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Boyce was born in a small, rural Pennsylvania town on June 16, 1858. In the backcountry days of his childhood, Boyce acquired a love for the outdoors and a tremendous work ethic. He attended the Wooster Academy ( Ohio) in 1878, then went to Chicago to become a salesman. Boyce was both a shrewd salesman and a quick learner, and people were drawn to his extroverted personality. He moved from city to city rapidly, unsatisfied with staying in one place.
As Boyce traveled, he left in his wake many things. In Winnipeg, Manitoba he founded a newspaper that lasted for 70 years, and in Lisbon, North Dakota he founded the Dakota Clipper. In New Orleans he managed the New Orleans Cotton Exposition. Boyce was married in 1883 to Mary Jane Deacon, a woman also experienced in the ways of the outdoors. As Boyce's enterprises grew, he insisted on the welfare of delivery boys, and had as many as 30,000 in his employment. Working with them may have helped him gain an understanding of America's youth.
By the early 19001900 is the common year starting on Monday. see link for calendar) For the film, see 1900 (film). Events January January 1 Nigeria becomes British protectorate January 2 John Hay announces the Open Door Policy to promote trade with China. January 2 Chicag's, Boyce was a multi-millionaire. He had traveled the world and lived his dream, but, at 51, Boyce grew weary of financial success and turned his attention to philanthropyPhilanthropy involves the donation or granting of money to various worthy charitable causes. It is seen as a way to directly effect change in society without recourse to the bureaucratic mechanisms of government. Someone who practices philanthropy is know. He turned to his childhood as a resource, but could not find the answer--until a fateful trip to England. According to legend, he was lost in a foggy street when an unknown Scout came to his aid, guiding him back to his destination. The boy then refused Boyce's tip, explaining that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout. Soon therafter, Boyce met with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who was the head of the English Boy Scouts at that time. Boyce returned to America, and, four months later, founded the Boy Scouts of America. He intended to base the program on Native American lore.
When the B.S.A. hovered on the brink of bankruptcy, Boyce personally donated $1000 a month to keep the organization running. He never assumed the title of "Chief Executive," but asked that the Boy Scouts accept all races and creeds. After clashing with the beliefs of James West , executive head of the B.S.A., Boyce started a new Scouting-related venture: the Lone Scouts of America , which allowed geographically isolated boys to experience Scouting. Eventually, the L.S.A. was merged into the B.S.A. When Boyce's only son died of an embolismIn medicine, an embolism occurs when an object (the embolus plural emboli migrate from one part of the body (through the circulation) and cause(s) a blockage (occlusion) of a blood vessel in another part of the body. This can be contrasted with a " thromb, he apparently lost the will to live, and died on June 11, 1929.
Scouting Boyce, William Dickson Boyce, William Dickson