Joseph Bolen was born May 22, 1843, the son of Alexander and Lydia (Fout) Bolen.

Joseph Bolen, Age 19, enter service (13th Battery) Nov 21, 1861 (Camp Dennison, Ohio).
Pittsburg Landing, TN, (Shiloh) April 6-7, 1862

Joseph Bolen transferred to (14th Battery) April 20, 1862.

Corinth, MS (Advance on) Apr 29 to May 30, 1863
Resaca, GA May 13-16, 1864
Dallas, GA May 25 to June 4, 1864
Big Shanty,GA June 12-19,1864
Kenesaw Mountain, GA June 20 to July 2, 1864
Ruff's Mills, GA July 3-4, 1864
Chattahoochee River, GA July 6-10, 1864
Atlanta, GA (Siege of) July 28 to Sept 2, 1864
East Point, GA (stationed) Sept, 1864
Battle of Jonesboro Aug 31-Sept 1, 1864
Pursuit of Hood into AL Oct 3-26, 1864
Battle of Nashville, TN Dec 15-16, 1864
Gravelly Spring, AL (stationed) Jan 1865
Vicksburg, MS (stationed) Feb, 1865
New Orleans, LA Mar 1865
Georgetown, GA (stationed) Apr 1865
Columbus, MS (stationed) May-Jul 27, 1865

Joseph Bolen mustered out August 9, 1865


Joseph Bolen married Mary A. Rea on February 23, 1867, in Union County, Ohio. Marriage performed by John W. Rea J.P. (her father).

Joseph and Mary A. (Rea) Bolen had the following children:
1. Ernest O. Bolen (1868-1911) married Olive Osborn.
2. Eddie "Rea" Bolen (1869-1949) married Ettie Estella "Stella" Piper.
3. Alonzo Carlton Bolen (1872-1937) married Lela Fay Cox.
4. Izora A. Bolen (1876-1915) married Thomas C. Morrow.
5. Lyman Perry Bolen (1882-1956) married Grace Batson.
6. Russell Alger Bolen (1890-1961) married first Hazel F. Compton, and married second Mrs. Hazel Trittipo.

Joseph Bolen served in the 13th and 14th Ohio Battery during the Civil War with his cousin Harrison Bolen, the son of Nelson Bolen.

Joseph Bolen and his wife Mary, and family were in the 1870 Census of Bahalia, Washington Township, Union County, Ohio. His father Alexander Bolen and her parents John W. Rea were all next to one another.

1900 United States Federal Census, Washington, Starke, Indiana.

Household Members:Name & Age
Joseph Bolen 47 Birth Date & Place: May 1843, OH
Mary A Bolen 51
Ernest O Bolen 32
Alonzo C Bolen 28
Lyman P Bolen 17
Izora A Bolen 24
Russell A Bolen 9

Joseph Bolen and his wife Mary, and three of their children, are in the 1910 Census of Washington Township, Starke, Indiana.

Joseph Bolen and his wife Mary are in the 1920 Census of Center Township, Starke County, Indiana.

Joseph Bolen died June 4, 1921 in Starke County, Indiana. Mary A. "Mollie" (Rea) Bolen died April 1, 1927 in Laporte, Laporte County, Indiana. Both Joseph and Mary are buried at the Oak Park Cemetery, Knox, Starke County, Indiana.

++++++++++++

According to the Legion index card, he died of a Stroke. Per James VanVoorhis, he was born in Scioto County, Ohio. Died in Knox, Starke County, Indiana. Son of Alexander Zell & Lydia Fout Bolen. Married Mary A Rea February 23rd 1867 in Union County, Ohio. Fought at the Battle of Shiloh with the 13th Ohio Battery. Mustered out of the Service August 9th 1865. Note that tombstone says 14th Battery.