Douglas P. Boyd Background

Orsemus Bronson Boyd

Photo of Orsemus Boyd in 1861 at age 17.
Orsemus Bronson Boyd (William, Amos, Henry) was born in July of 1844 in Croton, Delaware County, New York, the son of Henry Boyd and Eliza Jane Bronson. He entered the Civil war when he joined the Eighty-ninth New York Volunteer infantry on September 1, 1861. He served until July 1, 1863, when he was appointed a Cadet in the United States Military Academy. He saw active service and was mentioned for gallantry at Roanoke Island, North Carolina. He entered the West Point Military Academy and graduated in the class of 1867. During this time he was accused of stealing money. This was perpetrated by John Joseph Casey. Orsemus Boyd was found innocent of this crime, but continued to go through West Point. He was ridiculed by his classmates and forced to wear a sign that called him a coward and a thief. On his death bed, Casey finally confessed to the crime, thus clearing Orsemus' name. ***NOTE: This scandal is explained in detail in the beginning of "Calvary Life in Tent and Field". On October 9, 1867 at the residence of James H. Gibney, Orsemus was married to Frances Anne Mullen, daughter of John Mullen and Frances Land, by Reverend Hasbronck DuBois. Frances was born on February 14, 1848 in New York City. She died on May 2, 1926 in Elizabeth, New Jersey and is buried in Treadwell, New York. Both of her parent were from Ireland and she had two brothers, one of which was named James. Orsemus was promoted to Second Lieutenant of the 8th Calvary on June 17, 1867. He served at Camp Halleck, Nevada from November 15, 1867 to January of 1869. He was then promoted to First lieutenant. During this time he was assigned to California and New Mexico. On June 26, 1882 he was promoted to Captain of the 8th Calvary. During this time he did frontier duty at San Antonio, Texas and at Ft. Clark, Texas. Orsemus died at Grafton, New Mexico on July 23, 1885. He is buried in the National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. He had three children. More on Orsemus B. Boyd

The Setlow family emigrated to the east coast from Russia in the late 19th century with their two children Joseph and Dora.  Dora was Doug's Grandma Perry (see below).  Joseph had two children, Herbert and Ursi.   Joseph's son Herbert had two daughters, Carolyn and Marcie who are Doug's 2nd cousins and reside in New York City today.  Aunt Ursi lives in Florida.

Joe and his son Herbert with wife's?






Photos courtesy of Carolyn and Marcie

Frances Ann Mullins (Boyd) "Munner"

Jeffrey Boyd sent this picture with an interesting historical note in an emai.   Orsemus and Frances had three Children:  James, Henry, and Mabel "Aunt Mabel"

Mary Campbell Holliday (Stroup) "Nonnie"

Mary Campbell Holliday Stroup ("Nonnie")  1842-1924. She was also the wife of a Civil War Captain from Ohio , and was the mother-in-law of Henry Boyd ("Hal") 1877-1934 and  mother of Mary Emilia Stroup Boyd  1870-1962.  That couple parented four children: Henry Stroup Boyd (born 1902), James Lawrence Boyd (1904-1989), Francis Orsemus Boyd (born 1907), and Mary Lydia Boyd (born 1909). The woman in the photo lived in an upstairs bedroom at 135 Boyd Street , Boonton NJ

Dora Setlow (Perry) "Grandma Perry"

James L. Boyd

Richard C. Boyd and James L. Boyd at Jack London Square, Oakland ~1982

James Lawrence Boyd (William, Amos, Henry, Orsemus, Henry) was born in Boonton, New Jersey on January 15, 1904, the son of Henry Boyd and Mary Emilia Stroup. He was married in Elizabeth, New Jersey on June 30, 1932 to Lois Gertrude Perry, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. James died on February 4, 1989 in Boonton, New Jersey. They had four children: Carol, Richard (Dick), Douglas, William (Bill).

Lois Gertrude Perry (Boyd)

<more to come>

Doug in his dorm room in 1961 with a partially completed circuit using newly developed transistors. Photo courtesy of Stephen R. Turner, who was his roommate.

Family Christmas 1986 at 1115 Lakeview Dr., Hillsborough, CA. Left to right: Tannya Song Boyd, Susan Song Boyd, Inyoung Song Boyd, Douglas Boyd