James E. Boyd (politician)

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

Early years and political rise

James Boyd first visited the schools in his Irish homeland. In 1844 the family emigrated to Ohio. There Boyd completed his education. In 1856 he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. There he worked in various professions: He was a carpenter, ranchers and contract workers for the railroad. In 1866 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Nebraska. In the years 1871 and 1876 he was a member of two meetings 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 this city. In the years 1884, 1888 and 1892 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, on each of which Grover Cleveland was nominated as a presidential candidate.

Boyd sat 1884-1892 in the Democratic National Committee. In 1890 he was nominated by his party for the office of governor of Nebraska. Since the accession of Nebraska to the United States in 1867, no member of the Democrats had yet been elected governor. James Boyd became the first, the Republican incumbent John M. Thayer to beat in the election.

Governor of Nebraska

James Boyd was supposed to take up his new post in January 1891. However, the losing candidate John Thayer challenged the validity of the election by asking the nationality of Boyds in question. This had immigrated from Ireland; but there was apparently no evidence of his American nationality. The case had to be decided by the Supreme Court. Until the decision of the Court of Governor Thayer should remain in office. The Supreme Court ruled in February 1892 in favor of Boyd, but at this time the half of his term had elapsed. He could then officiate between 8 February 1892 to 13 January 1893 as governor. So it was not much time for major policy changes. After all, the control laws of the railways have been improved.

Further CV

After the end of his brief tenure, Boyd applied twice 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.