William Kenworthy Boyd

According to Boyd’s Chester County, Pennsylvania Directory for 1900-01 he was a photographer living at 614 E. Main Street, Coatesville.^[1] Because no business address is given in the directory, one can theorize that he was working for another photographer at that time. The two possible studios in Coatesville belong to Henry Oakley Mott or Robert Young, Jr. Boyd’s occupation as a photographer is confirmed in the federal census for 1900. We know Boyd dropped photography out of his career plans since, in the 1902 edition of Boyd’s Chester County, Pennsylvania Directory, he is listed as a draftsman.^[2]

What we know is that William K. Boyd was the son of Albert B. Boyd and Hannah E. Kenworthy Boyd. He was born in Newlin Township, Chester County on October 13, 1879.^[3]

According to the 1900 federal census, he was a 20-year-old photographer living at home with his parents at 614 E. Main Street, Coatesville.^[4] His younger brother John and sister Marian made up the household.

The census confirms that his photographic career did not last long. By the time the census was taken in 1910 he was a 29-year-old order clerk at a steel mill.^[5] He was living at home with his widowed mother, brother and sister in Coatesville.

On September 1, 1914, Boyd married Mary Emma Goff, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Goff of Malvern. Rev. William B. Chalfant officiated at the ceremony held at the “Gilsey” in Philadelphia.^[6]

By the time the 1920 Census was taken he had become a patrolman for the railroad and was living in Paoli with his wife Mary, their daughter Thelma and his wife’s parents.^[7]

Sadly, William Boyd died of a heart attack at age 45 at the home of his brother-in-law in Downingtown on August 21, 1924.^[8] He had not been well for the past three years.^[9] The funeral services were held from the home of his brother-in-law, Harry Lausch and he was buried at Fairview Cemetery in Coatesville.^[10] He was survived by his wife, his son George Boyd by a previous marriage, and two siblings.^[11]

©Pamela C. Powell, 2023