George Boardman Jr.

”George Boardman Jr., a well known and successful agriculturalist of Wayne township, Minnehaha county, is busily engaged in the cultivation of two hundred acres of arable land. His birth occurred in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on the 29th of December, 1880, his parents being George and Mary Boardman. The father came to this state with the Sixth Iowa Calvary in 1861 and served during the days of the Indian trouble in South Dakota. He underwent many interesting and exciting experiences during the campaign and was fond of relating to his children the stories of those stirring times. When the campaign was ended Mr. Boardman returned to Iowa and was mustered out of service. He then again came to South Dakota and took up his abode in Sioux Falls, opening the first bakery at that place and conducting his business in a tent. He also embarked in the stone business and quarried much of the stone that was used in the state buildings in various sections of South Dakota. George Boardman, Sr., passed away in 1910, after forty-five years” residence in this state, and his community mourned the loss of one of its best known and most respected citizens. His wife was called to her rest in 1901.

George Boardman, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the graded and high of Sioux Falls and subsequently assisted his father in his work. He had followed farming on an extensive scale and now cultivates two hundred acres of land in Wayne township, one hundred and sixty of which he owns, having purchased the same in 1912. He also acted as stage manager of the “new opera house” at Sioux Falls for a period of six years and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising young citizens of his native county and state.

On the 26th of November, 1913, Mr. Boardman was united in marriage to Miss Mae Walker, a daughter of J. E. and Delia Walker of Sioux Falls. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a Presbyterian in religious faith. In Masonry he has attained high rank, belonging both to the Consistory and the Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is fond of baseball and other outdoor sports, which are his favorite form of recreation. As a lifelong resident of Minnehaha county he has been loyal in his advocacy of everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and has made some substantial contributions to its development and progress.”

George W. Kingsbury, History of Dakota Territory, Vol. 5 (Chicago: S. J. Clarke, 1915) pp.61 – 62.

George Boardman Jr. died at the age of 56 years and was buried on November 26, 1937, in Block 10, Lot 2 of the Cemetery along with his wife, Mae (Boardman) Wold who lived on until 1961, dying at the age of 70 years. George Boardman Sr., his wife, Mary, and several other children rest in Block 28, Lot 3.