Lieutenant Thomas J. Majors Succeeded by Lorenzo Crounse Political party Democratic Party | Name James Boyd Preceded by John Milton Thayer Resigned January 13, 1893 | |
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Role Former Governor of Nebraska Died April 30, 1906, Omaha, Nebraska, United States Previous office Governor of Nebraska (1892–1893) | ||
James Edward Boyd (September 9, 1834 – April 30, 1906) was an Irish-born American businessman and politician in early Omaha, Nebraska. The founder of Boyd's Packing House and Boyd's Theater and Opera House, he served as the Mayor of Omaha from 1881 to 1883 and from 1885 to 1887, and as the seventh Governor of the state of Nebraska in 1891 and from 1892 – 1893.
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Early life
Boyd was born in County Tyrone, Ireland on September 9, 1834. He moved to Belmont County, Ohio, with his family in 1844. His education was in the common schools. As he grew older, he worked as a carpenter and a grocery store clerk. He married Anna Henry on August 22, 1858.
Career
After a move to Omaha, Nebraska Territory, in 1856, he continued to support himself with his carpentry. A member of the Democratic Party, Boyd served in the Nebraska House of Representatives in 1866.
In 1881, Boyd built Boyd's Opera House at 15th and Farnam Streets in Downtown Omaha. When the building burned in 1891, Boyd quickly rebuilt a new 2,000 seat theater and opera house at 17th and Harney Streets. The new five-story structure, Boyd's Theater and Opera House, opened to the public on September 3, 1891. Until it was demolished in 1920, it hosted some of the most celebrated actors of the stage.
Boyd was mayor of Omaha, Nebraska from 1881 to 1883, and from 1885 to 1887. He was the first Democrat elected as Nebraska's governor and served in that position in 1891, and from 1892 to 1893.
Death and legacy
Boyd died in Omaha, Nebraska on April 30, 1906, and he is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska.
Boyd County, Nebraska is named after Boyd. Boyd Elementary School, part of the Omaha Public School system is also named for him, as well as Boyd Street that runs along the south side of the school's property.
From 1885 to 1890, Boyd's portrait was painted in Omaha by artist Herbert A. Collins.