Hon. Henry M. Boardman, farmer, residing on section 4, Paw Paw Township, is the owner of 437 acres in that township and 320 acres in Pocahontas Co., Iowa. He is the son of Charles G. and Submit (Watkins) Boardman and was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 12, 1831.
When Henry was five years old, his parents moved to Rutland, his native county, and he received his education in the public and high schools of that place. His days of minority were passed on the farm. In 1854, he came to this State and employed by a marble firm at Joliet for about 15 months. In the spring of 1855 he came to Paw Paw Township, this county, and purchased the farm on which he at present resides.
Mr. Boardman was married Feb. 6, 1855, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Wait and Mary (Bacon) Chatterton. She was born in Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., Aug. 15, 1833. Two children were born of their union: Francis A. , May 23, 1862, married George S. Hyde, a farmer residing in Paw Paw Township; Jennie M., born March 17, 1867, died Oct. 19, 1867. Mrs. Boardman died July 30 1867, and Mr. B. formed a second matrimonial alliance Nov.18, 1868, in Paw Paw Township, with Miss Christianna, daughter of Norman H. and Catharine (Hart) Powers. She was born in Earl, LaSalle County, this State, Feb. 22, 1846, and came to this county with her parents in 1848. Four children were the issue of their union, namely: Ellen, born July 5, 1874; Norman H. and Catharine S. (twins), born Aug. 10, 1876; and Charles W., born Nov. 11, 1881.
Politically Mr. Boardman is a Republican, and has held several important official positions, as well as minor offices. In 1882 he was elected to the State Legislature from the 17th District, on the Republican ticket, and served in the term of 1882 -3, with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to his constituents. He has served eight terms as Assessor and five terms as Supervisor of Paw Paw Township.
Mr. Boardman is one of those who have accumulated their possessions through honest industry and fair dealing, and is a respected and esteemed citizen of the county. He and his wife are both members of the Congregational Church at Paw Paw.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County Illinois; Chapman Brothers, 1885, Chicago, IL
