Biographies - Elmira Township

Dr. Edwin Bowland Boardman, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., March 3, 1829.

His father, Orlando, was a native of Massachusetts; grandfather, a native of Connecticut, and great-grandfather a native of Great Britain.

His mother, Mary Brace, was born in New York state, to which her father's people moved from Connecticut prior to the Revolution.

Orlando Boardman was born in 1789; moved to Pennsylvania in 1828; having previously been engaged in the drug-trade in Saratoga county, N. Y., where he was married, and where three of his children were born, namely: William H., Jane E. and Persis P. Their son, Edwin, was born in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mary (Brace) Boardman died in 1832.

Five years later he married Miss Ann Goble, to whom were born James G., Mary and Margaret E. In 1840 the family moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Paw Paw Grove, Lee county. There his wife died in 1866 and himself in June, 1873.

Dr. E. B. Boardman was educated in the schools of Paw Paw, studied medicine there under Dr. G. W. Hunt, subsequently attended the Indiana Medical School at La Porte, from which he graduated in 1849, and commenced practice in this township.

His marriage with Miss Hannah, daughter of Ambrose and Hannah (Munson) Fuller was solemnized September 12, 1850. To them ten children were born, namely: Charles O., deceased; Mary H., married at Creston, Iowa; Edwin O., a physician of Osceola, this county; Nancy J., married, of Kuya Paha county. Neb.; Sarah C, deceased; James A. deceased; Adella S., deceased; George D., William H. and Anna L., residing at home.

In 1852 the doctor purchased a farm, which he carried on in connection with his professional duties. In 1881 he was appointed public administrator for this county. For forty-three years he has been a member of the Baptist church, his wife being also a member. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party; but his busy professional life and farm work left him little time to be active in politics. (Vide ch. on Physicians.)