Summary Information
Charles R. Boardman Papers
1896-1945
- Boardman, Charles R., 1860-1950
Wis Mss SG
1.2 c.f. (3 archives boxes)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of Charles R. Boardman, an Oshkosh, Wis. businessman and state adjutant general, 1897-1913. The collection pertains primarily to his years as Wisconsin's adjutant general, and touches on such matters as patronage, appointments, reorganization of the National Guard, and some discussion of politics. There are letters to and from such politicians as Henry A. Cooper, James O. Davidson, Robert M. La Follette, Elihu Root, and John C. Spooner.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000sg ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Charles Ruggles Boardman was born in the town of Empire, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, on October 28, 1860. His father, Napoleon Boardman, had been an officer in the Union army, and his mother, Mary Louise Tallmadge, was the daughter of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, United States Senator from New York and third Territorial Governor of Wisconsin.
Boardman attended the University of Wisconsin, receiving his B.A. in 1884. After graduation he became the city editor of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern from 1884 to 1888, and the business manager from 1888 to 1897. In 1895, he helped organize the Globe Printing Company of Oshkosh which published the Northwestern, and he became its vice-president. He also entered the field of insurance. In 1908, he helped found the Wisconsin National Life Insurance Company, of which he was director, vice-president, and from 1916 to 1946, president.
General Boardman gained his greatest prominence through his military career. Long before his entrance into business life, he had an interest in the National Guard. In 1880, at the age of 19, he enlisted in the Guard at Fond du Lac. He received his commission as captain in 1885 and four years later was promoted to major. In 1897 he was appointed adjutant general of the state of Wisconsin. He was reappointed each term by succeeding governors until he retired in 1913. As adjutant general he was in command of the State National Guard. His term of office was an important one for that organization, for it covered not only the period of the Spanish American War, but the period just prior to World War I.
During World War I, General Boardman re-entered upon his military career. In 1917 he was appointed brigadier general and was sent overseas in command of the 64th infantry brigade of the 32nd division.
General Boardman was also active on the Wisconsin political scene. He was a staunch Republican, whose conservative temperament inclined him toward the anti-La Follette wing of the party.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of one letterbook of outgoing correspondence, 1897-1900; one box of Boardman's speeches; and two boxes of correspondence, mostly incoming, 1806-1930. There is also some miscellaneous printed matter including “A Thumb Nail Sketch of Charles R. Boardman,” 1940; General Charles R. Boardman - an Appreciation, 1930; and newspaper clippings.
The letterbook contains Boardman's official correspondence as Adjutant General from 1897 to 1900. It is well indexed, although not entirely legible in spots. Much of the incoming correspondence in the collection refers to material in the letterbook. The speeches are on patriotic and political themes, delivered mainly to veterans and fraternal organizations. Few of them are dated. Their historical value is limited.
The correspondence is very full for the years before 1900, becoming scantier thereafter. From 1918 on, both incoming and some outgoing correspondence are present. Before that date the collection contains only incoming letters.
For 1896 the chief interest of the collection is centered on local Wisconsin politics. From 1897 to 1913 most of the correspondence deals with the day-to-day affairs of the Wisconsin National Guard, with the greatest emphasis on the years before 1900. This is a record of the operation of the Guard, dealing with such matters as purchasing, organization, patronage, promotions, tactics, encampments, etc. The activities of the Guard leading up to the Spanish American War are well documented, and consider such aspects as: the preparedness, mobilization, field appointments, and some reports from the war theatre. In 1900 chief interest centers around the passing of the militia bill in the U.S. Congress.
The Guard is not the only topic discussed in the correspondence; politics receive almost equal attention. General Boardman's position placed him in charge of a great deal of patronage and gave him considerable influence in the politics of the state. Consequently, there is considerable correspondence with leading Wisconsin politicians on purely political matters. After General Boardman's retirement from the Adjutant Generalship in 1913 the correspondence becomes less interesting. There is not very much material relating to World War I, except in reference to General Boardman's role in Liberty Loan Campaigns and other patriotic drives. Much of the material after the war is concerned with veterans' affairs, and such personal matters as speaking engagements, letters of recommendation, and pension applications for soldiers who served under him.
Following are listed those letters that seem to have more than routine interest:
| 1896 Jan. 15 |
From E. A. Hartman, GOP Chairman, Ward 1, Manitowoc - on patronage.
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| 1897 Jan. 13 |
John J. Esch declines appointment as Judge Advocate General.
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| 1897 Feb. 10 |
From John Hicks - “Confidential” note, refers to Congressman Gruenther and political situation. (See also March 15.)
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| 1897 March 25 |
From Congressman J. H. Davidson - asking for confidential information on rumor that ex-Senator Thayer is planning to run for his seat.
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| 1897 March 30 |
From Congressman Davidson - frank discussion of local patronage in Sixth Congressional District.
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| 1897 Dec. 8 |
From Congressman Davidson - on politics in Ripon, Berlin; also mentions RR legislation in Congress. See also Dec. 17.
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| 1898 Feb. 9 |
From Florian Lampert, while still sheriff of Winnebago Co. - asking for recommendation for job with Pabst.
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| 1898 March 12 |
From Otto Zwietusch - on mobilization plans for Guard in case of war with Spain.
