The progenitor of the Bolton family of Troy, New York, came from England and established the family fortunes on a sound basis that continues to the present. The Eagle Brewing Works is one of the largest of the industries of the town of Lansingburg, with an output that requires a large force of men and a large investment of capital to produce and place upon the market.
(I) Samuel Bolton, son of Thomas and Grace Bolton, was born in Lancashire, England, May, 1816, died in Lansingburg, New York, November 3, 1888. His father was a block printer, and after the boy Samuel had received a good common school education he was taught his father's trade, which he followed as long as he remained in England. He married in England and in 1848 came to the United States with his family, locating in Lansingburg, New York. He was practically without means, and was obliged to obtain work quickly. He secured employment with Powers & Sons, oilcloth manufacturers, and remained in their employ nineteen years. During the last few years he had brewed a homemade ale that pleased his friends very much, and having accumulated a small capital, he began brewing on a larger scale. The result was the Eagle Brewing Company with its large capital, well-equipped plant and immense business. He had an exhibit at the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876, and received a medal and a diploma from the commission, for purity and superiority. His sons were taken into the business, which after his death was carried on by Samuel and William as business managers and Joseph as the practical manager at the works. The concern became one of the largest in northern New York, and among the largest taxpayers of Lansingburg. Mr. Bolton was a Republican but took no active part in public affairs. He married in England, Elizabeth Dugdale, born in Yorkshire November 24, 1816, died in Lansingburg, New York. May 24, 1886. Children, all born in England:
- Joseph, mentioned below.
- William, enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteers; was captured and held a prisoner six months.
- Elizabeth, married H. E. Colburn, of Vermont.
- Crumby, also a veteran of the civil war.
- Mary, married Isaac Dugdale, of Lansingburg, New York.
- Alice.
- Samuel (2), who continued in the business and was also interested in the banking business in Lansingburg, and dealt heavily in real estate.
(II) Joseph, eldest child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dugdale) Bolton, was born in Lancashire, England, August 15, 1839, died in Troy, New York, June 19, 1897. He was nine years of age when his parents came to Lansingburg, New York, where he was educated. He learned the trade of carriage blacksmith and worked at that trade until admitted to business with his father. He became the practical head of the company, while his brother Samuel (2) was the office head. As the business became prosperous and increased to its latter-day proportions, the responsibility became very great. Besides his brewing interests Mr. Bolton found time to devote to other affairs. He was especially interested in the Samaritan Hospital, and served on the first board of trustees. He was a quiet, unassuming man, held in high regard. He married, in Adamsville, New York, November 20, 1865, Sarah J. McClenahan, born in Troy, New York, in 1844, daughter of Samuel (died 1851) and Agnes (Davidson) McClenahan, born in county Down, Ireland, died 1898, aged eighty-three. Mrs. Sarah J. Bolton has a brother, Thomas McClenahan, who has been employed for thirty years as a letter carrier at the Philadelphia post office. Children of Joseph and Sarah J. Bolton:
- Samuel T., born October 29, 1886; married Bessie McKnight, and has a daughter Ruth M., born 1891.
- Joseph, March 29, 1869; married Mattie Booth, and had a son Clifford, who died April 30, 1897.
- George, September 16, 1870; married Elizabeth Moss, and has
- Joseph, born August 20, 1890,
- George William, born September 25, 1892, and
- Dorothy, born February 6, 1896.
- William, May 20, 1873; married Ida Boxley and they have William J. and Kenneth.
- Agnes, April 20, 1875; married Daniel White Kincaid; children:
- Daniel W., born September 1900, and
- Joseph Henry, born June 22, 1903.
- Elizabeth, August 14, 1878; unmarried.
Mrs. Bolton survives her husband and resides in Troy, New York.