| Service:
Confederate States of America
Militia: State of South
Carolina Home Guard
Served as a teenager
The following information on Oliver "Duck"
Bolt was submitted by great-great-granddaughter, J. Hammond:
Oliver "Duck" Bolt became famous for operating the
first cotton gin
powered by long distance electricity. The experimental hydro-electric
Portman Shoals plant was located several miles from the Bolt farm and
the power company wanted to run a transmission line across the property.
Oliver allowed the power company right of way and also announced he
would hook up to the line and operate his cotton gin with electricity.
Duck was known for his progressive farming methods. In addition to
the cotton gin he owned a grist mill and wheat thrasher. He believed in
value of hard work. He became a Christian at age 50 and joined New
Prospect Baptist Church. He was a deacon and a highly respected citizen
of the community.
Duck had a humble
beginning. He had no formal schooling. He was called to serve in the
Confederate Army before he reached the age of 18. All of his eight
brothers also served; Thomas and Crombie died in battle and Lewis and
Edmond died of fever. At the end of the Civil War Oliver returned to
Anderson and married Permelia Abercrombie and then began renting a farm
of his own. In 1876 Duck bought a large farm of more than 300
acres located 3 miles west of Anderson (Hwy24).
Children of Mr. &
Mrs. Oliver Bolt: John, Julia Evaline B. Keasler, Willie Edmond, Cora
Ann B. Massey, Lewis Baylis, Belton Asa, Joseph Prevost (my Great
Grandfather) |