Changes

|occupation=[[Attorney]]

|occupation=[[Attorney]]

|residence=[[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Webster Parish

|residence=[[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Webster Parish

|alma_mater=[[Minden High (Louisiana) High School]]<br/>

|alma_mater=[[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]<br/>

[[Louisiana State University]]

[[Louisiana State University]]

[[Louisiana State University]] Law Center

LSU Law Center

|branch=[[United States Army]]

|branch=[[United States Army]]

|awards=[[Bronze Star]]<br>

|awards=[[Bronze Star]]<br>

[[Purple Heart]]<br>

[[Purple Heart]]<br>

European Theater of Operations Ribbon<br>

European Theater of Operations Ribbon<br>

with four battle stars

with four battle stars

|footnotes=(1) Bolin and his son, [[Bruce M. Bolin]], held the positions of state representative]] and [[judge]] of the 26th Judicial Court – thirty-eight years apart.<br/>

|footnotes=(1) Bolin and his son, [[Bruce Bolin|Bruce M. Bolin]], held the positions of state representative and judge of the 26th Judicial Court – thirty-eight years apart.<br/>

(2) Bolin was among  several Louisiana state legislators who left their posts for military duty during [[World War II]].

(2) Bolin was among  several Louisiana state legislators who left their posts for military duty during [[World War II]].

}}

}}

'''James Edwin Bolin, Sr.''' (August 26, 1914 &ndash; March 25, 2002), was an American jurist and [[politician]] who served as a judge of the [[Louisiana]] Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He was a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana.

'''James Edwin Bolin, Sr.''' (August 26, 1914 &ndash; March 25, 2002), was an American jurist and [[politician]] who served as a judge of the [[Louisiana]] Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He was a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] member from 1940 to 1944 of the Louisiana House of Representatives from [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana.

==Background==

==Background==

Bolin was one of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Bolin in the [[village]] of Doyline in south Webster Parish. E. H. Bolin was a member of the Webster Parish School Board and the subject of a biographical sketch in ''[[North Louisiana History]].''<ref>[[John Ardis Cawthon]], [[Louisiana Tech University]], "E. H. Bolin: School Man of Webster Parish," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Vol. 15 (No. 1), 1984, pp. 41-48; the article was published only a few months before Professor Cawthon's death.</ref> Bolin attended school in Doyline and later transferred to Minden, where he graduated as the class president in 1931 from [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]. His name was misspelled "Bolen" on the graduation program.<ref>Minden High School, 1931 yearbook, Minden, Louisiana.</ref>

Bolin was one of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Bolin in the [[village]] of Doyline in south Webster Parish. E. H. Bolin was a member of the Webster Parish School Board and the subject of a biographical sketch in ''[[North Louisiana History]].''<ref>[[John Ardis Cawthon]], [[Louisiana Tech University]], "E. H. Bolin: School Man of Webster Parish," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'', Vol. 15 (No. 1), 1984, pp. 41-48; the article was published only a few months before Professor Cawthon's death.</ref> Bolin attended school in Doyline and later transferred to Minden, where he graduated as the class president in 1931 from [[Minden (Louisiana) High School]]. His name was misspelled "Bolen" on the graduation program.<ref>Minden High School, 1931 yearbook, Minden, Louisiana.</ref>

Bolin then procured his undergraduate degree in 1935 from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. He obtained his legal degree from the LSU Law Center in 1937 and maintained a private practice in Minden from 1937 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1952. For a time in the late 1980s, Bolin practiced law in Minden —estates, divorces, and automobile accident claims, primarily—with his younger son, [[Bruce Bolin|Bruce M. Bolin]], who later moved to [[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]].<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' December 30, 1986, p. 4.</ref>

Bolin then procured his undergraduate degree in 1935 from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. He obtained his legal degree from the LSU Law Center in 1937 and maintained a private practice in Minden from 1937 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1952. For a time in the late 1980s, Bolin practiced law in Minden —estates, divorces, and automobile accident claims, primarily—with his younger son, [[Bruce Bolin|Bruce M. Bolin]], who later moved to [[Bossier City]].<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' December 30, 1986, p. 4.</ref>

