Identity of Wm. Boyd on the 1906 Avon Park tax-deed notice
In February 1906, the De Soto County News published tax-deed notices for lots in Avon Park (Section 22, Township 33 South, Range 28 East) naming “Abbie R. Dodge and Wm. Boyd” as the assessed owners under 1898 and 1900 tax certificates.[desoto-news-1906] The identity of Wm. Boyd has not been definitively proven, but two distinct contemporary figures are documented in the regional and state records.
Candidate 1: William Boyd, Jacksonville Attorney
A strong candidate is William Boyd, an attorney recorded in Yale University graduate records as having practiced law in Jacksonville, Florida, during 1901 and 1902 (before later attending the Atlanta Medical College and practicing medicine in Micanopy, Florida).[yale-alumni-boyd] Abbie R. Dodge’s primary business operations during this period were located in Jacksonville, where she rebuilt and operated the Windsor Hotel with Frank T. Cullens. An attorney practicing in the same city is a highly plausible candidate for joint investment or legal representation on a tax deed with a major Jacksonville hotelier.
Candidate 2: William F. Boyd, Winter Haven Utilities
A regional candidate is William F. Boyd of Winter Haven in neighboring Polk County. The Boyd family arrived in Winter Haven in 1883. William F. Boyd operated the Winter Haven Water, Light & Ice Company and was related to incorporators of the Winter Haven Citrus Grower’s Association.[nps-boyd-polk] While geographically closer to Avon Park, there is no documented business relationship between this Boyd and Abbie R. Dodge.
Officials Excluded
DeSoto County records confirm that “Wm. Boyd” was neither the Tax Collector nor the Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1906 (those offices were held by Andrew Green and Henry Eli Carlton, respectively). Therefore, Boyd was named either as a co-owner of the property, a legal representative, or the tax certificate applicant.
References
- yale-alumni-boyd — Yale University. Yale University graduate records: William Boyd, Attorney and Physician. 18 September 2026. Yale University graduate records / State of Connecticut Archives
- nps-boyd-polk — National Park Service. William F. Boyd, Citrus/Utilities in neighboring Polk County. 18 September 2026. National Park Service / Polk County Historical Records
- desoto-news-1906 — De Soto County News (Arcadia, Florida). Tax-deed legal notice naming lots in the town of Avon Park, De Soto County News, February 1906. 1 February 1906. https://www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/
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Where this comes from
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- single-source — One source. Treat as reported, not established.
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Sources
- Yale University, Yale University graduate records: William Boyd, Attorney and Physician (Yale University graduate records / State of Connecticut Archives) (2026)
- National Park Service, William F. Boyd, Citrus/Utilities in neighboring Polk County (National Park Service / Polk County Historical Records) (2026)
- De Soto County News (Arcadia, Florida), Tax-deed legal notice naming lots in the town of Avon Park, De Soto County News, February 1906 (1906)
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