James E. Boyd

James Edward Boyd (born September 9, 1834 in County Tyrone , Ireland , † April 30, 1906 in Omaha , Nebraska ) was an American politician of the Democratic Party and between 1892 and 1893 the eighth governor of the state of Nebraska.

Early years and political advancement

James E. Boyd first attended schools in his Irish homeland. In 1844 the family immigrated to Ohio . There Boyd completed his schooling. In 1856 he moved to Omaha , Nebraska. There he worked in various professions: he was a carpenter, rancher and contract worker for the railroad. In 1866 he was elected to the Nebraska House of Representatives. In 1871 and 1876 he was a member of two assemblies to revise the state constitution. He was on the city council of Omaha and between 1881 and 1883 and again from 1885 to 1887 mayor of that city. In 1884, 1888 and 1892 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions , each of which Grover Cleveland was nominated as a presidential candidate.

Boyd also sat on the Democratic National Committee between 1884 and 1892 . In 1890 he was nominated by his party for governor of Nebraska. No Democratic member had been elected governor since Nebraska joined the United States in 1867. James Boyd was the first to beat Republican incumbent John M. Thayer in the election.

Governor of Nebraska

James Boyd should have started his new office in January 1891. The defeated candidate John Thayer challenged the validity of the election by questioning Boyd's nationality. This had immigrated from Ireland; but there was apparently no evidence of his American citizenship. The case had to be decided by the Supreme Court . Governor Thayer was to remain in office until the court ruled. The Supreme Court ruled in Boyd's favor in February 1892, but by that time he was halfway through his term of office. He could then serve as governor between February 8, 1892 and January 13, 1893. That left him with little time for major political changes. After all, the control laws of the railways were improved.

Another résumé

After the end of his brief tenure, Boyd twice ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress . In 1894 he retired from politics. James Boyd died on April 30, 1906 and was buried in Omaha. He was married to Anna H. Henry, with whom he had five children. The Boyd County , Nebraska was named in his honor after him.

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personal data
SURNAME	Boyd, James E.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	September 9, 1834
PLACE OF BIRTH	County Tyrone , Ireland
DATE OF DEATH	April 30, 1906
Place of death	Omaha , Nebraska