John Boyd b. 1802 in Philadelphia

John Boyd, Jr. Son of John Boyd & Ann Bessonet Boyd Cabeen, b. April 9, 1802 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

According to Bucks Co. Pennsylvania Newspaper Marriage Notices 1804 – 1834 John Boyd of Bristol m. Susan Yardley of Lower Makefield by C. Lombart @ Morrisville 10 – 30 – 1828 Susan Letitia Yardley Boyd

Henry County Chronicle
Cambridge, Henry Co., ILL, Thursday, Feb. 8, 1877

Death of a Venerable Citizen
John Boyd, senior, well known throughout all this region, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Susan Y Attwater in this village, on Friday morning last at 5 o’clock. His death was not unexpected, either to himself his friends, the community, for although he had been able to walk about the streets until within a few days of his death, he had suffered greatly from asthma and heart disease, and his liability to sudden death was recognized by all.

John Boyd was born in Philadelphia, April 9, 1802 and was consequently nearly 75 years old at the time of his death. He settled in Osco Township, this county, in November, 1853, and for several years past has resided in Cambridge. He was a man of most venerable aspect, and of such unfailing cheerfulness and good feeling as made him welcome in any circle to which his short and difficult walks upon the street might bring him.

We give place here to the following prepared by an intimate friend of the deceased:

Obituary
“Tell the boys of the 112th that I have just got my furlough, and have gone home.”

John Boyd has gone home. How we shall miss him. Miss his hearty, friendly greeting, his pleasant way to those who knew him best, and whom he loved. Possessed of strong feelings, quick, impulsive, warm hearted, careless ______ as to what said or did, caring little for such things as wealth, or power, or rank, or distinction; no man-worshiper, vigorously denouncing whatever he could ______ wrong; enthusiastically stood by whatever he believed to be right; despising all _______, frauds, false religion, deceit, and hypocrisy; plainspoken, honest and truthful. And yet, under all this meaning recklessness of speech, he was a generous, large-hearted, noble nature, in deep sympathy with all humanity, more especially the humble, the poor, and the lowly, not bound by _____, or form, or ceremony of church religion, his Christ was the example of a pure selfless life.

Head of a large and happy family, a friend of children, always winning their confidence and love. Patriotic, is that at the age of over 80 years he gave his services to his country, through three long years of war, carrying sunshine and cheerfulness to every soldier in the regiment that called him “Father”. Clear in his ideas, broad and comprehensive in his advice, childlike in his disposition, leading a blameless life; a large, generous, tender, able man. If there is a heaven, and good men go there, there is our friend.

John Boyd’s body lies smoldering in the grave, His soul is marching on.

Cambridge, Feb. 6, 1877