Col. Thomas Boyers

 

 

Induction Year:¬Ý2007

Lived:¬Ý1825-1895

 

Papers:

Nashville American

Gallatin Examiner

 

Born in Gallatin in 1825, Thomas Boyers had been an early and fervent supporter of President Andrew Jackson, and what he called "The Party of Democracy." After first studying law in Gallatin, Col. Boyers began a career in journalism that lasted his entire life.

 

After founding the Nashville American in 1848 and editing the paper until 1855, Col. Boyers established the Gallatin Examiner (now the News Examiner) in August of 1859. He later was a founding member and first president of the Tennessee Press Association.

 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Col. Boyers was appointed to the staff of Gov. Isham Harris, serving as assistant paymaster general and commissioned at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

 

At war's end Col. Boyers resumed publication of the Examiner, and at his death in 1895 was said to have been the oldest living journalist in Tennessee. It also was said that, but for time spent in military service, Col. Boyers never missed a week of publication during his 41-year career at the Examiner.

Col. Boyers and his wife, Annie O'Mahoney, had a number of children, including Thomas Boyers, Jr., who worked with his father and continued publication of the Examiner until the 1930s.

 

Col. Boyers wrote a "descriptive account" of the marriage and separation of Sam Houston and Eliza Allen that was published throughout the United States. He was also a long-time member of the Gallatin City Board of Education, and the United Confederate Veterans.