Sarah Ellen Ingham Boardman
Wife, Mother, Businesswoman
During the 1930s and 1940s, women in Texas faced significant challenges but also made remarkable strides in the business world. Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression and World War II, many women took on leadership roles and operated businesses, contributing to the state's economy and society.
In rural areas, women often managed family farms and businesses, especially as men were away fighting in the war. They took on roles that were traditionally considered male-dominated, showcasing their versatility and strength.
Overall, women in Texas during the 1930s and 1940s demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their contributions to business, labor movements, and community development were vital in shaping the state's economic and social landscape during a challenging period.
One notable example is Sarah Ellen Ingham Boardman. After the death of her husband in 1935, she managed Boardman Oil and Refining Company and navigated the complexities of the oil industry during a tumultuous time. Her resilience and business acumen were instrumental in keeping the company afloat and supporting her family.
Sarah Ellen Ingham was born on 19 November 1891 in Pursley, Navarro County, Texas, to Jonathan Weldon (J.W.) Ingham and Sarah Alice Beeson Ingham.1 Pursley was a small farming community about 70 miles south of Dallas. By 1910, the Ingham family had moved to Big Spring, Howard County, Texas.2 It was in Big Spring that Ellen met Lester L. Boardman, the young man she would marry. Lester’s father was a farmer who had come to Big Spring to take advantage of opportunities in a less-settled area of Texas.3 Farming, though, was not on Lester’s agenda. He saw opportunities in the oil business and found employment with Magnolia Oil Company.4
Ellen’s parents had placed a strong emphasis on education for their children. Ellen taught school for a time after completing her education.
Ellen was the second daughter and third surviving child in the Ingham family. The 1910 Census reported that only four of eight Boardman children had survived.5 Ellen and her older sister, Eva, had an extremely close relationship. Eva eventually followed Ellen and Lester to Wichita Falls, Texas, before eventually settling in Paducah, Texas, after she married.6
Ellen and Lester were the parents of three children. Their first daughter, Lee Ellen Boardman was born on 24 February 1915, in Wichita Falls.7 Their second daughter, Ruth Maurine Boardman (my grandmother) was born on 6 April 1917, also in Wichita Falls.8 On 15 October 1931, they welcomed a son, Lester Lawrence “Larry” Boardman.9
During this time, Lester was building a thriving oil business (see Shaped by the Oil Boom - Lester Lee Boardman of Wichita Falls, Texas). Around 1930, Lester and Ellen became involved in real estate development. After Lester’s death, Ellen played a significant role in building houses in Wichita Falls, contributing to the growth and development of the community. Her efforts helped provide housing for many families when the demand for affordable homes was high. One notable feature of the homes she developed was that they all had room for substantial gardens patterned after Subsistence Homesteads built in the nearby Wichita Gardens subdivision.
The evening of 12 November 1935, Lester was involved in a serious automobile accident outside of Wichita Falls. He suffered a broken thigh bone, a badly crushed knee, and was feared to have suffered internal injuries.10 He died on the afternoon of 1 December 1935.11 Ellen stepped into head the Boardman Oil and Refining Company for nearly two years until she could arrange its sale.12
After the sale of the oil company, Ellen returned to building homes. In some cases, she financed and built homes on her own. In others, she worked in partnership with H.J. Naylor (see Harry Joe (H.J.) Naylor - Family History with Bill Moore). In 1950, she began development of the Boardman Subdivision in Wichita Falls.13 She lived in one of the homes, planting large gardens and an orchard containing peach, apricot, pecan, and black walnut trees.
Ellen, in addition to taking care of her children, took part in a wide variety of civic and social activities. They ranged from church groups to women’s clubs, the city council of PTAs, and the League of Women Voters. She continued in these organizations for many years after the death of her husband.
In 1972, Ellen moved to West, Texas, a small town north of Waco, to be near her elder daughter, Lee Ellen Boardman Sulak. She died on 4 January 1989 in a nursing home there.14 She is buried beside her husband at Riverside Cemetery in Wichita Falls.15 Sadly, she outlived all three of her children.16
“U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/166871782/person/302167631607/facts : accessed 16 February 2025), entry for Ellen I Boardman (1881-1989), no 450-66-3217.
