Santa
Clara County
Biographies
Through a comparatively recent acquisition
to the business world of Palo Alto, John Duncan Boyd has already established a
reputation for real estate operations which justify expectations of
unquestioned future success. He is one
of the younger generation of business men who are fortunately the possessors of
unexcelled educational training, and who, with this foundation upon which to
build, are looking forward to a future of great and practical usefulness. Mr. Boyd was born in Riverside, Cal., August 8,
1872, and is the second of three sons and three daughters in the family of
James and Catherine (McIntyre) Boyd, natives of Scotland. James Boyd was born in Ayrshire, Scotland,
where he owned a farm, and from where he immigrated to the United States in 1869. Locating near Los Angeles he engaged in
farming and stock-raising until 1872, when he removed to Riverside, and set out
about the first orange orchard of the now celebrated region. He has succeeded as a horticulturist,
and still lives in his beautiful home on Chicago avenue, where he owns fifteen
acres, and is surrounded by the delights of existence known only to those who
breathe an orange flower air.
Educated primarily in the public schools,
Mr. Boyd graduated from the high school in 1891, and in 1893 entered the
Stanford University, from which he was duly graduated in l897, with the degree
of A. B. His inclination at that time
turned to electrical engineering, which he followed at Redlands and Marysville,
and later traveled throughout the Sacramento valley, locating in Amador county in 1901.
While his occupation proved a success from a financial standpoint the
traveling incident to the business prevented his permanent establishment in any
community, and he therefore came to Palo Alto in 1902 and identified himself
with real estate interests. He is
interested in the purchase and disposal of both town and country properties,
and is also engaged in the insurance business.
He has already acquired a wide knowledge of the local bearings of the
business, and is thoroughly conversant with the many claims for recognition
possessed by this beautiful region. As
proof of his faith in the future of the town he has invested in city real
estate, and owns a residence at No. 373 Channing avenue.
Pronouncedly public spirited, Mr. Boyd has
recently stepped into political prominence as town clerk, having been elected
April 11, 1904, for a term of two years.
He is a Republican of stanch convictions, and is a believer in public
service without the sacrifice of personal principle. Fraternally he is connected with the Blue
Lodge, No. 326, F. & A.M., the Chapter No. 13, of Marysville, the
Commandery No. 7, of Marysville, and the Palo Alto Council No. 3. He is a member of the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers, and of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Mr. Boyd married in Marysville, Cal., Fannie
Boyd, of a different family, and who is a native of Illinois. The only child of this union is named
Catherine. Mr. Boyd has a strong and
interesting personality, shrewd business sagacity, and an abundance of push and
determination. He is courteous and
genial in manner, impressively earnest and sincere, and sufficiently ambitious
to make a success of anything to which he gives his undivided attention.
Transcribed by
Louise E. Shoemaker, September 6, 2016.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1208. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Louise E. Shoemaker.