James A. Boyd was born at Elrod in Washington Township, July 1st, 1848.He was the son of Robert W. and Mary Loyd, of Irish and German descent. During the early years of life he learned the carpenters trade. He was educated in the common schools, and also attended Moore’s Hill College the winter of 1871-72. He taught school for twelve winters before being admitted to the bar. In the summer he would work at his trade. He was admitted to the bar May 12th, 1880, having studied under Green Durbin. He served as Deputy Clerk from 1877 to 1879 and as Deputy Prosecutor from 1884 to 1886. The 24th day of May, 1886, he married Miss Sarah E. Seelinger, daughter of the then County Treasurer. In 1885 he was elected Representatiuve of Ripley County by the Democratic party. While in the Legislature he introduced fifteen bills, which were carried. Among these were: “An Act for the reorganization and support of the Knightstown Institution” and “An Act to prevent gaming and gambling on fair grounds and prescribing penalities against officers of the association permitting such.” He was a member of the Judiciary Committee on Federal Relations. He was chairman of the Knightstown Investigation Committee, which was appointed to look after the scandalous reports concerning the Soldiers Home at Knightstown. He practised law at Versailles. He enlisted as a private in Company C, 156 Indiana Volunteer, on the 23rd day of March, 1863, and was discharged at Stephenson Station, Virginia, August 4th, 1865.