Washington

BOYCE, Osmore Baker & William A.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 37-38 
(portraits p 37)

Biography of Osmore Baker BOYCE - p 37 (brother of William A. BOYCE)

Osmore Baker BOYCE was born 24 November 1841 in Newbury [Washington County, 
Vermont], son of Richard T. and Joanna (BANFIELD) BOYCE. Born and brought up 
on a farm, he received only such education as was afforded by the district 
schools. After becoming of age he turned his attention to acquiring an 
education, following any employment which offered the best inducements, 
spending as much of his time at Barre Academy as his means would permit, and 
following teaching successfully. Acquiring a taste for professional life, he 
decided on the law and read for a time in the office of his brother, W. A. 
[William A.] BOYCE, and then took a course at the Albany Law School (New 
York), from which he graduated in 1871.

Mr. BOYCE first began the practice of his profession at Guildhall [Essex 
County, Vermont] where he also edited for a year the "Essex County Herald." 
In 1874 he removed to Barre [Washington County, Vermont] and formed a law 
partnership with his brother, W. A. BOYCE, which has successfully continued 
to the present time, the firm enjoying a large practice in Orange and 
Washington Counties. Politically Mr. [Osmore Baker] BOYCE is an adherent of 
the Republican party, and has been honored with many positions of trust: 
superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, village trustee, and state's 
attorney for Essex County in 1872, and a senator from Washington County in 
1892, serving on the judiciary committee.

In June 1871 he [Osmore Baker BOYCE] was married to [Miss?] Amelia A. FRENCH, 
of Northumberland [Coos County], New Hampshire, who died in September 1877, 
leaving one child, Edith A. In January 1881 he [Osmore Baker BOYCE] married 
Louisa L., daughter of Oranell B. DODGE, of Barre [Washington County, 
Vermont]. Mr. BOYCE is a member of the Knights of Honor, and has held 
various offices in that organization; also serving as grand director, and 
represented that body in the supreme lodge for four annual sessions. He is 
also a member of the local lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows.



Biography of William A. BOYCE - pp 37-38 (brother of Osmore Baker BOYCE)

William A. BOYCE, of Barre [Washington County, Vermont], was born 03 December 
1839 in Newbury, [Washington County, Vermont], son of Richard T. and J. 
(BANFIELD) BOYCE. He was brought up on a farm, educated in the common 
schools and at Barre Academy, and taught several years in the public schools 
of the state with marked success, two of these as principal of the Cabot high 
school. Having decided to enter the legal profession for his life work, he 
studied three years in the office of the late L. C. WHEELOCK and of the late 
E. E. FRENCH, and was admitted to the Washington County bar at the March term 
in 1869, and soon after opened an office in Barre and engaged in the active 
practice of his profession. In 1875 he took into partnership his brother, O. 
B. [Osmore Baker] BOYCE, and since that time the firm has enjoyed a large and 
successful general practice. He [William A. BOYCE] has also been extensively 
and successfully engaged in real estate transactions. At the organization of 
the Barre Savings Bank & Trust Company, he was elected one of its directors; 
has repeatedly held the office of town treasurer, superintendent of schools, 
and lister, and he has also represented Barre in the legislatures of 1872 and 
1873. He is a member of Hiawatha Lodge, No. 20, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly