Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Boulton, Benjamin James 1832 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 5, 2013, 6:10 pm Source: See Below Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher BENJAMIN JAMES BOULTON. Benjamin James Boulton is now giving his supervision merely to his invested interests, looking after his private holdings. He was, however, for many years actively connected with commercial and manufacturing interests, and his efforts were not only a resultant element in winning individual success, but were also a feature in public prosperity. His life record had its beginning at Great Yarmouth, England, March 12, 1832, his parents being Benjamin and Mary (Ward) Boulton. The father died in England when his son Benjamin was about sixteen years of age, and later the mother came to the new world and passed away at Green Bush, near Albany, New York. Benjamin and his brother, George W. Boulton, made the voyage to the new world in 1851 and their sister, Esther, came later. Benjamin James Boulton is the only survivor of the three children of the family. As stated, he left his native land in 1851, and in due time arrived in New York harbor. He then made his way to Canandaigua, New York, where he continued until the winter of 1854-55. In England he had learned the trade of baker and confectioner and was employed along that line in Canandaigua. In the winter of 1855 and 1856 he arrived in Iowa. He had to walk across the Mississippi river on the ice to Dubuque and continued in that city until 1859, working at his trade. He then came to Ottumwa, where he purchased a bakery and later extended the scope of his business to include the manufacture of confectionery. In 1866 his brother George came from Albany, New York, and entered into partnership with him under the style of Boulton Brothers, and when at a later date they were joined by Henry Phillips the style of Boulton Brothers & Company was assumed. Subsequently, however, Benjamin J. Boulton purchased the interest of both his partners and conducted the business with growing success until 1889, when, having acquired a handsome competence, he retired. He built up an extensive wholesale confectionery and cracker business, being the pioneer in both lines in this state. He installed the first cracker machine in 1861, and at all times he had a splendidly equipped plant, supplied with modern machinery and all accessories that facilitated his work. After embarking in the wholesale trade he was first located where the Globe Tea Company is now to be found, and he is still the owner of part of the building. His attention of late years as been given to the supervision of his property interests, which include a number of dwellings that return to him a gratifying annual income. In 1861 Mr. Boulton was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Belle Hobbs, who was born in Greencastle, Indiana, February 21, 1845, and was brought to Wapello county by her parents in 1848, since which time she has here resided. She is a daughter of William and Emily (Tennant) Hobbs, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. The father, who was a soldier of the War of 1812, became a pioneer settler of Indiana and later of Iowa, driving across the country to this state. Both he and his wife died in Ottumwa, where he had long been known as a capable business man, engaged in the manufacture of saddlery and harness. His family numbered ten children, of whom Mrs. Boulton, the youngest, is the only one now living. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, of whom seven have passed away: Ettie, who died at the age of nineteen years; Laura B., who died at the age of twenty-eight; James at the age of one year; George when but ten months old; Esther at the age of two years; and two who died in infancy. Those still living are Anna, the wife of W. S. Hogue, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Lela F., at home. Mr. Boulton gives his political support to the republican party and for two terms has served as a member of the city council. In religious belief he is a spiritualist, while his wife has for forty years been a member of the Episcopal church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in Dubuque in 1857. He has been presented with a badge that indicates a half century's connection with the order, and he is well known in the different branches of Odd Fellowship. He has lived to witness great changes, none of which are more notable than in transportation. When he came to the United States in 1851 he was a passenger on the sailing vessel Victoria, which was six weeks in completing the trip and encountered one very severe storm. Today the same trip may be made in a little more than four days in vessels that are floating palaces. Other equally notable changes have occurred along many other lines, and marked, indeed, is the contrast between the Ottumwa of today and the little city in which he took up his abode in 1859. He has always been in sympathy with the efforts for its upbuilding, has cooperated in many movements for the general good and as years have gone by has proven his worth as a business man and a citizen, being today one of the highly respected residents of Wapello county. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb