Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/357

 BLUNT.

BOARDMAN.

BLUNT, James Q., soldier, was born at Tren- ton, Me., July 20, 1826. He went to sea in 1841, but returning in 1846 be began the study of medicine, and took bis degree three years later at the Starling medical college, Columbus, Ohio, After practising in Ohio for several years he re- moved to Kansas, where he became prominent in politics. In 1861 he joined the army, with the rank of lieiitenant -colonel. He was promoted to brigadier-general in April, 1862, and to major- general the following November. He served with distinguished gallantry in many engage- ments, notably those of Old Fort Wayne, Cane Hill. Fort Van Buren, Honey Spring and New- tonia. After the close of the war he returned to Kansas, where he resumed the practice of his profession. He died in 1881.

BLYTHE, James, educator, was born in Meck- lenburg county, N. C, Oct. 28, 1765. After re- ceiving a classical education he devoted a few years to the study of theology, and in 1793 was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. His pastorate was at Pisgah, Ky., where he remained several years, resigning to accept the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at the newly founded University of Transylvania. In 1802 he was made president of that institution, a posi- tion which he resigned in 1818 to foimd a semin- ary for young ladies, filling at the same time the chair of chemistry at Transylvania, and being further active as associate pastor of a Lex- ington church. From 1832 to 1836 he acted as president of South Hanover college, afterwards having charge of a church. The College of New Jersey conferred on him the honorary degree of D.D. in 1805. He died May 20, 1842.

BOARDMAN, George Dana, missionary, was born at Livermore, Me., Feb. 8, 1801; son of the Rev. Sylvanus and Phebe Boardman. He was prepared for college at the North Yarmouth, Me., academy, and was a member of the first class that was formed at Waterville college, where he was graduated in 1822. He then studied at An- dover theological seminary, and was ordained to the Baptist ministry at North Yarmouth, Me., Feb. 16, 1825. He married Sarah Hall, July 4, 1825, sailed for Calcutta the same month, accom- panied by his wife. They soon mastered the Bur- man language and planted the first Baptist mission in Burmah. In 1827 they removed to Amherst, Burmah, thence to Maulmain, and in 1828 to Tavoy, where his labors were very fruitful. He won the cooperation of some of the natives, and made many converts among the Burmese and the Karens. After his death his widow became the wife of Adoniram Judson, the missionary. (See King's " Memoir of George Dana Boardman, ' ' 1875). He died near Tavoy, Burmah, Feb 11, 1831.

BOARDMAN, George Dana, clergyman, was born at Tavoy, Burmah, Aug. 18, 1828; son of George Dana and Sarah (Hall) Boardman, and grandson of tlie Rev. Sylvanus Boardman. At the age of six he was sent to the United States, where he was educated. He was graduated at Brown university, 1852, and at Newton theological institution, 1855, in which year lie was ordained to the Baptist ministry. He held pastorates at Barnwell. S.C, 1855-56; at the Second church, Rochester, N.Y., 1856-'64 ; at the First church, Philadelphia, Pa., 1864-94, and was president of the American Baptist missionary union, and of the Christian arbitration and peace society. He was chaplain of the University of Pennsylvania, 1892-'93. He received the degree D.D. from Brown University in 1866, and LL.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1889, where he established the chair of Christian Ethics. He published several volumes of religious essays. He died at Atlantic City, N.J., April 28, 1903.

BOARDMAN, Samuel Ward, educator, was born in Pittsford, Vt., Aug. 31, 1830 ; son of Dea- con Samuel Ward and Ann (Gilbert) Boardman ; grandson of Deacon Timothy and Mary (Ward) Boardman and of Simeon and Sarah (Nye) Gilbert ; and a descendant of Samuel Boardman who came to Ipswich, Mass., in 1637, and removed in 1640 to Wethersfield, Conn. Samuel Ward Boardman was graduated from Middlebury college in 1851 and from Andover theological seminary in 1855. He taught at Castleton seminary, Clinton, Mass., 1852-'53, and was ordained to the Congregational ministry, April 16, 1857. He was pastor at Nor- wich, Vt., 1857-'59; professor of English litera- ture, rhetoric and intellectual philosophy in Mid- dlebury college, 1859-"61 ; pastor of the Second Presbyterian church at Auburn, N.Y., 1862-77; supplied pulpits at Syracuse, N.Y., and elsewhere, 1877-'79 ; was pastor at Sterling, 111., 1879-82, and at Stanhope, N.J., 1883-89. He was president of Maryville college, Tenn., 1889-1902. He received the honorary degrees of A.M. from Dartmouth in 1859, D.D. from Hamilton in 1870, and LL.D. from Middlebury in 1890.

BOARDHAN, Charles, naval officer, was born in Maryland. He served in the navy for a num- ber of years and was well trained at the Wash- ington naval school before the beginning of the war of 1812. At first he was placed on the Erie as midshipman, and later was transferred to the brig Jefferson. He was promoted steadily througli the ranks of lieutenant and commander to that of captain. In 1844 he was assigned to dutj' on the Brandyicine, serving with this ves- sel six j^ears. After serving in tlie civil war he was retired, in 1867. as commodore. In 1876 he was promoted a rear-admiral on the retired list, and died in Martinsburg, W. Va., Sept. 13, 1879.