Biography
of
Rhey Boyd

Source; Biographical Sketches from, "Kentucky, History of the State"
Main Author; William Henry Perrin 1887
Submitted by: Vera Burnham
June 15, 2002

Page 284

Rhey Boyd, a lawyer of Paducah, is a son of Hon. Linn Boyd, well known in Kentucky politics and was born in the city of Paducah, April 14, 1853. His father, Linn Boyd, was a native of Nashville, Tenn., born in 1800 ; moved to Kentucky in early manhood, and in 1827 was elected to the legislature from Calloway, Graves, Hickman and McCracken Counties ; in 1828 and 1829, from Calloway; in 1831, from Trigg County; from 1835 t0 1837, served in Congress from the first district; re-elected in 1839, and continued to serve by re-election until 1855, the last four years of which time he was Speaker of the House of Representives. In 1859 he was elected lieutenant-governor of Kentucky on the Democratic ticket, but died before entering the office at Paducah, December 17, 1859. Rhey Boyd was educated in the schools of Paducah, until he was fifteen years of age, when he entered the university of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Ind., where he graduated in the classical course in 1871. He then entered the law office of Judge L.D. Husbands, as a student, and the following year was admitted to the bar. Mr. Boyd is a man of whom the Paducah bar feel justly proud, being regarded by his legal brethren as possessed of more than ordinary ability and in consequence of his determination to adhere to his profession gives promise of a brilliant record. He weilds a political influence which is enjoyed by the Democratic party. He was assistant district elector of his district in the convention of 1876, a member of the Democratic Electorial College of 1884. His mother who is now a resident of Paducah, is a daughter of James Rhey of Pennsylvania.