Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-25
BOYNTON
DIED LAST
MONDAY
DEATH CAME TO THE DISTIN-
GUISHED STATESMAN AND
SOLDIER SHORTLY BEFORE
NOON MONDAY.

GRIFFIN, Ga, Dec. 22.-Hon. James
S. Boynton died at his home this morn
ING at 1880. after being confined to his bed
not quite a week He had been in feeble
health for several years. and his death
was caused from stomach troubles, super
induced by old age.
His devoted wife and only son, Mr.. L.
]. Boynton, of Sunny Side, were with him
during hts illness, and tenderly admins
tered to his every want. While 1t was
known by the attending physicians for the
past few days that there were no hopes
for his recovery, yet everything possible
was done. But just before noon the great
heart Of the soldier, statesman, governor
and jurist was hushed to sleep by the
hand of death.
Sketch of His Life. 81
Judge Boynton was born in Henry conn
ty Georgia, May Z, 1888. His only educa-
ton was derived from the old field school,
the curriculum of which embraced only
an elementary education His intentions
and ambitions were TO become a soldier,
but through early misfortune and the
death of his father when he was II years
of age, changed his whole life. The spirit
which made the man shone out clear and
bright in the boy, and, undaunted by early
discouragements, he persevered in his
studies, and finally, in 1852, after drifting
about the state without any definite plans
he located at Cave Springs and attended
the Hearne school until his meagre hoard
compelled him to make other plans. He
then returned to Henry county and COM
menced the study of law under Colonel l..
T. Doyal,- prominent lawyer of McDon-
ough. After ten weeks hard study, he
was admitted to the bar by the superior
court of Henry county, and received the
congratulations of the judge and entire
bar upon the thoroughness of his prepa-
ration. He commenced to practice at Mon
ticello, Ca. where. he practiced until jan
uary. 1855 when he removed to Jackson.
Butts county, and formed a partnership
with Colonel James r. Lyons. In 1860 he
was elected ordinary of Butts county.
At the outbreak of the civil war he en-
listed as a private in the 30th Georgia
regiment, ana after seven months service
was elected major of the regiment. In De-
cember, 1862, he was appointed lieutenant
colonel. and upon the serious wounding
of Colonel Mangham he was promoted to
colonel. Judge Boynton was seriously
wounded at the battle of Chickamauga,
his life hanging by thread for months,
and being reduced in flesh to ninety
pounds This detained him from his regi-
ment until January, 1865, when he rejoin-
ed his men and remained with them until
they disbanded. enduring every hardship
that the privates of his regiment suffered.
with characteristic kindness and SYM
pathy. =.
The Judge then came to Grifin and re-
sumed the practice of his profession, hav-
ing moved his family here In 1865. In 1866
he was elected county judge. From 1863 to
1872 he was mayor Of Griffin, In 1880 he
was electedastate SENATOR and was mani
mously chosen. president Of that body and
ex-officio lieutenant governor, which
Office he held for four years. The judge
was governor for a time after the
death Of Governor A. II. Stephens, in 1883.
He was appointed judge of the superior
court in 1856 and was three times re-eiect-
ed to that important position. resigning in
April, 1893 In 1896 he was elected to rep
resent this county in the lower house of
the legislature, after which he retired to
private life and again took up the practice
of his chosen profession. For several
years he had been in feeble health and
unable 10 give much attention to business,
but whenever his venerable and kindly
face appeared in court or upon the streets
he was Immediately surrounded by loving
friends, who considered it an honor to
shake his hand again Duty was the
watchword of his life, and he passed into
the great beyond having fulfilled every
duty in life, and never neglecting one, no
matter how great the cost. He possessed
in a marked degree the old-time courtli-
ness and chivalry of manner. He was gem
erous, charitable and just to his fellow
men, and bigger hearted, Drawer man
never lived. and. GROWING 1t all, he was a
Christian gentleman. -
Such is a short. epitome OF the life of a
truthful, honest and se1f-made man; a
man honored and respected by all, who
in his ripe old age looked back upon his
private and public career with pride, for
there was not one stain to mar that grand
and beautiful record.