William Emery Bolles
(1865- ? )
William Emery Bolles was born on November 2, 1865, to George Bolles and Mary Angeline (Powers) Bolles. His father was 44 years old at the time of his birth, and his mother was 38.
He married Ada A. Ridge on August 7, 1901.
Education and Early Career
William attended college in Brookings, South Dakota, beginning in 1885. He later continued his studies at Ames, Iowa (Iowa State), entering in 1887 and graduating in 1891.
Following his education, he worked as a civil engineering draftsman in New Jersey. In 1893, he traveled to Mexico to attempt coffee cultivation, but later returned to the United States and resumed work as a draftsman in Paterson, New Jersey.
Professional Life
In 1900, William began working for the American Bridge Company in Minneapolis. His engineering work later took him to one of the most significant construction efforts of the era, where he served as an engineer on the Panama Canal.
In later years, he lived in California, where he became associated with the Theosophical movement.
Siblings
William Emery Bolles was one of seven children. His siblings included:
- Mary Augusta Bolles (1851–1936)
- Edgar Goff Bolles (1852–1875)
- Cyrus Story Bolles (1854–1856)
- Clara Bolles (1857–?)
- Estella Bolles (1859–1892)
- George Summer Bolles (1860–?)
Later Years and Legacy
William Emery Bolles died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Los Angeles, though the exact date of his death is not recorded.
His life reflects a wide-ranging career shaped by education, engineering, and participation in major industrial and international projects of his time.
