John R. Boyd, M. D., was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., in 1850, and is the son of Jeremiah andMary M. (Fitzimmons) Boyd, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Jeremiah came to Tennessee when a young man, and located at Jonesboro, Washington County, where he followed the cabinet maker’s trade all his life, and is at present a citizen of that place. The mother died in 1885. The subject of this sketch was reared in Jonesboro, Tenn., and attended Martin Academy at that place, and at the Kingston schools. After finishing school he learned the cabinet maker’s trade under his father, and worked at the same for a period of seven years, and then read medicine at Jonesboro under Dr. Wheeler. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md., from which he graduated in 1870. He then practiced his profession at Jonesboro for about a year, and his health failing him lie next removed to the country. In the spring of 1874 he removed to Greenville, and began practicing, and has continued uninterruptedly up to the present. He is one of the most skilled surgeons in this section of the country, and as such stands at the head of his profession in Greene County, while as a physician of learning and experience he ranks with the leading ones of the country, having a large and increasing practice. In the fall of 1882 he formed a co-partnership with W. C. Brown, and engaged in the drug business at Greeneville, under the firm name of Boyd & Brown. In March, 1887, Mr. Brown retired from the firm, his successor being John Parks and under the firm name of Boyd & Park the business is now Conducted. This firm’s, establishment is one of the most complete drug houses to be found in the State outside of the large cities. A complete line of drugs and fancy goods is carried, and a prescription department is also conducted, being in charge of an able and competent prescriptionist. A large and beautiful mineral water fountain forms quite a summer feature of the establishment, and a line of fine cigars is also carried. Our subject was united in marriage in the fall of 1872 to Ellen Byrd, who was born in Washington County, Tenn., in 1861, and is the daughter of Amos Byrd. To this union five children have been born.