In 1937, Bolin wed his Minden High School classmate, the former Mary Eloise Martin (October 30, 1913 &ndash; September 20, 2007), a 1935 graduate of [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] and a former [[high school]] [[Englishh]] teacher. The Bolins had two daughters, Beth Bolin Falk and Becky Bolin Maupin, and another lawyer son, James E. Bolin, Jr. (born 1941) of [[Shreveport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1875163_1?noconfirm=0|title=James E. Bolin Jr.|publisher=pview.findlaw.com|accessdate=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

In 1937, Bolin wed his Minden High School classmate, the former Mary Eloise Martin (October 30, 1913 &ndash; September 20, 2007), a 1935 graduate of [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] and a former [[high school]] [[English]] teacher. The Bolins had two daughters, Beth Bolin Falk and Becky Bolin Maupin, and another lawyer son, James E. Bolin, Jr. (born 1941) of [[Shreveport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1875163_1?noconfirm=0|title=James E. Bolin Jr.|publisher=pview.findlaw.com|accessdate=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

==Legislator and soldier==

==Legislator and soldier==

Bolin served in the state House during the administration of [[Governor]] [[Sam Houston Jones]], who in 1940 proposed the creation of a state crime commission, which consisted of the governor, his executive counsel, and the state attorney general. With a $1 million appropriation, the agency was commissioned to pursue those who had stolen state funds or property. Jones suggested that up to $4 million might be recovered. Bolin sought to reduce the appropriation to $250,000. State Senator Lloyd Leroy Hendrick of Shreveport wanted to establish a legislative commission, rather than an executive body. Nevertheless, the measure easily passed both houses and was signed into law. A few lawmakers loyal to then former Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]] charged that the commission gave too much power to the governor and was "[[Tyranny|tyrannical]]" in nature. They successfully sued, and the Louisiana Supreme Court declared the Jones commission unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lhVPujF2H94C&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=former+la.+state+rep.+t.+c.+brister&source=bl&ots=0YJFzRc9r9&sig=70PlajzgFaHh4Tk-PQE3x9t3v8U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YQwqVJTqFY2ryAT7wYDABg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=former%20la.%20state%20rep.%20t.%20c.%20brister&f=false|title=Louisiana During World War II: Politics and Society, 1939-1945|title=Jerry Purvis Sanson|pages=60–62|date=1999|publisher=[[Louisiana State University]] Press|location=[[Baton Rouge]]|isbn=0-8071-2308-0|accessdate=November 19, 2014}}</ref>

Bolin served in the state House during the administration of [[Governor]] [[Sam Houston Jones]], who in 1940 proposed the creation of a state crime commission, which consisted of the governor, his executive counsel, and the state attorney general. With a $1 million appropriation, the agency was commissioned to pursue those who had stolen state funds or property. Jones suggested that up to $4 million might be recovered. Bolin sought to reduce the appropriation to $250,000. State Senator Lloyd Leroy Hendrick of Shreveport wanted to establish a legislative commission, rather than an executive body. Nevertheless, the measure easily passed both houses and was signed into law. A few lawmakers loyal to then former Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]] charged that the commission gave too much power to the governor and was "[[Tyranny|tyrannical]]" in nature. They successfully sued, and the Louisiana Supreme Court declared the Jones commission unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lhVPujF2H94C&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=former+la.+state+rep.+t.+c.+brister&source=bl&ots=0YJFzRc9r9&sig=70PlajzgFaHh4Tk-PQE3x9t3v8U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YQwqVJTqFY2ryAT7wYDABg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=former%20la.%20state%20rep.%20t.%20c.%20brister&f=false|title=Louisiana During World War II: Politics and Society, 1939-1945|title=Jerry Purvis Sanson|pages=60–62|date=1999|publisher=[[Louisiana State University]] Press|location=[[Baton Rouge]]|isbn=0-8071-2308-0|accessdate=November 19, 2014}}</ref>

    

    

