APPRECIATIONS AND HONORS 147 



became known to an unusually large number of people. His 

 departure creates a vacancy in many circles. 



Having acquired an ample competence in business Mr. Board- 

 man exhibited a rare spirit of contentment with his acquisitions 

 and in mid-life withdrew from active business that he might 

 devote himself to other interests. 



He had become deeply interested in ornithology. The first 

 impulse in this direction is believed to have been received when, 

 on a visit to South America in charge of a cargo of lumber, he was 

 struck with admiration by the birds of brilliant plumage there 

 seen. He began to collect specimens and learn the art of mount- 

 ing them. Thus was laid the foundation of the notable collec- 

 tion which he has left, embracing representatives of all the land 

 and water birds found in this section of the country, together 

 with not a few from other localities. Tn the collection are to be 

 found also the eggs of all the species and the nests of many. 

 These specimens, by the completeness and the fine skill with which 

 they have been prepared and mounted, form an ornithological 

 cabinet which probably has no equal in New England, at least in 

 private ownership. 



The pursuit of this branch of natural history brought Mr. 

 Boardman into acquaintance with men of science in different parts 

 of the country. The list of his distinguished friends would be a 

 lengthy one, friends who were attracted to him not only by a 

 common taste, but also by his kindly disposition and warmth in 

 friendship. He was a member of the natural history societies of 

 Boston and of Loudon and was accustomed to contribute papers 

 of value to the publications of these bodies. 



The Calais Advertiser, January 17, 1901 



In the death of George A. Boardman, who departed this life 

 Friday morning, Calais loses the last of the old line of lumber 

 manufacturers, who developed that industry on the St. Croix 

 and turned the wilderness into a city of homes for a prosperous 

 people. Having amassed a competency, Mr. Boardman retired 

 from active business life, although retaining a lively interest in 

 several companies in which he was a shareholder, and at the time 

 of his death was president of the Frontier Steamboat Company, 



