HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, VOL. II, 1918, page 258

THOMAS E. BOLTON

Thomas E. Bolton is practically living retired, although occupying a small farm of twenty acres on the northern edge of the town of Northwood . For many years before, he was prominently and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa . He is, however, a native of Worth county, his birth having occurred in Grove township, October 24, 1861 , his parents being Isaac and Dinah Jane (Bickell) Bolton . His father was born in England , June 2 , 1834, there acquired his education and in 1851 came to the United States , first locating in Dane county, Wisconsin . In November, 1854, he returned to England and on the voyage was wrecked off the coast of Wales . He remained but a short time in his native land and again crossed the water to the new world in 1856, at which time he took up his abode upon what is now the old homestead farm on section 17, Grove township, Worth county, a tract of land comprising one hundred and seventy-eight acres. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Dinah J. Bickell, a daughter of John Bickell. In 1862 he responded to the country's call for troops and enlisted as one of the boys in blue of Company A, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was the first man to enlist in the regiment and after serving for one year as sergeant was commissioned first lieutenant. He took part in the engagement at Hartsville , Missouri , where eight hundred Union soldiers held five thousand rebels at bay all day. He was also in the engagement at Port Gibson, Mississippi , at Champion's Hill and at Black River Bridge , where he was one of the first men on the rebel works. He likewise participated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg and at length, because his health had become seriously impaired, he resigned in August, 1863, and returned home. Since then he has occupied the old family homestead and is one of the honored pioneer settlers of the county, respected by all who know him and most of all where he is best known. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since its formation and he has served as chairman of the board of super­visors. He is a Master Mason and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Re­public, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas E. Bolton spent his boyhood upon the old homestead farm in Grove township and attended the district schools. He continued to assist in the work of the fields until he reached the age of twenty-two years and then went to Oxford County, Canada, near Woodstock, where he learned the cheese-making business, remaining in that district for a year. He afterward removed to Crawford county, Pennsylvania , where he followed cheese making for two years and then returned to Northwood, establishing a cheese factory in Danville township which he operated for two years. Later he gave his attention to the creamery business at Fertile, Worth county, for three years and for five years he conducted a creamery at Lake Mills , Iowa . He next purchased a farm in Grant township, Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, comprising one hundred and ten acres, upon which he took up his abode, concentrating his efforts and attention upon its further development and improve­ment. For nineteen years he remained upon that farm and his labors wrought a marked transformation in its appearance, for he made it a most productive tract and one highly improved, constituting a most pleasing feature in the landscape. At length he sold that property and took up his abode in Northwood, purchasing twenty, acres at the northern edge of the city, upon which he now resides.

Mr. Bolton has been twice married. On the 17th of March, 1886 , he wedded Miss Mittie Smith, a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania , and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bailey) Smith, her father being an agriculturist of that county. They became the parents of three children: Thomas I., Guy E. and Faith A. The wife and mother passed away on the 10th of June, 1910, and in 1912 Mr. Bolton was again married, his second union being with Miss Ida Dixon, a native of Grove township, Worth county, and a daughter of William and Mary (Nelson) Dixon, who were born in England and in Sweden, respec­tively.

Mr. Bolton is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Rebekahs and he belongs to the Independent Christian church at Fertile. He is a man of genuine personal worth, highly esteemed by all who know him, and his business record and his private life are alike above reproach.

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland - June 2005