Sanford Henry Bolinger, Carroll Co., IL., then Caddo Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller Date: 1999-2000 *************************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm *************************************************** Sanford Henry Bolinger. The advancement and development ,if a community is but a reflection of the vision, optimism and energy of those who compose its populace, and among the masses certain individuals stand forth with merited distinction as dominant factors in the progress made. Louisiana holds secure advantage as the leaching lumber producing state in the Union, and in the winning of this leadership Sanford H. Bolinger, of Shreveport, has long been recognized as one whose activities have contributed in no small degree, for more than thirty-five years he has been a prominent figure in the lumber industry of the Southwest. His operations have not been restricted by the limitations of any single state or locality, hut have extended into many sections and have attained such magnitude as to bring to him not only abundant material success, but also recognition as one of the leading lumbermen of the entire South. Mr. Bolinger was born in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois, January 5, 1853, a son of John B. and Sophia (Corbin) Bolinger, and is the eldest in a family of eight children. In those days the spirit of pioneer adventure was ruling strong with the people, stirred him activity by the story of wonderful opportunity in the newer country to the west, and in November of 1864 John B. Bolinger, with his wife and their family of six children, migrated from their home in Carroll County, Illinois, to a new location in Arkansas, where they became numbered among the pioneers of that section. The journey from the old home to the new was made overland; one large covered wagon, drawn by two yoke of oxen, and a smaller wagon, drawn by one horse, constituted the little caravan and several weeks were required in which to complete the journey. Aside from the usual hardships incident to such journeys one particular incident stands out with especial prominence, namely, a serious accident which unfortunately befell the immediate subject of this review. Although he was then but a lad of less than nine years he took his regular turn at the daily tasks, frequently relieving his father by driving the oxen, guiding them safely over the rough and hazardous places in the trail. Upon one occasion, while so engaged, he lost his balance and fell from the wagon, suffering a broken leg. This mishap meant much to the entire party, not alone because of the physical injury and suffering to the victim, but further in view of the fact that time was a factor of much importance. Winter was rapidly approaching, and there yet remained a considerable distance to go ere the little party would reach their intended destination, so after serious consideration it was decided to proceed on their way. Accordingly, the little sufferer was made as comfortable as was possible under such circumstances by being placed in the spring wagon, and he completed the remainder of the journey that way. Arriving in Kansas without further unusual incident, a location was made about fourteen miles from Fort Scott, and here John B. Bolinger engaged in farming and, later, in the lumber business. To those hardy pioneers who with optimism and courage calmly faced the dangers and privations of the unbroken prairies life presented the rough and seamy side. They were destined to endure the dangers of the elements, and other enemies as well; neighbors were few and far between; the nearest trading post was Fort Scott, fourteen miles away, while bands of hostile Indians, and oftentimes bands of marauding outlaws, roamed the country at will. Guerrilla warfare, a feature of the Civil war then being waged between the states of the North and the South, was being carried on with particular fury on the borderland of Kansas, and the settlers lived in an atmosphere of constant danger. It was amidst such scenes, handicapped by the limited advantages of a newly settled country, that Sanford H. Bolinger grew to manhood. His early education was obtained in the country schools, a training he supplemented with a two-year course in Normal College near Bloomington, Illinois. He taught school for one year in Fort Scott, and also was engaged for some time as a nursery salesman, and served his apprenticeship in the retail lumber business in Kansas, and later became associated with the Southern Pine Lumber Company, with headquarters in Texarkana. In 1892 he perfected the organization of S. H. Bolinger & Company, Inc., and began his independent career as a lumber manufacturer. Mills were erected and operated by him at various points, one of the largest mills being located at Bolinger, Louisiana, about thirty miles north of Shreveport, and although the milling industry has since been discontinued at that point, he still retains ownership of the land, upon which valuable oil and gas production is now being obtained. In association with Mr. A. L. Franklin he later established the Clear Creek Lumber Company and began extensive operations near Lake Charles, Louisiana, and from this tract of timber was cut one hundred million feet of lumber. Mr. Bolinger also served as president of the Bolinger- Franklin Lumber Company, operating mills at Zama, Mississippi, while the Choctaw Lumber Company, of which he is the president, and which is conducting extensive operations at Bolinger, Alabama, represents still further activities on his part in the lumber industry. He is also president of the wholesale lumber firm of S. H. Bolinger & Company at Shreveport. Mr. Bolinger has been a resident of Shreveport since 1902, and while the magnitude of his business operations have made heavy demands upon his time and attention, he has always welcomed the opportunity to aid in the upbuilding of the city, while all civic movements tending towards the betterment of his community have found in him an enthusiastic and liberal supporter. He served for three Years as president of the Louisiana State Fair Association is now a member of the board of directors, and has ever been a potent factor in its success. He is also the organizer of the Shreveport Golf and Country Club, of which he continues a director, and is known as the "father" of the club. He purchased a thousand acres of land adjacent to the city, and upon the organization of the club tendered to the directors the choice of such part thereof as they might consider best suited to their use. A tract of one hundred and forty acres was selected, and transfer thereof was made at actual cost and without profit to the vendor. Mr. Bolinger is also a past president of the Shreveport Country Home Association, is a past president of the Open Shop Association, a member of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and of the Rotary Club, and is a director in the Y. M. C. A. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now serving it as a steward. In fraternal circles he is an Odd Fellow and an Elk. In 1883 Mr. Bolinger married Miss Florentine Green, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union there have been born four children: B. Hudson Bolinger; Minta Ursie, now the wife of Dr. C. L LaRue; Isa Nancy, now Mrs. H. V. Balcom; and John H. Bolinger. NOTE: A signed photograph/painting accompanies this narrative in the referenced source. A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 99-100, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.