Charles Ruggles Boardman (October 28, 1860 – April 5, 1950) was an American journalist, businessman, and Army National Guard officer. He served 16 years as Adjutant General of Wisconsin (1897–1913) and commanded the 64th Brigade of U.S. Infantry during World War I. In civilian life, he was a founder and president of the Wisconsin National Life Insurance Company.
Charles R. Boardman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From Volume III (1930) of History of the Fox River Valley, Lake Winnebago, and the Green Bay Region | |
| Adjutant General of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 4, 1897 – August 1, 1913 | |
| Governor | Edward Scofield Robert M. La Follette James O. Davidson Francis E. McGovern |
| Preceded by | Charles King |
| Succeeded by | Orlando Holway |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Ruggles Boardman October 28, 1860 Empire, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | April 5, 1950 (aged 89) Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
| Spouse |
Adelaide Ryan Paige
(m. 1888; died 1934) |
| Children | Robert Paige Boardman |
| Relatives | Nathaniel P. Tallmadge (grandfather) |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin (B.A.) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Wisconsin National Guard United States Army |
| Years of service | 1879–1913 (ARNG) 1917–1918 (USA) |
| Rank | Brig. General, USA |
| Commands | 64th Bde., 32nd Div., U.S. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Early life and education
editCharles Ruggles Boardman was born in Empire, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, on October 28, 1860, to Colonel Napoleon Boardman and his wife Mary Louise (née Tallmadge).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] He attended Fond du Lac High School, graduating in 1878.[4][6] He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1884.[4][6]
Civilian career
editBoardman moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1884 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin.[6] In 1884, he was the city editor for the Daily Northwestern, the main daily newspaper in Oshkosh.[4][6] In 1889, he became the secretary-treasurer of the paper.[6] From 1884 to 1887, he also served as the newspaper's business manager.[4]
In 1895, he helped found the Wisconsin National Life Insurance Company.[6] He served as president of the company from 1908 to 1946.[6][8] and president of the Globe Printing Company.[4]
Military career
editIn 1879, he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard, joining a company called the "Fond du Lac Guards" as a private.[4][6] In 1885, he was promoted to captain. By 1889, he had received a promotion to major. On January 4, 1897, he was appointed Adjutant General of Wisconsin by Governor Edward Scofield.[4][6]
He retired on October 1, 1913. He transferred to the National Guard Reserve on May 1, 1917, and was given command of the First Wisconsin Infantry Brigade.[4][9]
He was sent to France during World War I. While overseas, he commanded the 64th Infantry Brigade as a brigadier general of the 32nd Infantry Division. He was relieved by General John A. Lejeune on August 11, 1918.[4][6]
On August 13, 1918, he received an honorable discharge. He served for a total of thirty-eight years and was one of the oldest American general officers during World War I.[4]
Personal life
editBoardman's maternal grandfather was Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, who served as a United States senator from New York and was the 3rd Governor of the Wisconsin Territory.
He married Adelaide Ryan Paige on July 13, 1888.[6] Together, they had a son, Robert Paige Boardman, who was also an Army officer.[4][5][6] His wife died in 1934.[6]
Death and legacy
editHe died on April 5, 1950, in Oshkosh.[4][5][6] He was interred at Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh.[6]
References
edit- ^ "General Boardman, Former Badger Guard Chief, Dies". Janesville Daily Gazette. April 6, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved December 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Goodbye to the Guard Bidden by Boardman". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. July 17, 1913. p. 5. Retrieved December 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boardman, Charles Ruggles 1860 - 1950". Wisconsin Historical Society. August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 1571970886.
- ^ a b c "Boardman, Charles R." Oshkosh Public Museum. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Gen. Charles Boardman To Be Buried Monday Morning". The Sheboygan Press. Sheboygan, WI. April 7, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Funeral of Col. Boardman". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. December 26, 1899. p. 3. Retrieved December 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "[Wisconsin National Life Insurance Company]". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. May 6, 1959. p. 9.
- ^ Bruss, Thomas. "Organization of the Wisconsin National Guard for World War I".
