James R. Boyce, Sr History of Montana 1894 US Genweb Montana Archives James R. Boyce, a venerable pioneer of Montana was born in Logan County Kentucky, October 11, 1817. He is descended from early settlers of the Old Dominion, three generations of his ancestors having been born in Virginia. His grandfather Boyce fought in the Revolution for American independence. Richard Boyce, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1780 and was married there to Miss Mary Smith, a native of that State, her birth having occurred in 1786. They removed to Logan County Kentucky; here they spent the residue of their lives, there rearing a family of five children, three of whom are still living. He was a man of considerable prominence in the frontier settlement where he lived. He owned a large plantation, served as County Court Judge and was also Sheriff of Logan County. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. She died at the age of forty-two years and he lived to be sixty-seven. James R. was the first born of his father's family. He was reared and educated in Kentucky and was married there in 1837 to Miss Maria L. Wright, daughter of William Wright of Russelville Kentucky. The Wrights were also an old Virginia family. In 1842 Mr. Boyce and his family moved to Columbia Missouri where he was engaged in merchandising until 1863. During the early part of the Civil War he was in the Quartermaster's Department of the Confederate service and by the rages of war he lost his property. In 1863 Mr. Boyce crossed the plains to Denver Colorado, where he was engaged in merchandising for a year. Hearing of the gold excitement in Montana, he set out for this place, making the journey hither with a pair of mules and a wagon loaded with provisions and after seventy-two days of travel, landing at Alder Gulch, June 14, 1864. Soon after his arrival here he became a member of the firm of Tulle, Leach and Company and opened a store. They hauled goods in wagons from St. Joseph and Denver and did a prosperous business, getting fabulous prices in gold dust for their goods, and continuing there for a period of three years. The business was then removed to Helena and he continued in that place until 1880 when he sold out and went to Omaha. He conducted business in Omaha four years. At the end of that time he returned to Helena and invested some in city property, which he still retains and has since been retired from active business. In 1875 Mr. Boyce had the misfortune to lose by death the companion of his life, she being fifty-five at the time of her death. Of their children, be it recorded that they are all settled, mostly in Montana and are occupying honorable and useful positions in life. The oldest William R., is a farmer of Silver Bow County. Mattie is the wife of Col. Thomas L. Thuroughman, a distinguished lawyer of St. Louis. James R. Jr. is a retired merchant of Butte City. Annie is the wife of Hon. William Thompson of Butte City; and Lee the youngest, is a printer engaged on the Montana Methodist. Mr. Boyce makes his home with his son, James R. and his daughter, Mrs. Thompson, alternating between the two places at his pleasure. The passing years have left their traces, his hair is white as snow, and but that age is creeping upon him he is still well preserved, both mentally and physically, showing that his life has been one of temperance in all things. In his early life Mr. Boyce, like his father before him, was a Whig, being great admirers of Henry Clay. When the Whig party died he became a Millard Fillmore American and afterward belonged to the "Know Nothing" party. At the outbreak of the civil War while he was a Union man at heart and loved his country, his home was in the South. His friends and kindred were there and he had no alternative but to take the side of the South. During the early years of his residence in Montana, when the lawless element prevailed and the lives and property of the citizens were in danger, Mr. Boyce allied himself with the Vigilantes and did his part toward putting a stop to the depredations that were being committed on all sides. Indeed in all the walks of life he has ever cast his influence and his support on the side of justice and right. For many years he has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Steward, Class leader and Trustee. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express writtenpermission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.