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JOHN R. BOYD, M.D. It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move life of ceaseless activity and a large professional success; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Boyd has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Boyd has achieved success and his present eminent standing among the leading medical men of southwest Missouri is duly recognized and appreciated, not only in Springfield and Greene county, where he has been engaged in the practice for the past score of years, but also throughout this section of the state.
Dr. John R. Boyd was born in Logan county, Kentucky, December 16, 1854. He is the son of R. G. H. and Isabella (Herndon) Boyd, both natives of Kentucky.
The father was a land owner and ranked among the leading citizens of his community. His wife's people, the Herndons, were also extensive land owners in the Blue Grass state. The death of Mrs. Boyd occurred when her son, John R.. was only six weeks old. She was a devout member of the Baptist church. To R. G. H. Boyd and wife four sons and four daughters were born. Three sons and one daughter survive. The living daughter makes her home in Lawton, Oklahoma. Our subject's surviving brothers are engaged -in farming in Kentucky and Oklahoma.
Doctor Boyd grew up on the farm and received his early education in the common schools and in Auburn Academy. He remained in Kentucky until 1879, when he came to Jackson county, Missouri, where he taught school and began reading medicine. He spent one year in the Bellevue Medical Hospital College of New York City-and completed his medical education in the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1886, later taking a post-graduate course from the Post Graduate School in Chicago, also a post-graduate course from the Polyclinic Institute of Chicago. He began the practice of his profession at Butler, Bates county, Missouri, in 1886, where he remained until 1895, when, seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he removed to Springfield and has since been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine, being successful from the first, and during this period of nearly twenty years has occupied an envied position among his professional brethren.
In 1901 Doctor Boyd was elected state medical director of the Modern Woodmen of America, which important office he still holds with much credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was one of the promoters of the Missouri Fidelity and Casualty Company, at the organization of which he was elected a director, also medical director, and in 1912 was elected president of the company. He is now a director of the Southern Surety Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Several years ago he was president of the Greene County Medical Society for one term. He still holds membership in the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, and the Missouri State Medical Association. Doctor Boyd was one of the founders of the Springfield Hospital, and has been a director in the same from the first, and for the first few years was treasurer and is now secretary of the same. He maintains a modern suite of rooms in the Holland building, Springfield. He has been very successful in a financial way and has been interested in numerous business enterprises and has been influential in the latter-day upbuilding of the Queen City. Politically, he has always been a stanch Democrat and, fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Council and the Royal Arch degrees. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and has always been interested in lodge affairs.
Doctor Boyd was married in 1883 to Nannie M. Montgomery, of Lebanon ,Kentucky, in which state she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a daughter of a farmer and stockman and an excellent old family. She has been prominent in the best social circles since coming to Springfield, and is an active member of several clubs.
The union of Doctor Boyd and wife has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Lillian Boyd. She is a young lady of exceptional talent and refinement. She was graduated from the Academy of Drury College and afterward received the degree of A. B. Cum Lauda from that college.
Miss Boyd spent a year at the College of Hawaii, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, where she specialized in science, taking the degree of B.S. She was an enthusiastic member of the college fraternities, Mu Beta and Ph Bi Phi.
The Doctor is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, at once impressing you with his polished Southern manners, his directness, frankness and learning, also his unpretentious simplicity.
[970-972]
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