Bolton, Charles H. (1832-1911)

BOLTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 00:33:12

Charles H. Bolton
Mar 7, 1832 - Jan 14, 1911

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.578)
C.H. BOLTON, section 30, Grove Township, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, is one of the representative citizens of his community. He was born in Giles Co., Virginia, March 7, 1832. His father, George BOLTON, was a native of the same county and was a son of Henry BOLTON. The latter was born in Germany, and when a youth was kidnapped and brought to America. This occurred before the Revolutionary War. After his arrival here, he made his escape, joined the colonial forces and fought under General Washington in the struggle for independence. After the war, he settled in Virginia where he married and lived until his death. George BOLTON married Margaret DUNCAN, also a native of Virginia, and to them were born 7 children, five of whom are now living: Elizabeth SOUTHERN, who resides in Oregon; Eliza J. RICE, also in Oregon; C.H., the subject of this sketch; Nancy M. SMITH, of Delaware Co., Iowa; and Christena WILKINSON of Mills Co., same state.

When Mr. C.H. BOLTON was 10 years of age, his father and family removed from Virginia to Cedar Co., Iowa, making the journey in an old fashioned Virginia wagon. Iowa was then a territory and Mr. Bolton's family were among the early settlers of Cedar Co. He was a farmer all of his life, a Jackson Democrat, a Protestant Methodist, and a man of integrity and moral worth. His death occurred in Cedar Co. a few years after he settled in this state. His wife, an earnest Christian, and a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, lived to about the age of 80 years and died at the home of her son in Grove Township, this county. The son of poor but industrious Christian parents, C.H. BOLTON was reared on a farm and in early youth taught those lessons of diligence and good morals which have been important factors in his after life, and have helped him on to success. He first attended school in Virginia and after moving West his studies were continued in the primitive log school-house which the pioneers had erected. To these rudiments of an education thus obtained, Mr. Bolton has added a practical experience, which can only be gained by personal contact with business and the world.

When he was 21 years of age, he wedded Miss Louisa BOLTON, a distant relative of his, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of William and Sarah BOLTON. Our subject lived in Cedar Co. until 1873 when he came to his present location, coming via the C.R.R.I. Railroad to Walnut, and from there to Grove Township in wagons. He bought 120 acres of land; two years later he bought the 80 acres where he now lives and which is near the first purchase. The latter property has been improved by Sam H. HOPKINS, who sold it to Mr. Bolton. The 120 acres corners on the southeast of it making, in all, a fine farm of 200 acres. He has a comfortable house, a good barn and all necessary improvements and buildings for the care of stock, etc. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, two of whom are deceased. The living are: Lewis, who resides in Oregon; George and Mary at home; and Cora, wife of Jesse PEDIT, of Waveland Township. Martin Sherman died at the age of 11 years and Oliva at the age of 3 years. Mrs. Bolton died Sept 16, 1886, and her loss was deeply felt by her husband, her children and her many friends. She was greatly beloved by all who knew her, and as a Christian woman her life is worthy of emulation. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, as is also her husband. In politics Mr. Bolton is a Republican.