Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Boyd, George McCall 1868 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 11, 2008, 11:46 am Author: B. F. Johnson (1909) George McCall Boyd It is not infrequently the case that what can at the time of their happening only be viewed as great public calamities, in the light of history come to be regarded as blessings in disguise. The disastrous fire which destroyed such a large portion of the city of Jacksonville has unquestionably been of general benefit to the city, While millions in property were swept away, and in some instances private fortunes irretrievably lost the people were for the moment stunned by the visitation, but when they came to realize the situation, there was aroused within them every latent energy, and there was scarcely an individual residing in the city but who at once went to work possessed with a determination to rebuild Jacksonville on a grander and greater scale than would ever have been possible, even if contemplated, had not fire cleared the way for private and public improvement. Streets were widened, and better paved; public buildings of a more extensive, artistic and substantial character were erected. More magnificent churches replaced those which the elements had swept away, and more modern and beautiful homes were erected not only in every portion of the city that had been visited by the flames, but adjacent thereto. The character of these public improvements was extended into every section of the city, and inspired everywhere a spirit of development and improvement which has made of Jacksonville the beautiful city that it is today, which would scarcely be recognizable by the visitor of only a few years ago, who was uninformed as to the progress that had been made. The spirit of the people which was thus manifested has long existed and to this is due the fact that Jacksonville is not only the metropolis, but is of so much importance in the commercial and industrial world and is of the cosmopolitan character that it is. Commerce has long centered here and every character of industry has prospered. The shipping interests by land and sea are of inestimable importance. There are enormous exports of lumber and naval stores and cotton, and in fact every raw material and manufactured product for which this section is noted. The railroads of the southeast all seek Jacksonville because of the enormous output of her products, of forest, field and orchard and there is scarcely a line of commerce or industry which is not profitably conducted in this splendid city. Not only is every class of retail business prosperous to a degree, but there are here located some of the greatest wholesale houses in the south, notably those handling groceries, hardware, drugs, and drygoods. It is a center, too, of the naval stores and lumber industries and of many less important commercial enterprises that are more or less peculiar to Florida. In a city of such great commercial and industrial importance there are naturally unusual opportunities; not only for the investment of capital, but for the intelligent application of industry and energy. There have been, therefore, attracted to the city the most able and ambitious men not only of the South, but of many Northern States. While they came for various reasons, all who have seen fit to make their homes here have sooner or later been influenced to seize upon the splendid opportunities which are so plentiful and to become actively engaged in profitable business and at the same time in adding to their material prosperity and advancement of the section. While in a great many instances many have continued to engage in that business for which they had prepared themselves, it is more frequently the case that they recognize the opportunity for more rapid advancement and greater returns on their capital or industry and take up some other line of work. But there is always success for the man of ability and application, and adequate returns to the extent of the efforts which he expends. A notable instance of the rise to influence and success of a young man who entered upon life's duties in the humble capacity of a clerk is furnished in the case of George McCall Boyd, who is firmly established in the busy life of Jacksonville, and who has accummulated no small share of this world's goods. Mr. Boyd is a man of southern birth, and his family for many generations were prominent in the social and political affairs of the State of South Carolina. They were among the earliest settlers in the Palmetto State, and there flows in their veins blood of the best races of the Old World. Mr. Boyd is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the first known of the family in America is that five brothers came over together from Scotland locating in various of the Colonies including South Carolina. On his mother's side Mr. Boyd is of German and English descent. There is combined in him the best elements and characteristics for which the sturdy people from whom he is descended are noted. His father who was noted as being one of the most prominent lawyers in South Carolina and possibly the best equipped man in the State in civil practice served throughout the war in the Confederate army, making an enviable reputation as a soldier. For a while he served with much credit to himself as adjutant on the staff of Brigadier General Early. His mother's people were wealthy planters. Mr. Boyd was born at Darlington, S. C, March 25, 1868, his parents being Robert Watson and Mary Elizabeth (McCall) Boyd. He received his primary education in the public schools and as a youth took a course in the Darlington Military Academy. He also had the advantage of a course in the University of South Carolina, at Columbia, S. C. Having decided upon a business career, he then took a commercial course in Eastman's National Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and returned to South Carolina, where he perfected himself in commercial law by a course of six month's reading in his father's office. He was then appointed to a clerkship in one of the local courts, and was engaged in keeping books until 1889, when having thoroughly equipped himself he began business on his own account at Darlington by opening up a furniture establishment and also conducting a coal and wood business. He was more or less successful, and engaged in commerce in his native town for several years, but finally went to Chattanooga, where he held an important position in one of the railroad offices of that city. His final, and most successful move, however, was made in 1893 when he came to Florida, and located in Jacksonville. He became connected with the wholesale grocery house of C. B. Rogers and Company as bookkeeper, and was employed by this progressive and prosperous firm for a period of twelve years. He was promoted from time to time, and when he severed his connection with the company, was one of its most valued employees. He had, however, ever since his residence in Jacksonville realized the splendid opportunities which were afforded by reason of the city's rapid growth, and development in the handling of real estate. It was to engage in this business that he withdrew from the grocery establishment. He at once took up the business to which he had been attracted, and introduced into it some plans that he had long considered and was gratified with the success that attended his efforts. He is not only a real estate agent, but a dealer as well and the firm of George M. Boyd and Company of which he is the head, is not only one of the leading firms of the city engaged in this business, but is known throughout the State for its enterprise and progressive spirit. They have handled some of the largest deals of recent years, and through their efforts many sections of the city have been improved and beautified. The firm buys, builds and sells and does not confine its efforts to the people of this immediate section, but has succeeded in interesting people outside the State, and in bringing both capital and population to Jacksonville and to the State. He is also President of the Suburban Investment Company, and is interested in numerous commercial and industrial enterprises in the city. He takes a lively interest in all public affairs, and is always willing to contribute his means and his energy towards the public welfare. He is not a member of any church, but is partial to the Methodist doctrine, and is an active worker in the ranks of Democracy. Mr. Boyd was married February 10, 1897 to Meta Long Holt, daughter of Dr. P. A. and Mrs. Meta Long Holt. Additional Comments: Extracted from: FLORIDA EDITION MAKERS OF AMERICA AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS VOL. III. Published under the patronage of The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida ADVISORY BOARD: HON. W. D. BLOXHAM COL. FRANK HARRIS HON. R. W. DAVIS SEN. H. H. McCREARY HON. F. P. FLEMING W. F. STOVALL C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY 1909 A. B. CALDWELL ATLANTA, GA. COPYRIGHT 1909 B. F. JOHNSON Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/duval/photos/bios/boyd61gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/duval/bios/boyd61gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/flfiles/ File size: 9.5 Kb