From 1942 to 1946, while still a state representative for two years remaining in his term, Bolin served in the European Theater of World War II, including England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. He received the [[Bronze Star]], the [[Purple Heart]], the French Croix de Guerre, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the European Theater of Operations Ribbon, with four battle stars.<ref name=bolintorun>"James E. Bolin Announces for District Attorney," ''Minden Herald,'' July 16, 1948, p. 1.</ref> After the war, he served with the prosecution team at the historic war crime trials at [[Nuremberg]], [[Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=05RS&b=HCR211&sbi=y|title=House Concurrent Resolution No. 211 of the 2005 Regular Session by Representatives [[Billy Montgomery]] and Jean Doerge and Senator [[Robert Adley]]|publisher=legis.state.la.us|accessdate=July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref name=lasc>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasc.org/community_outreach/in_memoriam/bolin_james.asp|title=In Memoriam: James Bolin|publisher=lasc.org|accessdate=July 11, 2010}}</ref>

From 1942 to 1946, while still a state representative for two years remaining in his term, Bolin served in the European Theater of World War II, including England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. He received the [[Bronze Star]], the [[Purple Heart]], the French Croix de Guerre, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the European Theater of Operations Ribbon, with four battle stars.<ref name=bolintorun>"James E. Bolin Announces for District Attorney," ''Minden Herald,'' July 16, 1948, p. 1.</ref> After the war, he served with the prosecution team at the historic war crime trials at [[Nuremberg]], [[Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=05RS&b=HCR211&sbi=y|title=House Concurrent Resolution No. 211 of the 2005 Regular Session by Representatives [[Billy Montgomery]] and Jean Doerge and Senator [[Robert Adley (Louisiana politician)|Robert Roy Adley]]|publisher=legis.state.la.us|accessdate=July 11, 2010}}</ref><ref name=lasc>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasc.org/community_outreach/in_memoriam/bolin_james.asp|title=In Memoriam: James Bolin|publisher=lasc.org|accessdate=July 11, 2010}}</ref>

Bolin while overseas in war did not seek reelection to the Louisiana House and was succeeded by [[C. W. Thompson]] of Doyline, then the president of the Webster Parish School Board. Thompson ran unopposed in 1944 for Bolin's seat. Bolin practiced law in Minden prior to his military service and from 1946 to 1948 in Springhill in northern Webster Parish.<ref name=bolintorun/>

Bolin while overseas in war did not seek reelection to the Louisiana House and was succeeded by [[C. W. Thompson]] of Doyline, then the president of the Webster Parish School Board. Thompson ran unopposed in 1944 for Bolin's seat. Bolin practiced law in Minden prior to his military service and from 1946 to 1948 in Springhill in northern Webster Parish.<ref name=bolintorun/>

==Honors==

==Honors==

In 1975, [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Bossier Parish, urged then [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford|Gerald R. Ford, Jr.]], to nominate Judge Bolin to the [[United States Supreme Court]]. Waggonner said that his fellow Louisianan exhibited the "highest degree of judicial excellence." Ford, however, tapped [[liberal]] [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] jurist [[John Paul Stevens]] for the seat vacated by [[William O. Douglas]].<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 18, 1975, p. 1.</ref>

In 1975, [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joe Waggonner]] of Bossier Parish, urged then [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald Ford|Gerald R. Ford, Jr.]], to nominate Judge Bolin to the [[United States Supreme Court]]. Waggonner said that his fellow Louisianan exhibited the "highest degree of judicial excellence." Ford, however, tapped the consistently [[liberal]] [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] jurist [[John Paul Stevens]] for the seat vacated by [[William O. Douglas]], a protege of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 18, 1975, p. 1.</ref>

In 1986, Bolin was honored by the Louisiana House for his service more than four decades earlier. One of his House colleagues, [[Bill Dodd]], a former lieutenant governor and state superintendent of education, praised the judge, accordingly:

In 1986, Bolin was honored by the Louisiana House for his service more than four decades earlier. One of his House colleagues, [[Bill Dodd]], a former lieutenant governor and state superintendent of education, praised the judge, accordingly: