Waldo Bolln is one key member of the Bolin family, an enterprising group that helped keep food and other necessaries in the pantries of the earliest Douglas settlers, and of several generations of their descendants.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Waldo Bolln came to Douglas in 1901, to work with his brother, Otto, in the flourishing general merchandise store owned and operated by their uncle, George Bolln. (The elder Bolln had purchased the store at the US Army's Fort Fetterman, then moved it to nearby Douglas in 1888; by the time Waldo arrived, George Bolln was renowned as one of the leading merchants in Converse County.) After the death of their uncle in 1904, the brothers continued to jointly operate the George Bolln Mercantile Company for the next 10 years.
Then, in 1914, Waldo decided to try his hand at dairy farming. Traveling to Wisconsin, he purchased a dairy herd and brought it to Douglas -- only to discover, upon arrival, that the entire herd was tubercular and had to be destroyed. (The Wisonsin veterinarian who had certified the herd was convicted of fraud and imprisoned.)
the following year, Waldo formed a partnership with friend Albert Peyton, and the two established the Peyton Bolln Grocery in Douglas. Bolln eventually became sole owner of the business, which he ran successfully until 1936, when he relinquished management to his son, Otto, who operated the store until 1970. The elder Bolln went on to serve as the Douglas Postmaster until his death.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Waldo Bolln came to Douglas in 1901, to work with his brother, Otto, in the flourishing general merchandise store owned and operated by their uncle, George Bolln. (The elder Bolln had purchased the store at the US Army's Fort Fetterman, then moved it to nearby Douglas in 1888; by the time Waldo arrived, George Bolln was renowned as one of the leading merchants in Converse County.) After the death of their uncle in 1904, the brothers continued to jointly operate the George Bolln Mercantile Company for the next 10 years.
Then, in 1914, Waldo decided to try his hand at dairy farming. Traveling to Wisconsin, he purchased a dairy herd and brought it to Douglas -- only to discover, upon arrival, that the entire herd was tubercular and had to be destroyed. (The Wisonsin veterinarian who had certified the herd was convicted of fraud and imprisoned.)
the following year, Waldo formed a partnership with friend Albert Peyton, and the two established the Peyton Bolln Grocery in Douglas. Bolln eventually became sole owner of the business, which he ran successfully until 1936, when he relinquished management to his son, Otto, who operated the store until 1970. The elder Bolln went on to serve as the Douglas Postmaster until his death.
Waldo Bolln is one key member of the Bolin family, an enterprising group that helped keep food and other necessaries in the pantries of the earliest Douglas settlers, and of several generations of their descendants.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Waldo Bolln came to Douglas in 1901, to work with his brother, Otto, in the flourishing general merchandise store owned and operated by their uncle, George Bolln. (The elder Bolln had purchased the store at the US Army's Fort Fetterman, then moved it to nearby Douglas in 1888; by the time Waldo arrived, George Bolln was renowned as one of the leading merchants in Converse County.) After the death of their uncle in 1904, the brothers continued to jointly operate the George Bolln Mercantile Company for the next 10 years.
Then, in 1914, Waldo decided to try his hand at dairy farming. Traveling to Wisconsin, he purchased a dairy herd and brought it to Douglas -- only to discover, upon arrival, that the entire herd was tubercular and had to be destroyed. (The Wisonsin veterinarian who had certified the herd was convicted of fraud and imprisoned.)
the following year, Waldo formed a partnership with friend Albert Peyton, and the two established the Peyton Bolln Grocery in Douglas. Bolln eventually became sole owner of the business, which he ran successfully until 1936, when he relinquished management to his son, Otto, who operated the store until 1970. The elder Bolln went on to serve as the Douglas Postmaster until his death.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Waldo Bolln came to Douglas in 1901, to work with his brother, Otto, in the flourishing general merchandise store owned and operated by their uncle, George Bolln. (The elder Bolln had purchased the store at the US Army's Fort Fetterman, then moved it to nearby Douglas in 1888; by the time Waldo arrived, George Bolln was renowned as one of the leading merchants in Converse County.) After the death of their uncle in 1904, the brothers continued to jointly operate the George Bolln Mercantile Company for the next 10 years.
Then, in 1914, Waldo decided to try his hand at dairy farming. Traveling to Wisconsin, he purchased a dairy herd and brought it to Douglas -- only to discover, upon arrival, that the entire herd was tubercular and had to be destroyed. (The Wisonsin veterinarian who had certified the herd was convicted of fraud and imprisoned.)
the following year, Waldo formed a partnership with friend Albert Peyton, and the two established the Peyton Bolln Grocery in Douglas. Bolln eventually became sole owner of the business, which he ran successfully until 1936, when he relinquished management to his son, Otto, who operated the store until 1970. The elder Bolln went on to serve as the Douglas Postmaster until his death.
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