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.

Boyd Family Reunion - Virtual Style!

1936 Family Reunion Celebrating Grandma Sophie's Birthday!

Each summer, the Boyd clan would gather to celebrate Sophia J. Boyd's birthday.  My mom got to celebrate her birthday with her great grandma.  A special time!

We were supposed to join together this weekend back in the Boyd family hometown, Columbus, Nebraska.  I was really looking forward to meeting some of my Boyd cousins for the first time.  Several, I've visited with on-line for a year or more.  And, of course, getting to see other Boyd cousins that we've shared memories with over the years.  

Thanks to modern technology, we will get the chance to meet through a virtual reunion.   

Can't wait to see everyone this weekend!

Civil War Letters

John Boyd senior went to the Civil War as an old man.  Why?  His son, Robert Cabeen Boyd, had joined his brothers Horatio, George and John in signing up to serve in the Union Army.  

Upon arriving home to tell his parents what he had done, he was told that he would not be going to war.  He would be staying home to take care of the farm and his family.  

His father, John Boyd senior, aged 61, went and checked in in his son's place.  

We have a number of letters that father John wrote home to his family over the time he served in the military.  There are time "gaps" in these letters.  It makes me wonder if others in the Boyd clan might have additional letters to add to this story??  If you read this and do have some of these precious letters, please let me know and we'll add them to the blog so that this part of our family history can be shared and not lost to time. 

Current known letters:

February 24, 1863 - Lexington area
March 1, 1863 - Lexington, Camp Ella Bishop
May 25, 1864 - Kingston ? County Georgia
November 6, 1864 - Atlanta
March 18, 1865 - Susan Yardley Boyd dies while her husband is away
April 1865 - Furlough Affidavit
May 2, 1865 - Washington, DC
May 3, 1865 - On Board Gov't Boat - Fortress Monroe
May 3, 1865 - Pass
May 18, 1865 - Greensboro, North Carolina
May 29, 1865 - Greensboro

 

March 1, 1863 - Lexington, Camp Ella Bishop

 

May 25, 1864  Kingston, Georgia

 

November 6, 1864 - Atlanta, Georgia

Furlough Affidavit - April 1865

May 2, 1865 - U.S. Sanitary Commission

 May 3, 1865 - On Board Gov't Boat - Fortress Monroe

Pass

May 18, 1865 - Greensboro, North Carolina

May 29, 1865 - Greensboro

 

Boyd Cousins

We had the pleasure of meeting some new (to us) Boyd cousins this past weekend.  It was great to get to meet descendants of Edith (Boyd) and Otto Johannes.  Lots to learn and share with each other.  

Bob brought some interesting Boyd history documents to share.   Here's a great letter written by R.C. Boyd giving a little about his life after the birth of their first child, John Thomas Boyd.  He refers to "RYE" who I believe is his wife, Maria Briggs Boyd.  The letter also refers to a George Briggs who is Maria's older brother.  They are living at Van Meter, IA at the time of his writing.  The letter is sent to RC Boyd's sister Susan Yardley Atwater in Cambridge, Illinois.

Van Meter, IA 6   1879

 My Dear Sister
Your kind letter was received a few days ago but this is the first chance I have had to answer it since I got it.  we are well a present that is the Boy & My Self  Rye is not feeling very well has not done any thing for a month  I mean any work!  Last week our Girl left us She stayed eight weeks then thought she must leave.  Rye was not able to do her work so we came up to George Briggs & Rye is staying here I am out of a job in Van Meter.  As my time was out

here last Wednesday I commenced on another job at Desoto the next morning at Thirteen dollars a week.  He is running two shops one in Desoto and one in Winterset.  He gave me my choice in the two places & I take Winterset.  It is about seventeen miles from here & is as lively a place as there is in the west.  We will not move until after Election.  I think Rye will be in traveling order by that time.  I will have to go over to Winterset tomorrow.  I sold my house here at just what it cost So I saved the rent but had to sell my ? Will get him for A ? My cow pigs & calves for eighty dollars.  They cost me fifty dollars.  They got me this far & I had to stop & get supplies as Mrs. Briggs was away with a sick woman went last night at eleven & it is almost that time now.  Twenty four hours she is having a fearful time there has been three other nurses there & a Doctor all the time.   I got up a husky supper & then washed up the dishes like a little man.  I had a letter from H the other day he said they had bought a school house to put on my land it cost 340 They bought it for 110 George will live in it this winter You said in your last you did not think you would come out this fall  I wish you would it will be quite a disappointment to us not to have you come Do you want me to pay you anything on that note

this fall if you do I will pay it but if you are not neading it I would like to keep it  I got my house paid for a little over 200.00 I saved that much out of my wages I think that is doing very well But would not do so well if it was not for Rye
You wanted to know what we called the boy & if he ? his Father Mother & Aunt ?  He looks very much like ? & we call him John Thomas after his two Grandfathers.
But I must close Hoping to hear from you soon I am as ever your affectionate Bro RC Boyd Rye sends her love to all excuse these hurried lines Bob
Write soon

History for Another Year!

The Boyd reunion was this past weekend in Columbus.  We had a fabulous time getting to meet and know new cousins and renew acquaintance with those we met at the last gathering.  We even had cousin Jane join us via facetime from New Zealand!!  Modern technology is amazing!

 We visited the local cemeteries and left decorations to remember our family members.

Boyd Reunion Coming Soon!

In less than 2 weeks, the Boyds will be back in town. . .  Columbus, Nebraska, that is, for our reunion.  Looking forward to renewing acquaintance with those we met last time and meeting new cousins.