Bolton, Absalom D

From Lane Co Oregon

ABSALOM D. BOLTON, deceased. Among the pioneers of Wasco county and the state of Oregon, it is fitting that we should make mention of the gentleman whose name appears above, since he was one of the sturdy men who labored assiduously to open up the country and brave the dangers and hardships incident to such a life. He was a good citizen and an industrious man, capable and upright and won hosts of friends wherever he dwelt.

Absalom D. Bolton was born in Virginia and died at the family home just east of Boyd, on February 18, 1903, aged eighty-two years. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Inksell) Bolton, natives of Virginia. The father's father was kidnapped from Germany when a boy and brought to Virginia and forced to work on a plantation seven years to pay for his passage. During the Revolution, he was a teamster in the army. His son, our subject's father, served in the War of 1812. The mother of our subject died in Iowa where she went during the Civil war. Mr. Bolton married in the east and in 1852, with ox teams, crossed the plains to Lane County, Oregon. Later he sold his property there and came to the vicinity of Boyd, bought the rights of a settler and began farming. He was prospered in his labors and became a well to do and prominent citizen. Upon his death, he left to his wife the old home place of seven hundred acres and a half section to each son besides. His marriage occurred on March 4, 1852 and Oliva Bolton, his half cousin, became his bride. Mrs. Bolton's parents were William and Sallie (Southern) Bolton, both natives of Virginia. Mrs. Sallie (Southern) Bolton is an aunt of, Charles H. Southern, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. She died in Iowa in 1884. Her husband died in Iowa during the war. Mr. Bolton had two brothers. Daniel and George. His widow has two brothers, John and George, and three sisters, Mrs. Virginia Van Meter, Mrs. Agnes Pierce and Mrs. Condace Emmons. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolton six children have been born: Lee and Park, farmers in Wasco county near by their mother's place George, a druggist at Moro; Dean, a harness maker in The Dalles; Addie, wife of Lewis Bolton, a farmer in Wasco county; and A. Grant, at home with his mother.

An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, page 307.

• A portrait of Mr. Bolton appears between pages 304 and 305.

• A portrait has been posted on-line at [1]