The Livonia Gazette
Livonia, Livingston County, New York.
Friday, December 9, 1892

DEATH OF ELTON BOLLES.

Elton Bolles, who died last Friday after an illness of but a few days, was born near New London, Conn., Nov. 26, 1815. His father was Ezra Bolles, a shoemaker and farmer. He moved with his parents to the town ef Geneseo, on the road between the village of Geneseo and Lakeville, in 1818. The next year tbe family removed to the piece of land now owned by James Armstrong, just west of M. M. Gillett's, but as the title was not satisfactory, they bought, and removed to, the homestead farm now owned and occupied by John P. Bolles where Ezra established a shoe shop. He died in 1828, leaving a family consisting of the widow, five boys and two girls one of the girls being a half sister to the rest, a daughter by his first marriage. Elton was the oldest of the boys at his fathers death. His age was 13. He told his mother he would stand by her and help bring up the family, which he did, staying with her for nineteen years, with the exception of two years, which he spent at South Livonia in the shoemaking business, where he employed several hands and conducted a large business for those days. Elton followed the shoemaking business, connected with farming, for eighteen years, running his father's old shop, on the home farm, making and repairing boots and shoes for the people of a large part of the surrounding country, at times employing several hands. About 1845 he bought the farm at Conesus lake now known as Lake-View, and occupied by Jerry Bolles, and in 1847 married Euretta Freeman and removed to the place, where he lived until 1858, when he came to this village, having purchased property from some years previous. Later on he bought several acres of ground where the union school building and the residences on tbe Pinnacle now stand, and the former residence of B. T. Briggs, which Mrs. Hulbert now owns. Always progressive, and greatly given to making improvements, he laid out streets and erected buildings, giving the present beautiful south part of the town its start, and encouraging in every way its growth. The residences between H. G. Gary's and the Keep place, on Big Tree street, are erected on land sold by Mr. Bolles. At the time of bis death he had other projects in view toward laying out new streets and erecting houses to sell or rent, and a large part of the growth of the village is due to his efforts. Elton Bolles was a true son of his mother, who was an earnest Christian woman. He lived a life full of goodness aud self-sacrifice toward all mankind. Those who knew him best aver that be never entertained a selfish thought in his life, such was the nobility of his nature. While he never United with any church, his life was one of true Christianity, his deeds proving his worth and goodness. He never was given to unkind word, he had a smile and a shake of the hand for every one, high or low, and never turned a deaf ear to any one in trouble or to the advancement of any worthy object always ready and willing to help any one who was worthy and trying to help himself. His means and time were freely offered, and any favor shown by him was never mentioned by him afterward, so retiring, gentle and unassuming was his disposition. Never a communicative man, and never obtrusive, he was not so well known in public life, though he has held many positions of trust; thoroughly honest, his word was as good as his bond. He leaves to mourn his loss, of his immediate family, his wife, three brothers, John, Jerry and William and his nephew, Elton R. Bolles.

Livonia Dec. 7.

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