William H. Boring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William H. Boring
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| Birth name | William Harrison Boring |
| Born | February 26, 1841 Greenfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 1, 1932 (aged 91) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
Damascus Pioneer Cemetery, Damascus, Oregon, U.S.45°25′03″N 122°27′32″W / 45.417621°N 122.458978°W
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861 – 1863 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit |  33rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Vicksburg |
| Spouse(s) |
Sarah Elizabeth Wilder
(m. 1867; died 1922) |
| Children | 2 |
William Harrison Boring (born February 26, 1841 – died December 1, 1932) was an American soldier. He fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. William Boring was part of a special group in the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This group helped win the Vicksburg Campaign in 1863. Later, he became known as a pioneer because he helped start the town of Boring, Oregon in 1874. The town was named after him.
Contents
William Boring's Life Story
Early Life and Military Service
William Boring was born in Greenfield, Illinois, on February 26, 1841. His mother was from Tennessee, and his father was from Maryland. He had an older brother named George Boring. George also became a pioneer and helped settle the town of Clarence, Missouri.
When the American Civil War began, William Boring joined the Union Army in 1861. He was part of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He served under important leaders like Major General Charles Edward Hovey and Colonel Charles E. Lippincott.
William's group was very brave during the Vicksburg Campaign in 1863. They helped capture the city of Vicksburg. Sadly, 11 out of 32 soldiers in his group died in that battle. William was badly hurt in the face and throat during the Siege of Vicksburg. Because of his injuries, he had to leave the army. The scars from his injuries were so noticeable that he wore a beard for the rest of his life.
After leaving the army, William went back to Greenfield, Illinois. He worked on his mother's farm. On December 11, 1867, William married Sarah Elizabeth Wilder in Greene County, Illinois.
Starting a New Town: Boring, Oregon
In the early 1870s, President Ulysses S. Grant encouraged people to move west. He offered land to settlers. William Boring and his wife Sarah decided to move. They left Illinois and traveled to San Francisco, California. From there, they went north to Portland, Oregon.
William's older half-brother, Joseph, had already moved to Oregon in 1853. Joseph had traveled on the Oregon Trail. William and Sarah joined Joseph at his home in 1874. This was about twelve miles east of Portland. William and Sarah settled on 160 acres (about 65 hectares) of land. They had two children: Elsie, who sadly lived for only nine days, and Orville, born in 1879.
The area where the Boring family lived became known as Boring, Oregon. This happened after William donated land for a schoolhouse in 1883. After the school was built, the community was officially named "Boring." By the early 1900s, the town grew into a busy logging community. A new railroad built by the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company brought even more people and businesses to the town.
Later Years
William Boring became a widower when his wife Sarah passed away on February 12, 1922. He later moved to Portland, Oregon. William Boring died in Portland in 1932 at the age of 91.
