Elijah Boardman

Democratic Republican Senator of Connecticut

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1760 (63 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1823

Death

Served as a senator from Connecticut until his death.
Born to a politically connected family and served in the Connecticut militia before becoming a merchant and businessman.
Founded the towns of Boardman and Medina in Ohio.
Gradually rose through the ranks of local and national government, eventually being elected to the United States Senate by the Connecticut legislature.
Served in the American Revolutionary War as a common soldier at the age of 16, achieving the rank of sergeant.
Became a noted dry-goods merchant, operating his own store in New Milford, Connecticut, and later opening a second shop in Litchfield County.
Became a member of the Connecticut Land Company and a purchaser of the Connecticut Western Reserve, leading to significant land ownership in Ohio.
Served in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate before being elected to the US Senate.
Died during a visit to his son, speculated to be from complications related to previous bouts of cholera and fever.
Was succeeded in the Senate by Henry W. Edwards and was survived by his sons, including William Whiting Boardman, who also had a political career.
Great-granddaughter Mabel Thorp Boardman became an American philanthropist.
Was a patron of artist Ralph Earl, who painted portraits of Boardman and his family.