Profiles of Prominent Citizens

R. A. BOYD, Sr.
Second Vice President, Citizen's Bank

Written July 28, 1950

A native of the state of Michigan, R. A. Boyd, Sr. was born in the town of Reeman, in that state, in 1886. He received his education in the common schools of Newaga County, Michigan.

After completing his school studies Mr. Boyd, as a young man of eighteen, went to work as a telegraph operator with the Pere Marquette Railroad in his home state.

After working two years in the cold, rigorous climate of the far northern state, and in the adventurous spirit of youth, Mr. Boyd heard the call of the deep south and promptly headed for the land of sunshine and flowers seeking a suitable location in the south that was to be his lifetime home.

Reaching Florida in 1906 the subject of this sketch secured a position with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad having been assigned to Green Cove Springs as telegraph operator and station agent. After a short while there he was transferred to Umatilla, Fla. where he remained for several years in the same capacity.

While at Umatilla he was given a relief job and thereafter worked at about a dozen different places on the Coast Line system in Florida. In 1909 Mr. Boyd was transferred to the Southern Division in Georgia, being assigned to duty at Hortense, where he remained for about a year and a half.

Early in 1911 Mr. Boyd came to Folkston, then as now, one of the important train dispatching and operating points of the ACL system, being at the Jesup Short junction and handling Southern trains as well. He continued his duties as operator-dispatcher at the Coast Line’s Folkston tower until 1925 when he left the service of the railroad.

During his long service as a railroad employee here, Mr. Boyd and his family had become an integral part of the community life, being identified with school, church and other community activities and having a wide circle of friends. Their decision to continue their residence here and make their permanent home in this city was therefore the cause of general gratification.

After terminating his employment with the Coast Line Mr. Boyd for some time did part time clerical work with The Citizens Bank and with C.J. Passieu Motor Co. In 1937 he accepted a full time position with The Citizens Bank and has continued with that institution until the present time. For the past several years he has served as the bank’s Cashier and is regarded as a very valuable and efficient employee, being held in high esteem by both officials and customers of the bank, as well as throughout the community generally.

In 1910 Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Annie Lou Robinson of Umatilla, Fla. They have one son, R.A. Boyd, Jr., now of Atlanta and two daughters, Mrs. J.L. McElvey and Miss Annie Lou Boyd, both of Jacksonville.

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