The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-09-07
Wealthy Woman and a
Benefactress in Her
Quiet Way
ALWAYS INTERESTED
IN BARRE'S WELFARE
End Came To-day After
She Had Been Sick
Many Months

Barre's wealthlest woman ana one VINO
was always interested in the welfare
OF the community and who, in a quiet
way, was a liberal contributor to the
comfort and well ll-being of many peo-
pie, passed away to-day at her home,
2s3 North Main street, after being IN
declining health for several months.
The last sickness started last Decem-
ber and since that time Mrs. Bolster
had been gradually weakening because
OF the infrmities of advancing years
But although she was failing all the
time during the past eight months she
maintained cheerful and hopeful at
titude and was pleased in the company
of her relatives and close friends. Her
mind remained keen until three days
ago when she lapsed into unconscious
ness, and the end came at 1880 THIS
forenoon.
Her death occurred in the house
where she was born So years ago and
which her father, carpenter, ouilt
9S years ago, Except for short tune
while living at house in Jockey Hoi-
low, Mrs. Bolster had always had her
home in the Bolster homestead. She was
born Aug. ], 1888, one OF three daugh-
ters of Joel and Fidelia Reed Boil
ster. Her two sisters died some years
ago, Mrs Helen G. Wood passing away
in 1911 and Mrs. Fidelia b. Smith IN
1913.
Mrs. Bolster obtained her education
in the schools OF Barre and at the age
of 26 she was married to Levi j. Boil
ster in Barre Feb q, 1861. Her hus-
hand was silk merchant and when
the couple went TO Albany, \, u, on
their honeymoon it was decided TO I'M
prove the opportunity offered in enter
ing a new field by canyassing the city
While the husband was making sales
on one side of a street, the bride OF
few days took the sample skeins and
eanyassed the other side. In the early
DAYS Of their marriage, as IN after
years, Mrs Bolster proved herself re-
sourccfnl as well as devoted help
mate. A part Of her business training
was developed through her long famil-
iaritY with Pr. Bolster's extensive
dealings: indeed, she was at once his
wife and business partner. When has
death occurred Dec. %, 1908, Mrs. Boi-
ster was remarkably well equipped to
carry on the interests which he ac-
quired from time to time.
The wide diversity Of these interests
was sufficient to tax the ability and
strength of the most sagacious bust
ness head. but Mrs. Bolster continued
in the active management OF her own
~ l.. fsaa. In n
alone there are more than 100 tene-
ments which she owned and controlled.
In East Barre and in Websterville
there were other tenements which she
retained under her direct personal su-
pervision after her husbands death.
Added 10 this. there is a business block
in Barre, one of the largest in the
city, which she continued to manage
up TO the later years of her life.
On Granite street until a few years
ago She possessed stonesheds that
housed 20 manufacturing tenants and
furnished the power which propelled
their machinery She operated the pol
ishing mill in connection with the
manufacturing business and dealt with
many manufacturers who had no tacll-
tiles for polishing.
on North Main street the large
building occupied by the Union Cloth
ing store and formerly used as R skat
ing rink was her property. In the rear
is located the Jones & Hall livery
barns. also the property Of Mrs. Boil
ster Until July, 1912, she owned the
Granite City Driving park, so-called,
off Ayers street. The land was sold TO
the Barre Granite railroad at round
figure.
Her tenements were scattered over
the length and breadth Of the city.
There were other odd pieces of prop
erty that would require a good deal Of
space TO enumerate. In Barre Town Is
located the Bolster farm, 300 acres of
the best land TO be found in Vermont,
which she recently disposed OF. The
farm was a hobby Of the late L. J. Boil
ster and his wife continued the i'm
provements which he started. Among
the miscellaneous odds and ends of 9th
e. real estate belonging to The deceased
are the block on Depot square occupied
bv the Alexander & Co. and Calder i
Richardson.
Mrs. Bolster held a peculiar place in
the business life Of the city. While as
sisting her late husband in the store
and at the ledger she gained an insight
into financial procedure and business
management that was later 10 stand
her in good stead when the duty of
controlling a magnitude of Interests
devolved upon her II Mr.. Bolster was
keen Judge of business opportunity
and rarely made mistakes, II Is certain
that none Of the acumen which seemed
10 be an underlying trait IN him was
lost in his wife She retained not only
tho large holdings which he left her,
but accumulated more a the years
went past Naturally possessing a
thrifty disposition. she was never mig
pardlv in the last analysis of the term
and there are many who are grateful
to-day for her vel remembered mani
festations of generous spirit.
When some civic enterprise that
promised TO advance the interests of
Barre materially came mp Mrs. Bolster
Vas quite certain 90 become one Of
TIE promoters 81 the enterprises and
she was ! liberal subscriber 20 many
prajerts. During the war shc loaned
considerable sums To the government
through the various issues Of Liberty
bonds. and she otherwise assisted in
the various war movements by gener-
Gus aid Mrs Bolster took great
pride in Barre ard TIE city's develop
rneut and she vas al~ays a stauneh
defender ~ she citv
A. one of the most foroeful personal
tiles En- the business life of Barre, ne
vin Be gres..F misssd and N a very