Dear Researchers of Lewis County, Kentucky, Captain John Boyle [Steamboat Captain in antebellum days] lived in Quincy, Lewis County, Kentucky from at least 1850 to about 1875. In and around 1860, he owned a store with Henry McKee. As such, they were called "Tradesmen" by occupation. The most glorified job on a steamboat was that of the Captain. On western rivers, the Captain usually owned his steamboat, and made it his business to keep in touch with nearly everything that kept his boat going. The Captain regularly checked on the machinery and paid the fuel and repair bills. He ordered food for the kitchen, including CIGARS for his passengers. The Captain made business deals that provided goods and freight [including TOBACCO] for his boat to carry. And, the Captain had to be friendly with the passengers in order to keep them happy. The source for this information on Steamboat Captains was "West by Steamboat" by Tim McNeese, 1993. Did Captain John Boyle and Henry McKee own a steamboat during the time they were Tradesmen in Quincy? Are there records of steam vessel operating permits in Lewis County, Kentucky? Randal W. Cooper, Researcher of Captain John Boyle [1825-1901] <[email protected]> Lorain, Ohio