Alexander Boarman


Alexander "Aleck" Boarman was a United States Representative from Louisiana and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Previously, he served in the Confederate States Army and as Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Education and career

Born on December 10, 1839, in Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi, Boarman lost his parents in infancy and was raised by relatives in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He attended the common schools of Shreveport and Kentucky Military Institute in Franklin, Kentucky, graduated from Kentucky University in 1860 and read law in 1860. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army and served as lieutenant of the Caddo Rifles. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of captain and served throughout the war. He entered private practice in Shreveport from 1866 to 1868. He was the Mayor of Shreveport from May 7, 1866 to August 8, 1867. He was city attorney for Shreveport from 1868 to 1872. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election as Secretary of State of Louisiana in 1872.

Civil War service

Boarman's regiment, the 1st Louisiana Infantry, became part of the Army of Northern Virginia. After one year of fighting, Boarman was promoted to the rank of captain in the Confederate States Army, which he held until 1865. He served as the acting assistant Adjutant-General in the Battle of Winchester. His commanding office wrote of the engagement:

Congressional service

Boarman was elected as a Liberal Republican from Louisiana's 4th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 42nd United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative-elect James McCleery and served from December 3, 1872, to March 3, 1873. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1872.

Later career

Following his departure from Congress, Boarman resumed private practice in Shreveport from 1873 to 1877. He was a Judge of the Louisiana District Court for the Tenth Judicial District from 1877 to 1881.

Federal judicial service

Boarman was nominated by President James A. Garfield on May 18, 1881, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, to a new seat authorized by 21 Stat. 507. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18, 1881, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on August 30, 1916, due to his death while on a visit in Loon Lake, Franklin County, New York. He was interred in Oakland Cemetery in Shreveport.