EDWARD S. BOALT, Dayton, Ohio
Edward S. Boalt, who is now running a switch engine on the Erie at Dayton, was born at Watertown, New York, on October 14, 1844. He enlisted in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery in August, 1862, and served until September, 1865. He began his railroad career in February, 1866, as a flagman on the Atlantic & Great Western at Marion, being advanced to fireman in June of the same year, and promoted to engineer in December, 1869.

Mr. Boalt has been in two accidents, the first caused by an explosion of nitro-glycerin at Urbana while he was firing, the second being while he was pulling train 8, the latter being so serious that he was forced to give up his fine road run and take a switch engine.

Mr. Boalt was married November 26, 1867, to Miss Bella M. Johnson, of Marion, and they have had two children, one of whom is dead. He is a member of B. of L. E., Lodge No. l6; Marion Lodge, No. 70, F. & A. M.; Marion Commandery, No. 36, and Alladin Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the April, 1925 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Edward S. Boalt is a retired Erie Railroad engineer, and is a product of the Chicago Region, on which he manipulated engines in the days when the older among us were youngsters.

He is now 81 years of age, and is spending his declining years with his son, who resides in Dayton, OH. He is quite a vigorous man, and enjoys life quietly observing railroading as it is performed in the present day of modern enterprise. He was a good and ernest employe in his day, and when the spirit moves him can tell many interesting stories of when hand brakes were used in operating trains through a country much less thickly populated than now.

He entered the Erie service February 1, 1866, as watchman, then began firing. He was promoted to engineer December 8, 1870. He retired July 12, 1912. He is a veteran of the Civil War and was twice wounded.

Mr. Boalt advises than he came to take employment with the company when he was visiting his brother, who was a telegraph operator at Marion during January, 1866. He was just recovering from a siege of fever he had contracted in the army and accepted a place as crossing watchman for the B&I, now the CCC&StL Railroad. He remained in that position for about three weeks, and from there went to Dayton, working in various positions until June 6, when he entered the service as fireman.

As to what induced him to remain with the company so many years, he states it was fair and courteous treatment from his superiors, always, and outdoor employment being beneficial to his health.

With reference to his opinions of the railroad situation in general, he states that they are rather limited, as he is unable to get around and talk with people as much as he would like to, but from what he has read and heard he is of the opinion that the people in general feel more kindly towards the railroads than ever.

From the April, 1928 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Edward S. Boalt, 84 years old, a retired Erie Railroad engineer, died in hospital at Dayton, OH, last January 16, 1928. He was born October 14, 1844 in Watertown, NY to George A. Boalt and Jan I. Massey. In 1866 he came to Galion, OH and became a flagman on the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, now the Erie, and then fireman. In 1869 he was promoted to engineer. Mr. Boalt's wife and daughter, Nellie, died and he had made his home with his son, George, at 124 Lexington Ave., Dayton. A brother, John Boalt, also lives at Dayton.