James E. Boyd (politician)
| James E. Boyd | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 7th Governor of Nebraska | |
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In office February 8, 1892 – January 13, 1893 |
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| Lieutenant | Thomas J. Majors |
| Preceded by | John Milton Thayer |
| Succeeded by | Lorenzo Crounse |
| Member of the Nebraska House of Representatives | |
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In office 1866 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1834 County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Died | April 30, 1906 (aged 71) Omaha, Nebraska |
| Political party | Democratic |
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.
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.
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.
Boyd died in Omaha, Nebraska on April 30, 1906, and he is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska USA.
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.
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