Elmer Ellsworth Boyd 1863-1950

BOYD, DENBOW, WEATHERLY, CARTER, SCHRYVER, GOOD, MAST, BAUMAN, ENGLE

Posted By: C. Tucker (email)
Date: 7/1/2010 at 19:41:57

Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [Friday 6-30-1950] p. 5

Elmer E. Boyd, 86, Pioneer Iowan Dies; Funeral Services Sunday

Liscomb --- (Special) --- Elmer E. Boyd, 86, retired business man and veteran bandmaster, and a resident of the community since 1865, died at 5:20 p.m. Thursday at the home of his daughter Mrs. Carl Denbow, near Gladbrook. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Grace Reformed church in Liscomb in charge of Rev. George W. Biersborn, assisted by Rev. T. M. Walton. The Pursel funeral home is in charge of the arrangements and the body will be brought to the Liscomb church at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Liscomb cemetery. HERE IN 1865 Mr. Boyd was born Nov. 5, 1863, in Pennsylvania. He came to Liscomb with his parents, the late William and Barbara Boyd, in 1865 before the town was laid out and when it was known as Norris postoffice. He attended the Liscomb school and the old Albion seminary. He was an expert mechanic, learning the blacksmithing and woodworking trade as an apprentice of Jonas Wiley, one of the early mechanics of the town. When he retired from the blacksmith shop he served as postmaster for 20 years. KNOWN AS MUSICIAN But it is Elmer Boyd's record as a musician and bandman that is outstanding in his service to the community. Altho he never had a private music lesson. For more than 65 years he played in the musical organizations of the town and surrounding communities. He organized and directed bands and orchestras in the Liscomb area. DIRECTED SEVERAL BANDS He also organized the Conrad Hawkeyes, an early Conrad musical organization, directed the Bangor, St. Anthony, Union, Beaman and Minerva bands, and for many years directed orchestras in the Grace Reformed church. He continued to train bands and orchestras until he was past 80. SURVIVORS ARE NAMED Elmer Boyd was married Aug. 5, 1885, to Eliza C. Weatherly, and they were the parents of 13 children, three of whom died in infancy. After his wife's death in 1937, he and a son, Bryant, continued to live at the Boyd homestead in Liscomb, until he went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Denbow, more than a year ago, The other surviving children are Vern E. Boyd, Liscomb; Mrs. Louva Carter, Hampton; Harold E. Boyd, Sante Fe, N. M.; Carrol Boyd, Madison, Wis.; Mrs. Charles Schryver, Union, and Mrs. Wilfred Good, Marshalltown. There are 33 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Ida Mast, lives near Philadelphia, Mo. Mrs. Matilda Bauman, 96, is an aunt, and an uncle, William Engle, lives at Berlin, Pa. He was a member of the Liscomb I.O.O.F. lodge and was worthy adviser of the Iowa River Camp, M.W.A., No. 4351, of Liscomb.