Joseph Boardman (119524682)

Suggested edit: AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE.
Mr. Joseph M. Boardman, One of the Oldest Citizens of Macon, Died Yesterday.
END OF A USEFUL LIFE.
His Good Works in Macon Will Not Be Forgotten By Those Who Are Now the Beneficiaries of His Progressive Life.
Mr. Joseph M. Boardman, one of Macon's oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, died at his home on First street yesterday afternoon at 5:45 o'clock.
The sad news of his death cast a shadow of sorrow over the entire city, for through his long career of usefulness he had become greatly beloved by all who knew him. Mr. Boardman was in the 85th year of his age, and had spent the greater part of his business life in Macon.
Sketch of His Life.
Joseph M. Boardman was born May 10, 1808, at Newburyport, Mass. As a young man he clerked in Boston and New York city until his health failed to some extent and he was advised to come South. He came to Darien, Ga., in the autumn of 1834, and there entered the employment of Messrs. Snow & Rogers.
Mr. Rogers was the Geo. T. Rogers so well known in the early days of Macon, and whose sons now carry on the business he started.
In 1836 he moved to Macon, where he has resided continuously since. After working in the postoffice in Macon some time he set up in business for himself in a book Store on the Second street side of the old Washington hall, and had just purchased that building when It was destroyed by fire in 1856. He then moved into a store in triangular block, facing Cotton avenue, about in the location of the building recently erected by Capt. R. E. Park. In 1857, after building the present Washington hall block, he occupied the store on the corner of Mulberry and Second streets until he sold out his book business, about 1871.
He was agent for several fire insurance companies, among them the Southern Mutual, from 1854 until advancing age caused him to relinquish business. In 1887, he was elected president of the Macon Gas Light and Water Company in 1858, and remained in that official capacity until May, 1889, and was most active in advocating the building of the water works by that company.
On the organization of the Macon Savings bank in January, 1875, he was elected president and held that position until he resigned in January, 1893.
In 1840, he married Miss Marla Theresa Lord, who died without issue. In 1848, he married Miss Caroline A. Pierpont, by whom he had ten children, four of whom survive him. He was again left a widower in 1881, and the following year he married Mrs. Elodia B. Russell, daughter of Sydenham B. Trapp, a well-known resident of early Macon. For the third time he was left a widower in 1891, since when he was steadily failed in strength.
He was best known throughout the state as a book seller, having supplied the school books of that day to many of the most illustrious of Georgia's sons, and the bar and its members could depend upon finding books needed by the profession when no one else kept them south of Baltimore.
While steadily refusing the use of his name as candidate for any office, he served as chairman in the building of Christ church, the Bibb county court house, and in other ways worked for the public good. He introduced building and loan associations in Macon. He was a Freemason of high degree, and a member of the Bibb county cavalry; and afterward of the Macon Volunteers (Company B) during the war.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 5 o'clock from Christ's church, Rev. F. F. Reese, officiating.
The interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Georgia) · 29 Jun 1893, Thu · Page 1
Contributor: Nala (46984635)