who was born in New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have two children, Lucille and Ruth, who are attending school. Mr. Boyd is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a progressive member of the school board. Trustworthy and able in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal to all obligations of life, he has thus displayed many good qualities which have gained him high regard.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914