Bolton, George (1840-1906)

BOLTON

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/2/2007 at 21:52:04

George Bolton
Dec 9, 1840 - Oct 25, 1906

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.99, Grove Twp.)
George Bolton, farmer, P. O. Macedonia, born in Cedar County, Iowa, December 9, 1840, son of Wm. H. and Sarah (Southern) Bolton, he a farmer, born in Virginia, died in Cedar County, Iowa, in 1863; she, born in North Carolina in April, 1808, is still living in Michigan. They had nine children, all of whom are living. Subject received a common school education; commenced life as a farmer, and married in Iowa, November 8, 1860, Miss Anna M. Pearce, born in Ohio, March 20, 1838, daughter of Dennis and Mary (Pollock) Pearce, both natives of Ohio. He died in Iowa, and she is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton have had nine children, viz., Charles E, A. W., Ida M., Minnie A. (dead), L. D. (dead), F. K. (dead), Albert, Nellie G. and James Garfield, all born in Iowa. Subject has been Township Clerk, as well as filling other offices; is a member of the M. P. Church, a Republican, an Odd Fellow, and moved from Cedar County, Iowa, to this county in 1877; bought 240 acres of land at $18 per acre, which is now valued at about $40 per acre. There are about two acres of very fine orchard, and other small fruits on the place.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.299)
GEORGE BOLTON was born in the Territory of Wisconsin (now Iowa), December 9, 1840. His father, William Bolton, was one of the seven men who first settled in Cedar County, in 1836. His grandfather, Henry Bolton, when a lad in his teens, was kidnapped and brought to America from his native country, Germany. He made his escape and a short time afterward enlisted in the cause of the colonies and fought in the Revolutionary war under General Washington. His son, William Bolton, was born in Virginia, and was married in that State to Sarah Southern, also a native of the Old Dominion and a descendant of one of the old Virginia families. He subsequently became a pioneer of Cedar County, Iowa, as already stated, and there passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife lived to be eighty years old and died at the home of her son George in Pottawattamie County. Mr. Bolton and his wife were earnest Christian people, and were members of the Methodist Church. He spent his life as an honest tiller of the soil; was a Jackson Democrat, a strong Union man during the war, and cast his vote for President Lincoln. This worthy pioneer couple reared a family of eight children, viz.: J. A., a resident of Jasper County, Iowa; Oliva, of Oregon; Louis, who is deceased; Virginia Vanmeter, of Cass County, Iowa; George, the subject of this sketch; John, Cedar County, Iowa; Agnes, wife of A. W. Pierce, Grove Township, this county; and Grace, wife of Frank Emmons, also of Grove Township.
The son of a pioneer farmer, George was early in life inured to hard work, and was taught those lessons of industry and honesty which have served him so well in after life. His early advantages were limited. What education he received was obtained in the primitive log schoolhouse of that period. He was married November 8, 1860, to Miss Hannah M. Pierce, who was born and reared in Ohio, the daughter of Dennis and Mary (Polick) Pierce, both natives of Pennsylvania. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolton: Charles E., who is married and lives in Grove Township; A. W., also married and a resident of the same township; Ida M., wife of D. W. Magee, sheriff of Banner County, Nebraska; Nellie G., Albert, and James A., at home. Three of their children died of diphtheria, -- Luke, at the age of eight years; Minnie, ten years of age; and Frank, six.
Mr. Bolton lived in Cedar County, Iowa, until 1877, when he came to his present location and bought the farm on which he resides of Isaac Denton. Some improvements had been made on the place previous to its purchase by Mr. Bolton, but he has since enhanced its value by building, fencing, etc. He built a comfortable residence, a story and a half high, surrounded it with shade and ornamental trees, and also planted a grove and orchard. He built a commodious barn, 40 x 66 feet, which is well arranged for grain, hay and stock. A modern windmill furnishes the power, by which water is forced through pipes up to the yards and feedlots, a distance of forty rods. This farm contains 320 acres, and its flourishing condition at once indicates the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Mr. Bolton is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Among his stock is Shorthorn cattle and Clydesdale horses.
Our subject is one of the wheel horses of the Republican Party in Grove Township. He served nearly fifteen years as Township Trustee. He has also served with credit as a member of the School Board. He is an active worker in and a trustee of the Christian Church, of which his wife and tow of their children are also members. Socially Mr. Bolton is connected with I. O. O. F., Lodge, No. 421, of Macedonia. He is regarded by all who know him as an honorable and worthy citizen. Since he took up his residence here he has identified himself with the best interests of the community, and every enterprise that has for its object the promotion of good finds in him an earnest supporter.