Born to Jacob and Sarah (Dick) Boas, his father was a merchant businessman, borough councilman and prothonotary of Dauphin County appointed by Governor Simon Snyder.

Boas eventually bought out Newhard's share and passed the business on to his son Charles.

[5] It was at this point Boas started worked as a freight forwarder with a Mr. Forster until he was elected to the position of Dauphin County Sheriff on November 14, 1860, for 3 years.

[6] In 1868, he was appointed as a United States gauger for the Internal Revenue Service, which he held until he was elected and served as Mayor of Harrisburg from 1873 to 1875 under the Republican Party.

[7] On the Inauguration Day of Governor James A. Beaver in 1887, Boas contracted a severe cold, and, after two months, succumbed to the illness, dying on March 25, 1887.