Illinoisan William D. Boyce and 115 years of Boy Scouts

William Dickson Boyce (June 16, 1858 – June 11, 1929) was an American entrepreneur, magazine publisher, explorer, businessman and millionaire who owned numerous newspapers in the United States and Canada. With his first wife, Mary Jane Beacom, he moved to Chicago to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. There he established the Mutual Newspaper Publishing Company and the weekly Saturday Blade, which catered to a rural audience and was distributed by thousands of newspaper boys. With his novel employment of newsboys to boost newspaper sales, Boyce's namesake publishing company maintained a circulation of 500,000 copies per week by 1894. Boyce strongly supported worker rights, as demonstrated by his businesses' support of labor unions and his concern for his newsboys' well-being.

William Dickson Boyce
In 1909, he embarked on a two-month trip to Europe and a large photographic expedition to Africa. Over the next two decades, Boyce led expeditions to South America, Europe, and North Africa, where he visited the newly discovered tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Boyce learned about Scouting while passing through London during his first expedition to Africa. According to somewhat fictionalized legend, Boyce had become lost in the dense London fog, but was guided back to his destination by a young boy, who told him that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout. Boyce then read printed material on Scouting, and on his return to the United States, he formed the B.S.A.

The story goes on that the Scout refused gratuity, merely doing his duty as a Scout. The Scout is said to have directed Boyce to the Scout headquarters where Boyce picked up a copy of Scouting for Boys and other documents. Reading these books, he expressed interest in bringing Scouting to America and was given permission to use the British manual.

Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on February 8, 1910.
 
Boyce believed very much in the outdoor activities of the BSA and felt they were necessary and important to develop leadership and responsibility in boys, especially those boys who grew up in the cities, thus turning them into men.

In 1915, Boyce created the Lone Scouts of America for Scouts in rural areas who might not be able to participate in troops, which he later integrated with the BSA in 1924. Boyce is also notable for having funded the organization and turning its ownership over to the executive board.

Born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where Pittsburgh is located, Boyce acquired a love for the outdoors early in his life. After working as a schoolteacher and a coal miner, Boyce attended Wooster Academy in Ohio before moving to the Midwest and Canada. Boyce successfully established several newspapers, such as The Commercial in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and the Lisbon Clipper in Lisbon, North Dakota.

From its start, Boyce focused the Scouting program on teaching self-reliance, citizenship, resourcefulness, patriotism, obedience, cheerfulness, courage, and courtesy in order "to make men.” Boyce founded the Lone Scouts of America (L.S.A.) in January 1915, which catered to rural boys who had limited opportunities to form a troop or a patrol.

In June 1924, five years before Boyce's death, a merger was completed between the B.S.A. and the struggling L.S.A. Boyce received many awards and memorials for his efforts in the U.S. Scouting movement, including the famed "Silver Buffalo Award".

Rep. Davidsmeyer receives Outstanding Eagle Scout Award 
The Boy Scouts of America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth. About 130 million Americans have participated in its programs, which are served by 477,000 adult volunteers.

The BSA operates Scouting by chartering local organizations, such as churches, clubs, civic associations, or educational organizations, to implement the Scouting program for youth within their communities. Units are led by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both paid professional Scouters and volunteers.

Some of our own Illinois House members have been Scouts such as Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of the 100th District who earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout in the Scouts BSA program. It's a symbol of a Scout's leadership skills, dedication, and commitment to their community.

If you would like to find Eagle Scouts in your community, you may search the National Eagle Scout database.