Homer Cullen Boardman (1849-1920_

BOARDMAN, KNIGHT, JACOBSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Representative September 16, 1920 (page 1)

HOMER CULLEN BOARDMAN DIES IN LOS ANGELES

For close on to twenty-five years, beginning with 1879 and lapping a little onto the years of the present century, the above named citizen, Hon. H. C. Boardman, and family were residents of Nevada. During these years, Mr. Boardman, in the virile days of his manhood, was one of the big, useful, upbuilding factors of Nevada's business activities and all of its public and general social affairs. He ranked the equal of the best citizenship, the history of the city reveals from the beginning to the present time.

Associated with him his brother, W. K. Boardman, his equal in resourceful business ability, a business firm was formed, under the title of Boardman Brothers, that existed from 1879 to 1902, and which did a volume of business that fairly classed it among "big business" concerns. On the first date named above, they took over a produce business that had been established by Mead & Jacobs. This businnes they expanded in various lines, especially in the direction of butter, eggs and poultry. They early erected the large cold storage buildings, now known as the Hanson Skating Rink, thus enabling them to still further enlarge their produce activities. Creameries, poultry ranches and egg buying stations were established not only in Nevada and the county, but out in central Iowa as well. Their plant with its related branches, in its day, was counted one of the largest and most successful institutions of its kind in the state. It certainly was a great commercial benefit to Nevada and to Story county and contributed largely to the substantial prosperity and growth of both.

In his relations to the semi-public and social affairs fo the city, Mr. Boardman held the high level rank. He was mayor of the city for four terms, '88 to '92, and was a member of council five years, from 1882 to 1887. He was a member of the board of education for several years and part of the time president thereof. He was one of the original trustee appointees of the public library board, was chairman of its executive committee and served as such until he removal from the city closed his official relations with the board and the library. In all these official relations he rendered most excellent service. His clear thinking, good judgment and "give and take" spirit, made him a very valuable and congenial official associate.

In addition to his local service and honors, he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the state senate, occasioned by the death of Hon. T. C. McCall. His senatorial services covered the last session of the term of 1890-'94.

And when the thoughtful people of Nevada take account of the various permanent improvements of the city, of the schools, its library and its other wholesome community conditions, they will discover that a whole lot of credit is due to the clear vision, good sense and effective influence of our old time, kindly remember townsman, H. C. Boardman, who, weary at the end of a long, hopeless illness, has laid down the mortal and taken up the immortal.

Mr. Boardman was a native of Vermont, and was born February 22, 1849, his parents being Hon. Normand and Lois Knight Boardman, with whom he came to Iowa in 1865 when a lad of six years. He was married to Miss Emma F. Jacobson at Lyons, Iowa, January 24, 1874. He was 71 past at the time of his death, September 10, 1920, and is survived by his wife, two sons, William C. of Long Beach, Cal., and Homer N. of Oklahoma City; three grandsons, and one brother, C. D. Boardman, of Enid, Okla. One grandson, Norman, son of William C., has been reared from babyhood by his grandparents. In Mr. Boardman's demise an earnest, useful life is closed.