William H. Boyd
That the Cleveland bar contains some of the ablest and brightest minds of the legal profession in America is a statement requiring no special proof. Among so many who have justly earned the laurels of the profession, individual distinctions are mainly based upon special lines of service within the profession. During the twenty-five years he has practiced at Cleveland William H. Boyd has come to rank among the leaders of the bar and in the opinion of men well qualified to judge he ranks with hardly a superior as a trial lawyer between New York and Chicago.
It was the possession of thorough natural talent and hard working industry that brought Mr. Boyd to his present place rather than influential connections and bestowed advantages during his youth. He is a native of Southern Ohio, having been born at Fairview in Guernsey County, August 11, 1864. He is a son of George W. and Mary A. Boyd. He grew up in a rural community, attended district schools and also the public schools of Fairview. Like many professional men he did his time as a teacher. He taught school four years. In 1888 he began the study of law under private instruction at Clairsville, Ohio. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1890 and the same year located at Cleveland. Mr. Boyd is a member of the well known law firm of Westenhaver, Boyd & Brooks, with offices in the Garfield Building.
Though he came to Cleveland a comparative stranger, Mr. Boyd soon found himself and after a few preliminary experiences became recognized as one of the most resourceful advocates before a jury among the younger generation. He possesses exceptional powers as an orator both in court and in the public forum, and these qualities, combined with a broad knowledge of the law, has given him his numerous important relations with the legal profession of Northern Ohio. By dint of long practice he has acquired the power of swiftly formulating his arguments and is at the same time one of the most concise and powerful pleaders before a court of jury.
With him his professional work has always been supreme, and lacking the time to give to outside interests he has always declined to become a director or officer in any corporation and his public record has also been brief. While living in Southern Ohio he was clerk of the Village and Township of Flushing during 1888-89. In 1897-98 he served as assistant director of law of Cleveland. In July and August, 1891, he was acting police prosecutor in Cleveland during the absence of Mr. Fielder, the regular prosecutor. In politics he is a republican and has given invaluable service to his party as an exemplar of fairness and honesty. In 1905 he was republican candidate for mayor of Cleveland against the late Tom. L. Johnson.
On September 7, 1892, he married Miss Anna Maud Judkins, of Flushing, Ohio. Mrs. Boyd died at Cleveland September 23, 1908. Their daughter Mildred A. died January 22, 1911. There is one surviving daughter, Mary G. Boyd. Mr. Boyd is a member of the Euclid Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Cleveland Athletic Club, the Tippecanoe Club, the Western Reserve club, and is a Mason and Knight of Pythias.
From Cleveland - Special Limited Edition, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York, 1918 v.1