A North Dakota Story
Other North Dakota Stories . . .
A Brief Anecdote:

Desolation and emptiness of the North Dakota praire greeted my grandfather, Fred J. Bolton in the winter of 1905.  His former home had been Oxfordshire/Bloxum, England.  Later, his parents and nine siblings would settle in Ontario, Canada. 

The reason for their departure is unclear.  The economic conditions of the time, increasing population in and around London, or the lure of prosperity in a new land were perhaps all contributing factors.

In England, Fred's daily trek to work was on his nichol plated bicycle along majestic streets.  Almost every building had historic significance, whereas most of the real estate on the prairie in the town of Sherwood, North Dakota had been erected during the previous winter of 1904.
Foundations for the structures were wooden planks or field stones.

As an apprentice in London he had learned blacksmithing.  His skills encompassed ornamental iron work, metalurgy, tempering, case hardening, forge welding, wagon, carriage, wheel repair, and horseshoeing.  

Furthering his education in night school he studied music and received his formal education in literature, sciences and mathematics. In the years to come, electricity and the internal combustion engine would begin to influence transportation, homes, and the workplace.  He was young enough where he embraced the new technology.

Contrasts of life style must have been enormous.  He would never ride his bicycle again, or for that matter never return to England--with one exception--that year Fred returned to England to marry and bring his bride to America. 

This year will mark the 100th anniversary of their marriage.  Both lived out their lives in the United States.  They always had kind things to say about their birthplace, but apparently never wanted to return.

Copyright 2005 by Tom Bolton
Ankle Deep in the Big Muddy
Three Centuries of Technology
The Mighty Shovel
Photos
The Author . . .
Name: Tom Bolton
Email: renville46@yahoo.com
Computer Rendering -- Bolton's Blacksmith Shop, Circa 1940-1980