William Chaplin Boardman (1804-1884)

BOARDMAN, BENTON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/20/2010 at 23:32:23

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, May 8, 1884

OBITUARY

William Chaplin Boardman was born in Norwich, Vermont, March 22nd 1804. He was married to Mary Benton, February 22, 1831. He departed this life April 28th, 1884, aged 80 years 1 month and 6 days. The first of the American branch of the family settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts, only 17 years after the Mayflower made port in the New World and a grandmother of the departed was a lineal descendant of Governor John Carver who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Thus Thomas C. Boardman was of both Puritan and Pilgrim stock, like those rugged men he had a will of his own, and like them, life with him, was a long battle with spiritual foes. Though in this struggle he would have been the last man to claim that he was always victorious, there can be no doubt that he proposed to be a Christian man. He confessed this purpose by uniting with the church in his early life and constant attendance upon divine worship. He went to meeting the Sabbath after he was 80 years old at considerable risk to himself. It was his last appearance at a public gathering.

His interest in religious philanthropic affairs revealed itself in acts more than in words. After the departure of his wife his main responsibility seemed to be to make good disposition of his property when he should cease to need it. More than a year before his death he deeded a Parsonage to the Congregational Society on condition of receiving interest on the cost until his departure. He made a bequest of $1,000 to the cause of the Foreign Missions and willed a like amount to the Iowa Congregational Home Mission Society. He also gave $5,000 for the public library in Maquoketa, and $1,000 for the education of a son of his pastor. These acts speak for themselves. May his mantle fall on men of modest means and men of large means here and everywhere!

We shall see him carrying flowers to Mary’s grave no more. We shall miss him swinging his cane along the street day by day, hereafter. On the Sabbath his pastor will no more look down upon his beautiful white head bowed in worship, or shining in the light streaming through his memorial window. His work seems to be done but his influence will remain. His purpose to be a Christian man will affect us still. His use of his means to give this place a good Public Library will constantly bless the homes of Maquoketa and his beneficent plans will go forward on their mission of mercy and shed their fragrance on his memory.

Wm. C. Boardman Grave
 

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