J. D. Bolton, of the firm of Bolton and Millen, general merchants, at Springfield, Arkansas, which firm was established in January, 1889, with a stock of general merchandise to the value of $6000, being one of the most substantial mercantile houses in Springfield. Mr. Bolton was born in Hamilton County, East Tennessee, in the year 1856, and is a son of Yell and Jane Steele Bolton, who were natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. Mr. Bolton was born in 1812. They removed from Virginia to East Tennessee, where Mrs. Bolton died in 1861. Mr. Bolton afterward married Mary Ervin in 1863, and continued to reside in Tennessee till 1880, when he removed to Denton County, Texas, where he still resides. In early life Mr. Bolton followed railroading for some years, but of late has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and is a son of Noah Bolton, who was born at the Town of Bolton in England, and while yet a young man immigrated to the United States; married and settled in Virginia, and from there he removed to Tennessee and died at Bristol in that State. His father was William Bolton, who was an Englishman by birth, but in an early day immigrated to the United States, and served in the war for Independence and spent his last days in the Old Dominion State. James Steele, the maternal grandfather of J. D. Bolton, was a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia from whence he removed to Tennessee, and died at Charleston, in that State. Mr. Bolton is the ninth of a family of five sons and seven daughters. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and his education is due to his own effort, assisted somewhat by the county schools of his neighborhood. He began for himself at the age of nineteen years, and in 1878 came to Conway County, and for some years was engaged as clerk for his brother, J. W. Bolton, at Springfield, but who is now one of the leading merchants of Morrilton. After a few years as a clerk he was placed in charge of the business at Springfield for one year, and in 1885 and 1886 was engaged in the saw mill business. October 10, 1888, Mr. Bolton was married to Miss Emma Bardin, a daughter of James and Sallie Bardin, who immigrated from South Carolina to what is now Faulkner County, Arkansas, where Mr. Bardin died, and where Mrs. Bardin still resides. Mrs. Bolton is a native of South Carolina, and is the mother of one daughter, and is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Bolton affiliates with the Democratic party. He is an enterprising and a public spirited man and a man of good business ability.

Lisa Hamilton submitted the above data from Goodspeeds; she did so to help others, is not researching the above person or families mentioned therein.

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