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| 1898 March 14 |
Congressman Davidson - on immigration bill.
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| 1898 April 9(?) |
Congressman Davidson - on chances of war and war sentiment in Congress. See also April 11(?) and 13(?).
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| 1898 April 19 |
From Charles King - begging to be appointed Brigadier General.
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| 1898 June 8 |
Congressman Davidson - on politics in district, patronage; pure beer laws; and annexation of Hawaii.
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| 1898 June 20 |
From a Guard captain - complaining about conditions at Camp Geo. H. Thomas.
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| 1898 Aug. 13 |
Firsthand description of Puerto Rico Campaign. See also Sept. 22, Oct. 17.
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| 1899 July 5 |
From Otto H. Falk - 7 page letter giving detailed criticisms and suggestions for improving Guard encampment orders and routine.
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| 1900 Dec. 4 |
From Tom J. Rogers - describing battles against Philippine insurgents.
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| 1901 Feb. 4 |
From Congressman Davidson - on factors to be considered in the re-apportionment of 6th Wis. District. See also March 5.
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| 1901 March 2 |
From Congressman Davidson - his views on primary election bill.
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| 1902 July 1 |
From Captain Howard Greene - reviewing method of examination for selecting Guard officers; criticizes the system and offers suggestions.
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| 1904 April 1 |
From Congressman John J. Esch - concerning friction between Congress and Secretary of War Taft.
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| 1904 July 15 |
From J. I. Morrison - on Russo-Japanese War, written from Japan and Manchuria. See also May 21, Sept. 16.
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| 1918 Sept. 7 |
From General Haan - describing fighting in France.
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| 1918 Sept. 18 |
Boardman to Governor Phillips - requesting relaxation of child-labor laws for patriotic reasons. For reply of Governor Phillips see Sept. 20.
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| 1919 Sept. 4 |
From Boardman - sharply critical letter refusing to contribute to the U.W. Memorial Union.
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| 1920 March 4 |
From Senator Irving Lenroot - on proposed pension bill.
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| 1920 Nov. 18 |
From Congressman John J. Each - explaining his failure to be renominated in primaries.
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| 1924 March 20 |
From Congressman Florian Lampart - explaining his opposition to McNary-Haugen Bill.
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Below are listed the more important correspondents who appear in the collection:
- Babcock, Joseph W. (Cong.) - 1897 March 13, May 6; 1898 June 6
- Baensch, Emil - 1896 Jan. 7; 1897 May 17, July 8; 1900 Nov. 23
- Cook, Samuel A. (US Congress) - 1896 Feb. 1; 1897 Jan. 30, Feb. 18, March 7, March 28 (2 letters), April 3, April 12, April 30; 1898 March 29, March 31, June 5, June 19
- Davidson, J. H. (US Congress) - Frequent correspondent from 1897 on
- Doe, Joseph B. (Asst. US Secretary of War) - 1897 Jan. 2, Jan. 6, Jan. 11
- Duffy, F. Ryan (US Senator) - 1935 March 21
- Esch, John J. (US Congress) - 1897 Jan. 13; 1900 April 19; 1904 April 1
- Haan, William George (General) - 1919 Jan. 7; 1920 July 20
- Haugen, Nils - 1930 Feb. 6
- Hicks, John (Oshkosh editor, US minister to Chile) - 1897 Feb. 10, Feb. 16, March 15, May 25, August 27
- King, Charles (Milwaukee novelist, General) - Frequent correspondent
- Lampert, Florian (US Congress) - 1898 Feb. 9; 1905 Aug. 29; 1920 May 7; 1921 Jan. 22
- La Follette, Robert M. - 1901 May 20; 1906 Feb. 2; 1907 Jan. 31
- Lenroot, Irving L. (US Senator) - 1920 May 29, Sept. 17
- MacArthur, Arthur (General) - 1899 Aug. 25; 1908 Jan. 31
- McGovern, Francis E. (Governor) - 1911 Jan. 14; 1913 Sept. 29
- Quarles, J. V. (US Senator) - 1899 Sept. 20; 1900 May 12; 1901 Feb. 2, April 5
- Root, Elihu - 1903 May 6
- Ruggles, S. D. (US Adjutant General) - 1897 Jan. 6
- Scofield, Edward (Governor) - 1898 May 24
- Spooner, John C. (US Senator) - 1897 Jan. 17, March 28, Dec. 12; 1899 Feb. 13; 1900 April 19; 1901 March 9, April 7, Oct. 15; 1902 March 10
- Turner, Frederick Jackson - 1901 May 15
- Wood, Leonard - 1912 May 28, Sept. 12, Sept. 20; 1919 Dec. 20, Dec. 22; 1920 June 17
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boardman, Oshkosh, Wis., September 26, 1956, and additions by Mrs. Boardman, May 18, 1961.
Contents List
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Correspondence
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Box
1
Folder
1
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1896-1897 February
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Box
1
Folder
2
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1997 March - December
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Box
1
Folder
3
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1898
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Box
1
Folder
4
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1899-1902
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Box
2
Folder
1
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1903-1910
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Box
2
Folder
2
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1911-1919
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Box
2
Folder
3
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1920-1930
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Undated
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Box
3
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Speeches
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Box
3
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Letterbook, 1897-1900
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