MOGMJBoyd
JAMES W. BOYD 1847-1921
Grand Master, 1885-1886
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Boyd was still alive. He died in 1921 and is buried in Mount Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother James W. Boyd appears to have made his initial step in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication of 1881. He was Worshipful Master of Zeredatha Lodge No. 189, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and sole representative of same at that session. Evidently he made his presence felt, inasmuch as he was appointed Grand Orator. At the Annual Session of 1882 he delivered an exceptionally fine oration. This was followed by his election as Junior Grand Warden, in 1883 Senior Grand Warden, in 1884 Deputy Grand Master, and in 1885, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Missouri. His service did not end with the conclusion of his year as Grand Master. He has served continuously since on the most important committees. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1899 he was selected as one of the delegates to the Washington Centennial Memorial Celebration at Mt. Vernon, Virginia, on December 14, 1899, which he attended.
Brother Boyd was born in Laurens County, South Carolina, September 24, 1847; received his education in the schools of that day; attended and graduated from Wofford College at Spartanburg, South Carolina, June 26, 1871. He studied law at Abbeville, North Carolina, and removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, in May, 1874, where he began the practice of his profession, which he has continuously followed since. He was elected and served as Prosecuting Attorney in 1885 and 1886.
Brother Bovd commenced his career in Masonry in Clinton Lodge No. 3, at Abbeville, North Carolina, where he was initiated, passed and raised in 1874. Removing to St. Joseph, he transferred his membership to Zeredatha Lodge No. 189, September 14, 1875. December 23, 1879, he was elected Senior Warden, and December 14, 1880, was chosen Worshipful Master, and re-elected December 13, 1881, serving two years.
He was exalted in St. Joseph Royal Arch Chapter No. 14, October 13, 1882, and was elected Excellent High Priest December 12, 1884. The degrees of Royal and Select Master were conferred upon him in St. Joseph Council No. 9, November 17, 1893. He was Knighted in St. Joseph Commandery No. 4, K. T., March 19, 1886; dimitted and affiliated with Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 51, September 3, 1892.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
James Boyd was a native of South Carolina, born at Abbeville, Laurens County, September 24, 1847. At the age of 16 he enlisted in the Confederate Army of South Carolina Boy's brigade which formed under General Ambrose Wright's division of General Johnson's army. At the conclusion of the war he attended Wofford College, Spartansburg S. C. and in 1874 settled in Missouri. He engaged in the practice of law becoming one of the most aggressive and able lawyers in Northwest Missouri.
Brother Boyd began his Masonic career when he was raised a Master Mason in Clinton Lodge No 3, Abbeville S.C. and on his removal to St. Joseph he transferred his membership to Zeredatha Lodge No 189, September 14, 1875. He served two terms as Master of the Lodge.
He represented Zeredatha Lodge at Grand Lodge in 1881, he made a favorable impression since he was appointed Grand Orator at the same communication. He was elected Grand Master in 1885 and presided over the Grand Lodge when the decision was made to erect the Masonic Home of Missouri. In 1904 he was elected one of the Directors of the Home and continued in that capacity until his death.
He died at his home in St. Joseph April 19, 1821. Funeral services were conducted in St. Joseph by Grand Master Frank R. Jesse. His remains were buried in Mt. Mora Cemetery, St Joseph Mo.
