Tin Smith Work of the RC Boyd Family

The photo is a colorized treasure of RC Boyd at his work bench.  His son-in-law, Frank Mills looks on.

RC Boyd was a "tinner".  He learned the trade as apprentice in Oquawka, IL in the late 1860s. 

I found an ad for a tin business in the Oquawka Plaindealer in1867.  This may have been the business that he worked with. 

In 1871 RC Boyd married Maria Briggs in Swedona, IL.  They moved on to Van Meter, IA where he worked for a short time.  From there they moved on to Winterset, IA where he worked with several different seasoned tradesmen.  

Maria passed away in 1876.  In 1877, he married Mollie Smith.    She died in 1880.  In 1881 he married Sophia Thornburg.  They had two children in Winterset, then moved out to Columbus, Nebraska in 1883.

RC Boyd trained his sons and sons-in-law in the tin trade.  Eldest son JT Boyd continued his business.  According to Frank Mills obituary, RC Boyd bought his Lennox furnaces from the original Dave Lennox.  Pictured here front and center, CA Palme and Tom Boyd attended a Lennox training in 1931.

Tom Boyd continued the business with his father until his death in 1930.  At that time Frank Mills joined as a partner.  Frank trained two of his boys in the business.

We are blessed to have a few remaining pieces of RC Boyd's tin work in the family.  

Son-in-law Motto Mowery received some training.  Here's a bit of that history shared by Janis K. Dale. 

Son-in-law Frank Mills (shown in the tin shop photo at the top of this page)  "became identified with the old RC Boyd company in Columbus in 1912.  He later acquired an interest in the business and still later he and his son Roger, became sole owners.  The company subsequently became known as "The Mills Company".  

Son Ralph and son-in-law, CA Palme built a heating and tin business in Norfolk, Nebraska. 

 Current view of their business building on the very right.

CA Palme retired from business at age 65 and went to work at Tinker Airforce Base to support the war effort and worked on until he reached 80 years.

A great many houses in Columbus and Norfolk, Nebraska had their heating systems installed by these men.  They were craftsmen, businessmen and community contributors who left a lasting mark on their communities.  The foundation for their work was laid by RC Boyd.  He left a true legacy to his family and the communities he served.