George R. Bolen

    George R. Bolen, hardware merchant was born, in Madison, November 14, 1860. He attended the public schools of Madison; and is a graduate of Halbert's Business College.

    After leaving college he entered the post-office as clerk, under the late Co. M. C. Garber, and continued with him for four years.

    In 1879 Mr. Bolen took a position with Mr. F. G. Wharton, who was in the hardware business, with whom he remained until July 1, 1888, when he bought him out.

    The firm name being Geo. B. Bolen & Co., they carry a full line of shelf hardware and carpenter's tools; and make a specialty of breech-loading shot guns and small arms. They have a fine trade, and the long experience of Mr. Bolen in the business gives him a great advantage in the trade, as he is complete master of it.

    Mr. Bolen is a member of the K. of P., and a past chancellor of the order. He is a member of the Trinity M. E. Church, of which he is an officer.

    He is the son of Sims B. and Elizabeth Bolen, natives of Kentucky, who came to Madison just before the war. Mr. Sims Bolen, the father, has been superintendent of the Gas Co.'s works for about thirty years.

    He was a member of the 67th Indiana Volunteers during the late war, and a man respected by all who know him.

    Mr. Geo. R. Bolen, the subject of this sketch, is a man of integrity and good business habits and qualifications, affable and pleasant in manner. He made many friends while in the post-office, a place which tries the patience of both the patron and the employee, but George came out of it with more staunch friends than when he went in to it, and with his pleasant way only made brighter by the constant trial.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.