BIOGRAPHY - Charles Bogardus
COL. CHARLES BOGARDUS. To applaud worthy achievements is an instinct of
human nature, and when noble results have been accomplished by one's own
efforts, thrice deserving is he of praise. All delight to pay tribute to a
self-made man, one who, despite great disadvantages, has achieved
distinction. Such a one is the well-known gentleman whose name heads this
memoir.
The progenitor of the different branches of the Bogardus family in America
was Everardus Bogardus, a Dutch Reform clergyman, who emigrated from Holland
to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1633 and was the second minister in
that city, residing on what is now Broad Street. In 1638, he married
Annetje, widow of Roelof Jansen, who had obtained a grant of sixty-two acres
of land in what is now the center of New York City. This farm, long known as
"Dominie's Bowery," in time became vested in Trinity Church by unfair means
and has caused continuous litigation since. He is the only one of the name
that has come to this country.
Col. Bogardus is a lineal descendant of the above gentleman and is a son of
James H. and Louisa Bogardus. He was born in Cayuga County, N.Y., March 28,
1841, and when only six years of age was left an orphan, both parents being
taken away by an epidemic. He was taken by an uncle, W. H. Bogardus, who
gave him common-school advantages until he was some twelve years of age, at
which time young Charles entered a grocery store as clerk, at a salary of
$1.50 per week, his kind uncle furnishing him both board and clothes. This
position he held for four years, receiving increase in salary from time to
time. His earnings were paid every Saturday night to the uncle, who, without
the boy's knowledge, invested the same for him, and subsequently offered to
turn all over to him, notwithstanding his uncle was a poor man. But the boy,
although only eighteen years of age, declined the offer and the money with
thanks.
Borrowing means, he went to Ridgeway, N. Y., to accept a clerkship in the
store of another uncle at $8 per month. In this position, he served until
1862, getting a yearly increase of salary. On the 13th of August, 1862, Col.
Bogardus, having just attained his majority, enlisted for the war in Company
A, One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Infantry. But before going to the
field, as was not uncommon with the boys who feared some others might woo
and win their sweethearts during their absence, he married, August 17, 1862,
Miss Hannah W., daughter of William H. Pells, whose sketch is found on
another page of this work. It is difficult to comprehend just how much
sacrifice and courage is necessary to leave a young wife and face an armed
foe. On the organization of the company, Col. Bogardus was elected First
Lieutenant; was promoted to be Captain of Company I, December 12, 1862; to
Lieutenant-Colonel December 10, 1864; and was breveted Colonel by order of
the President of the United States "'for gallant and meritorious services in
the charge in front of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865." The letter from the
Governor of New York accompanying the commission states the reason for
granting the commission, and is here given:
"Colonel, I have the pleasure to transmit herewith a brevet commission
conferred by the President, in recognition of your faithful and
distinguished services in the war. I feel a just pride in this
acknowledgment of the gallantry and devotion of an officer of this State,
which serves to heighten the reputation won by the valor and constancy of
the soldiers of New York.
"Very truly yours,
"R. E. Fenton."
The principal battles in which Col. Bogardus took part were the following:
Mouocacy, Md., an engagement comparatively insignificant in itself, was
important in its results. Three thousand Union troops, by the skillful
management of Gen. Lew Wallace, held in check nearly six times their number
for twenty-four hours, thus giving Gen. Grant barely time to bring up the
First and Second Divisions of the Sixth Army Corps, as the Confederate Gen.
Early appeared in front of the outer defenses of Washington. Had that heroic
little band of boys in blue given way, the Capitol City must have fallen a
prey to the enemy. In the battle of the Wilderness, the corps to which Col.
Bogardus belonged was on the extreme right, and all well remember what a
desperate effort Lee made to crush that part of Grant's army. The battle of
Spottsylvania; Tolopotomoy; Cold Harbor, in which the One Hundred and
Fifty-first lost five captains; Petersburg, Sailor Creek, and Lee's
surrender will ever be remembered as experiences in our subject's army life.
At the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, Col. Bogardus was so severely
wounded that he could not endure to be transferred by ambulance, hence was
carried three miles on a stretcher to the Confederate hospital at Frederick
City, Md. Had his injuries been less, he would have been sent to Richmond or
to Libby Prison. Frederick City soon fell into the hands of the Union
troops, and he was transferred, about three months after, when able to
travel, to the officers' hospital at Annapolis, Md., where he regained his
strength sufficiently to come home on crutches and cast his first
Presidential vote for Lincoln. As soon as he could get about by the use of a
cane, he returned to his command and served until he was mustered out, June
26, 1865.
