Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: BOAK, Ilo I. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 October 27, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 336, 338 photo p. 337 ILO I.BOAK. Ilo I. Boak, head consul of the Woodmen of the World, with head offices in Denver, has devoted much of his life to insurance interests and after representing a life insurance company for a time turned his attention to fraternal work, in which he has not only won distinction for himself but has greatly promoted the order, which he has for more than a quarter of a century represented. Mr. Boak is a native son of Iowa. He was born on a farm near Webster City, Hamilton county, on the 2d of February, 1860, his .parents being William Wesley and Samantha K. (Payne) Boak. The father was born at Martinsburg, Berkeley county, West Virginia, and was a representative of one of the old families of that state who came from the north of Ireland, the first of the name in America arriving in the Old Dominion during an early period in its colonization. William Wesley Boak took up the occupation of farming and stock raising and very successfully conducted his business affairs. Removing to the middle west, he purchased land in Iowa from the United States government at the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Iowa at that time was still a part of the territory of Wisconsin and the work of progress and development seemed hardly begun in the entire state. The lands which he purchased are still in possession of the family. W. W. Boak gave his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he was a stanch advocate, and served as chairman of the county board of supervisors for many years. He was a political power in his community and could have had the gift of any office that he might have cared to fill but always declined to become a candidate for any political position except county commissioner. His influence was perhaps all the stronger from the tact that it was wielded for the public good rather than for personal ends. His work, however, was felt as a steady force in bringing about the purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually growing up in the political life of the country and his efforts were ever directed and centered in those channels through which flows the greatest good to the greatest number. He died at the family home in Webster City, Iowa, in 1902, as the result of an accident, when seventy-six years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Samantha K. Payne, was born in eastern Tennessee and is a representative of one of the old families of that state of Scotch descent. Prior to the Civil war her people were wealthy planters of the south. Her parents afterward removed to Iowa, settling in Hamilton county. It was in Henry county, Iowa, that William W. Boak and Samantha K. Payne were married and afterward removed to Hamilton county. Mrs. Boak is today one of the oldest living pioneers in the state and has reached the age of eighty-seven years. She became the mother of ten children, six of whom survive. Ilo I. Boak of this review was the third in order of birth in the family. He acquired a public school education, supplemented by study in the seminary at Webster City, Iowa. His early life was spent upon the farm and in the woods, where he was daily associated with actual woodsmen. He learned to love outdoor life and also learned many lessons concerning woodcraft. To the age of twenty years he worked upon the home farm and then started out Independently. His first employment after leaving home was with the Continental Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, which has since passed out of existence. In 1888 Mr. Boak took up fraternal work. Later accepting a commission from Sovereign Commander J. C. Root, then head consul of the Modern Woodmen of America, to organize camps for that order he devoted the succeeding three years to that work in Iowa, Kansas and Colorado. In August, 1890, he became one of the organizers of the Woodmen of the World, which association was formed in Denver. His first work was that of field manager, gradually working his way upward. As state manager for California he labored continuously for six or seven years and firmly established the order throughout the Golden state. In 1896, at the head camp session held in Helena, Montana, he was elected a member of the board of head managers and was reelected at San Francisco in 1898. In 1897 he resigned his position as state manager to engage in business in Oakland, California, becoming a member of the firm of Robinson & Boak; but upon the resignation of the head clerk, General J. W. Browning, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term and severed his business relationships in Oakland and with his family came to Colorado to take charge of the office of head clerk of the society at Denver on the 15th of February, 1900. He was elected head consul in April, 1905, and reelected at each succeeding session of the head camp. He has made a most excellent record during his connection with the office, is thoroughly familiar with every phase of fraternal order work and has served the Woodmen of the World in every capacity. In this connection a contemporary biographer has written: "His great popularity is due to his geniality and thorough business methods which have distinguished his work in all departments and which make him the recognized leader of western Woodcraft." In 1917 he served as president of the National Fraternal Congress of America and is a member of the executive committee of the World's Insurance Congress and president of the Colorado Insurance Federation. He is also at this writing vice president of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. He is an active member of South Denver Lodge, No. 93, A. F. & A. M., Denver Commandery, No. 25, K. T., and other fraternal bodies. In Freeport, Illinois, Mr. Boak was married on the 14th of June, 1883, to Miss Stella B. Baird, a native of that state and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baird, representatives of an old Illinois family. Mr. and Mrs. Boak have become parents of four children: Blanche B., the wife of William M. Marrs, of Denver; Howard P., who married Miss Hattle Titus and lives in Denver; Marian Edith, the wife of William C. Adams, also of Denver; and Atta Stoneman, the wife of Harold F. Brown of Denver. Mr. Boak is very fond of fishing and all forms of outdoor life. He travels extensively and greatly enjoys mountain climbing. He belongs to the First Christian Science church of Denver. His military service covers three years as first lieutenant of Company C, Sixth Regiment, Iowa National Guard. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking he has always taken a lively interest in public affairs. For some time his friends have been urging him to become a candidate for the office of Congressman. This he has finally consented to do after receiving a request signed by Pinlay L. MacFarland, president of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, and many others, representing all interests-civic, commercial, manufacturing, industrial, etc.-in the first congressional district. He has as his slogan, "Take up the slack and win the war." This is the spirit which has characterized Mr. Boak throughout his business career and will undoubtedly be a strong factor in his advancement along congressional lines. Aside from his preeminence as a fraternalist, Mr. Boak ranks high with the publicists of the great west; in his numerous writings and addresses are to be found clear-cut and forcible presentations of the principles of sound business and sane government.