1910 U.S. census, Big Springs, Howard County, Texas, Commissioner’s Precinct 3, enumeration district (ED) 124, sheet 1-A, dwelling 4, family 4, J. W. Ingham; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4450071_01012?pId=28184568 : accessed 16 February 2025).
1910 U.S. census, Big Springs, Howard County, Texas, Commissioner’s Precinct 3, enumeration district (ED) 124, sheet 1-A, dwelling 4, family 4, J. D. Boardman; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/166871782/person/302167631663/facts : accessed 16 February 2025).
John F. Worley, compiler, Worley’s Directory of Dallas, Texas 1913, (Dallas, Texas: John F. Worley Directory Co.), 330: imaged, “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/5040595), image 147 of 523.
1910 U.S. census, Big Springs, Howard County, Texas, Commissioner’s Precinct 3, enumeration district (ED) 124, sheet 1-A, dwelling 4, family 4, Sarah A. Ingham; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4450071_01012?pId=125888866 : accessed 16 February 2025).
“Mrs. Eva Martin Dies At Paducah; Rites Tuesday,” The Childress [Texas] Index, 2 March 1970, page 1, column 8; imaged, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/50855561/ : accessed 16 February 2025).
“U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/records/60779374 : accessed 16 February 2025), entry for Lee Sulak (1915-1987), no 459-12-2408.
Texas, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth (1917), Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas, Ruth Maurine Boardman, born 6 April 1917, issued 14 June 1943 to Mrs. L. L. Boardman, 1513 Westlake, Wichita Falls, Texas; imaged FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99VH-GFV9/ : accessed 16 February 2025).
Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Standard Certificate of Birth (1942), Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas, Lester Lawrence Boardman, born 15 October 1931, issued 15 January 1942 to Mrs. L. L. Boardman, Wichita Falls, Texas, imaged Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2275/images/33153_B061715-01234/ : accessed 16 February 2025).
“Five Injured in Collision of Cars,” Wichita Falls [Texas] Record News, 13 November 1935, page 1, column 1; imaged, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-lester-l-boardman-auto/145944508/ : accessed 15 February 2025).
“Injuries fatal to L. L. Boardman,” Fort Worth [Texas] Star-Telegram, 2 December 1935, page 2, column 3; imaged, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-l-l-boardman/145942212/ : accessed 15 February 2025).
“Penrod-Tanner Oil Co. New Name of Former Boardman Concern,” Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 29 September 1938, page 13, columns 7-8; imaged, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-penrod-tanner-oil-co/159291545/ : accessed 15 February 2025).
Wichita County, Texas, “265-Boardman Subdivision - Original Plat,” filed 26 May 1950; imaged: Wichita County, Texas Weblink (https://weblink-public.wichitafallstx.gov/WebLink8_Pub/DocView.aspx?id=1675651 : accessed 15 February 2025).
“Sarah Boardman,” Wichita Falls [Texas] Times Record News, 6 January 1989, page 4, columns 1-2; imaged: Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news-obituary-for-sarah-ell/160137654/ : accessed 15 February 2025).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30638209/sarah_ellen-boardman: accessed February 15, 2025), memorial page for Sarah Ellen Ingham Boardman (19 Nov 1891–4 Jan 1989), Find a Grave Memorial ID 30638209, citing Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas, USA; Maintained by mariahswind (contributor 46887614) : accessed 15 February 2025.
Ellen lived many years after all her children were gone. First to pass was Larry, on 18 June 1963 (Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Death Certificates, 1903-1982, iArchives, Orem, Utah). Next was Maurine on 21 August 1984 (Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc, 2005.). Lee Ellen passed on 10 July 1987 (Texas Death Index, 1903-2000, Ancestry.com, 2006.).
My mom had more than a few arguments with postal clerks when she tried to send packages to West. They would invariably tell her that "West Texas is a big place." It's a great little town.
Bill, when I was in the Air Force in the late 70s, maybe 1980, there was a pilot I served on alert with from West, Texas. He liked to start introductions with people playing dumb in conversations like:
Where you from?
West Texas
Where abouts?
West, Texas
Okay, I know Texas, I mean where in West Texas .. Amarillo, El Paso, Midland-Odessa?
No, I'm from the town of West, Texas. Just north of Waco.
It was funny at the time, as he spoke it.
Fun facts: Google Maps thinks West, Texas is the southwestern-most part of El Paso. Apple Maps gets it right.