The wonderful transforming power of ideas on the lives and actions of men is
strikingly illustrated in the case of Col. Bogardus and his paternal
grandfather. The latter owned and worked slaves in New York State before
they were manumitted — the former risked his own life for their freedom, and
to-day the negro accounts the Colonel one of his warmest friends.
Unlike some old soldiers, when the war was over Col. Bogardus laid aside his
trusted blade to rust under the gently distilled dews of peace. Returning to
Ridgeway, N. Y., he became a partner of his old employer in the mercantile
business, continuing until failing health, the effect of his wound,
compelled him to retire from trade. In March, 1872, he became a resident of
Paxton, and with its best interests, as well as those of the surrounding
country, has been prominently identified since. The varied and extensive
business interests he successfully conducts prove him to be a man of broad
comprehension and of fine executive ability. Besides doing a large
real-estate and loan business, he is extensively interested in stock-raising
and farming, owning several thousand acres of line farming land in Illinois.
Of the Ninth Congressional District Farmers' Institute, he has been
President since its organization, it having grown to be one of the largest
in the State. To home industries, he also gives his time and encouragement.
He was one of the organizers of the Paxton Brick and Tile Company, of which
he is a director and part owner; is a partner in the Paxton Canning Company,
one of the most substantial concerns of the kind in the State; one of the
incorporators of the Paxton Building, Loan and Savings Association, of which
he has been President since its inception, or for a period of ten years.
In political affairs. Col. Bogardus has taken no inconsiderable part. He has
served two terms, 1884 to 1888, in the Lower House of the State Legislature,
and at the close of his second term as Representative, he was elected, in
1888, State Senator from the Eighteenth Senatorial District, making eight
consecutive years that he has been a member of the Legislature, and has been
unanimously endorsed by the counties of his District for renomination by the
Republican party as their candidate for the State Senate. Among the
important bills lie was instrumental in passing, two should be mentioned:
one compelling instruction, in the public schools, in physiology and
hygiene, with reference to the effects of alcoholic beverages, stimulants
and narcotics on the human system; and the other regulating the weight of
flour and corn meal, compelling full weights under severe penalties. In the
Thirty-fourth General Assembly, he was one of the Republican members who in
that memorable Senatorial contest, which lasted four months, succeeded in
electing Gen. John A. Logan to the Senate of the United States.
Subsequently, the one hundred and three Republicans who stood so firmly by
the General organized themselves into a society called the "Logan 103," of
which Col. Bogardus was Secretary and Treasurer from its organization until
the last meeting, when he declined to serve longer. In the Thirty-fifth
General Assembly, he was unanimously chosen Chairman of the Republican House
caucus for the session. At each session, he was appointed on some of the
most important committees, and held several important chairmanships.
For years, Col. Bogardus has taken an active interest in the State militia
with a desire to put the four thousand Illinois troops in the highest state
of efficiency. For four years, be held the position of Colonel and A. D. C,
on the staff of Gov. Oglesby, and is now holding the same position under
Gov. Fifer.
To the affairs of Paxton he has given attention, having been six years a
member of the Council, and eight years a member of the School Board, of
which he was President a part of that time, and a Trustee of Paxton
Collegiate Institute since its organization.
Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason and Past Commander of Paxton Post No.
387, G. A. R.
Col. Bogardus has but one living child, Mariah, wife of Oscar R. Zip, an
attorney of Salt Lake City.
In the support of church and charities, Col. Bogardus is liberal, giving
where it is most needed, rather than where it would bring popularity.
Mrs. Bogardus, who also owns extensive real estate interests, is a woman of
broad charity and is a zealous church worker, as is also the daughter, who
is gratefully remembered by the people of Paxton for her devout life and for
her exceptional business ability.
Col. Bogardus is thoroughly American and has always been in sympathetic
touch with the laboring man. It is difficult to estimate the true worth of a
man like Col. Bogardus to any community. Possessed of superior mental
powers, trained to think and act with coolness in the heat of battle and in
the perplexities of business affairs, able and willing to assist in every
public benefaction or private charity, just and honorable in his dealings
with his fellow-men, he stands without a peer in this part of the State.
Extracted 28 Mar 2020 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, published in 1892, pages 271-273.
