John BOYD, a progressive and efficient farmer of Richland township [Decatur County], was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1821. His father, Thomas BOYD, who was of Irish descent, early settled in Highland county, where he carried on agricultural operations. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1867 when about sixty-three years of age. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Annie MILLER, was born in Pennsylvania of German ancestry. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her demise occurred in [January 18] 1864 when she was sixty-three years old. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. His brother Allen enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and died in a hospital from the effects of wounds received at the front on the 15th of April, 1865, the day on which President LINCOLN died.

John BOYD attended the district schools of the Buckeye state [Ohio] and in his early manhood taught school for a time. In 1852 he came to Iowa with his parents, the family first locating in Wapello county, but in 1855 they removed to Decatur county and took up their residence on a farm in Richland township which they owned. Our subject continued to follow the profession of teaching in this [Decatur] county during the winter months, while the summers were devoted to farm work. In 1878 he purchased an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 28, Richland township, and thereafter gave his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and his labors yielded him a good financial return. His widow owns one hundred and sixty acres of land a mile north of Grand River.

Mr. BOYD married Miss Elizabeth Annie BULLOCK, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana, December 11, 1841. Her parents, Curtis and Martha (ZIEGLER) BULLOCK, emigrated to Iowa in 1850, locating on a farm in Keokuk county, whence they later removed to Missouri. Mr. BULLOCK was a successful farmer and also an ordained minister of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged. Both passed away in the Iron state, he in 1898 when in his eighty-third year and she in 1892 when in her seventy-sixty year. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. BOYD is the second in order of birth. Her brother George enlisted for service in the Civil war in the Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862 and served until the close of hostilities. He was in many important engagements and was with SHERMAN on his march to the sea. He held the rank of first sergeant. John W. BULLOCK, another brother, enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in 1862, when but a lad of sixteen years, and served throughout the war.

Mr. and Mrs. BOYD became the parents of seven children. Henry Russell, who was born in 1862, is farming in Ringgold county and is president of the bank at Tingley. He married Miss Margaret EDIE and they have four children. Martha J., born in 1866, is the wife of Henry BRYANT, of Richland township. Curtis A., who was born in 1869 and is farming in Grand River township, married Miss Susan FEAR and they have three children. Ida Ellen, born in 1873, has for the past eight years been teaching in the Ames high school. Nora J., whose birth occurred in 1877, is cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Grand River. Frank and Laura, twins, were born in 1881. Frank, who is managing the home farm, married Miss Mary JUDD, and they have one child. Laura is the wife of Boyd GALE, by whom she has two children. Mrs. BOYD has nine living grandchildren. She is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her many admirable traits of character have gained her the esteem of those who know her.

Mr. BOYD was a republican in politics and took interest of a good citizen in public affairs, although he never sought official preferment. In his work as a farmer he was prompt and energetic and not only gained success for himself but also contributed to the development of his locality along agricultural lines. His demise, which occurred August 4, 1901, was sincerely mourned, and his memory is yet cherished by his friends.

NOTE: Thomas BOYD died January 16, 1867 at the age of 63 years, 2 months, and 21 days, with interment at the Young Cemetery near Grand River, Decatur County, Iowa, beside his wife Anna (MILLER) BOYD.

John BOYD, according to his gravestone, was born in 1832, and died in 1901. He married Elizabeth Anne BULLOCK on March 14, 1861. Elizabeth was born December 11, 1841, Decatur County, Indiana, and died June 6, 1922. John and Elizabeth were interred at the Young Cemetery near Grand River, Decatur County, Iowa.

Allen BOYD enlisted as a Private on August 15, 1862, at the age of 28, and served with Company I of the 34th Iowa Infantry. He died of disease at Keokuk, Iowa, on April 17, 1865.

George BULLOCK enlisted as a 2nd Sergeant at the age of 22 years on July 10, 1862 at Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. He served with Company B of the 18th Iowa Infantry, was promoted to full 1st Sergeant on February 1, 1863; promoted to full Sergeant Major on December 26, 1864; promoted to full 2nd Lieutenant on March 16, 1865; and was mustered out of service at Little Rock, Arkansas on July 20, 1865. John W. BULLOCK enlisted as a Private from Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa, on August 22, 1862, assigned to Company K of the 39th Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to full 2nd Corporal on May 3, 1865, and mustered out of service as a full 8th Corporal on June 5, 1865 at Washington, D. C.

Henry Russell BOYD died in 1938, and was interred in Tingley Cemetery, Tingley, Ringgold County, Iowa. Margaret (EDIE) BOYD was born in 1862, and died in 1935 with interment at Tingley Cemetery.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 126-29. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

American Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009