Jessie Fremont Boyd was born on Dec. 20, 1864 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Her parents were John and Isabella George Boyd. She was a namesake of Jessie Benton Fremont, daughter of a prominent Missouri politician and wife of John Charles Fremont who ran unsuccessfully for the US Presidency in 1856. She had three brothers: Nelson, Charles, And William Boyd. In 1868, when Jessie was four, her family moved to Chillicothe, Mo. In 1884-1885, Jessie attended the New England Conservatory. She studied piano with George Howard and voice with J.M. Wheeler. In 1888, Jessie met her future husband Frank, who was the brother of Jessie's Conservatory friend Eva Woodworth. Prior to her marriage to Frank Woodworth, Jessie attended a school in Camden Point, Mo., where she studied German. In 1888, Jessie accepted a teaching position in White Springs, Fla., but apparently was ill during her time there. She traveled to Cuba and wrote several newspaper articles detailing her adventures there. In 1890, Jessie married Frank Woodworth in Chillicothe, with Eva as a bridesmaid. The couple settled in Chattanooga, where Frank had a hardware business. They had two daughters, lora and Isabel, who both became accomplished pianists. Jessie was a founding member of Chattanooga's Music Club and held a paid position in the Catholic parish's choir/quartette. In addition, she was an active member of the Women's Club in Chattanooga, in which she held the position of President and later Chairperson of the Committee on Education. In early 1904, Jessie became ill and died eight months later. The cause of her death was found to be rheumatic fever that she had contracted during childhood.
From the description of Jessie Fremont Boyd collection, 1884-1885 [microform]. (New England Conservatory of Music). WorldCat record id: 164306909
From the description of Jessie Fremont Boyd collection, 1884-1885. (New England Conservatory of Music). WorldCat record id: 164298401
