Alfred S. Bolton

Alfred S. Bolton (1827-1901) of Thomas Bolton and Sons

1827 Born son of Thomas Bolton

1881 Alfred S. Bolton 54, J.P., Brass & Copper Manufacturer, Employing 170 Hands, lived in Cheadle with Rebecca D. Bolton 48, Rebecca F. Bolton 25, Thomas Bolton 23, Brass & Copper Manufacturer, Nina Bolton 22, Sarah M.B. Bolton 20, Francis A. Bolton 15, Isabella C. Bolton 13

Director British Aluminium Co

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1902 Obituary

ALFRED S. BOLTON, the well-known copper-wire maker, was born in 1827, near Birmingham, and died last December at the ripe age of 76.

He was educated at University College, London. His father's health compelled him to take charge of the business of Thomas Bolton & Sons very early.

In 1852 the wire-drawing department was removed to Oakamoor, where at first only fifty hands were employed, but latterly between six and seven hundred were on the books. His energy secured virtually the monopoly of submarine cable conductor making. All the early cables were made with Bolton's copper. The wire supplied for the Atlantic cable had a conductivity of only 40 per cent, of pure copper, but, inspired by Lord Kelvin, Mr. Bolton soon remedied this defect, and latterly copper of over 100 per cent, of conductivity was turned out from Oakamoor.

In addition to the works at Birmingham and Oakamoor, there are works at Froghall, large smelting, refining, and rolling mills at Widnes, and engineering works at St. Helens.

Altogether they employ from 1,500 to 2,000 hands. Mr. Bolton was full of enterprise. He joined many electrical companies, and was closely allied with the British Aluminium Company, whose works are at Larne, Foyers, and Milton, near Stoke. He had great faith in the future of aluminium.

He was of an enquiring and inventive disposition. All the works are full of ingenious contrivances emanating from his resourceful mind. He was an ardent sportsman and a keen shot. He took a deep interest in political, county, municipal, educational, and technical matters, and his absence will be severely felt in his own neighbourhood. His face and presence will be much missed by a large number of earnest electrical friends.

Mr. Bolton was elected a Member of the Institution on the 11th of March? 1886.

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