Principal, James F. Bolster, Building Contractor, Bellingham, WA. Bolster was active as a plaster and cement contractor, in Bellingham, c. 1890; Principal, James F. Bolster, Building Contractor, Spokane, WA, c. 1900-1918.

Bolster was born in Westfield, IA, in 1858, and had relocated to Central City in the Colorado Territory by 1870. He lived in KS during the 1880s, where his first son, James, was born. He had come to Bellingham, WA, by 1891, at least, when he built his house at 2820 Eldridge Street; a decade later, he and his family lived at 212 Adams Street in Spokane, WA; in 1910, his family had switched houses, residing at 2915 29th Avenue where they remained until at least 1918. In 1920, he rented a house at 918 1/2 Franklin in Olympia, WA; the household consisted of five people: he and his wife, and their two daughters, Mary and Helen, and Helen's daughter, Aryness (born c. 1915 in WA). By 1930, his wife, Mary, had died three years earlier, and he lived with his daughter, Mary, and granddaughter, Dorothy R. Metsker (born c. 1925 in WA) in Los Angeles, CA, at 2203 Midvale Ave, in a $60-per-month rented house. Bolster and his third wife, Caroline, occupied an apartment at 948 South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles from at least 1935-1940. He died in Los Angeles, a day before his 101st birthday, and was buried in the Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, CA.

His father, James Bolster (born c. 1832), worked as a master carpenter in 1860. (The 1860s Census placed his birthplace in VT, the 1880 Census, in NH.) His mother was Hannah Niffen Bolster (born c. 1838 in Canada) raised two boys in 1860, "Fredy" (born 1858 in IA-d. 1946 in ME) and James, then a baby. In their 20s, James and Hannah had modest wealth, owning $200 in furniture and $200 in personal savings. Ten years later, this had increased to $2,000 in real estate and $600 in savings. James had two sisters, along with his brother: Carrie (born c. 1861 in IA) and Flora (born c. 1868 in CO). Fred will also become a plasterer, like James.

According to the often flawed US Census of 1910, Bolster married twice. His second wife was Mary M. Bolster (born 1866 in PA-d. 1927). The 1940 US Census indicated that he had married a third time, to Caroline Bolster (born c. 1858 in PA).

James and Mary Bolster had four children: James R. (born c. 1888 in KS), Rose M. (born c. 1891 in WA), Helen H. Bolster Norman (born c. 1895 in WA-d. 1936) and Mary F. Bolster Metsker (born c. 1909 in WA). According to the 1910 US Census, James R. Bolster worked as a plaster and cement contractor, like his father. He may have had two children with his first wife: Anna (born 02/1882 in KS) and Charles F. (born 09/1883 in KS).

Bolster was a mason and a Mason. The Masonic symbol appeared on his tombstone, suggesting that that group may have paid for the burial.