219 CHARLES STREET HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Architect:  John Forin

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Builder:    Mr. Fahey Built in 1870

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Design Commission:  Mr. Ezra Holton hired John Forin & Mr. Fahey to design and build a home for his son, George Clement Holton and his wife, Augusta.

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Ezra Holton and his wife built and lived in the gold brick mansion located on the corner of Charles and Bridge Street, adjacent to identical red brick semi-detached homes at 215/217 and 219/221 Charles Street.  Both homes featured similar structural designs but with varying porticos.  These homes were built for Ezra’s four children, with one daughter being the spouse of the mayor of Belleville in 1870.  His son, George Clement Holton, became the initial owner/tenant of 219 Charles Street, who was born in Belleville in 1842. In 1856, he entered the New York Renseller Polytechnic Institute, followed by commercial college in Buffalo, NY.  George took over the books of his father’s establishment in 1866 with Henry R. Atkins under the firm G.C. Holton and Co.  Also working as a collector of Inland Revenue at this port, he successfully operated the family business after his father, Ezra, died of typhoid fever at the age of 36.  Today these mansions preside over the prestigious area known as the “Old East Hill”.