Sebastian County ArArchives Biographies.....Bollinger, R. C. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 31, 2009, 9:33 am

Source: See Full Citation
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

R. C. BOLLINGER.
    One of the attractive commercial establishments of Fort Smith is the piano
and music store of R. C. Bollinger. Carrying an excellent line of goods, Mr.
Bollinger has built up a substantial trade and the spirit of enterprise and
progress characterizes him in all that he does. He is considered the dean among
the merchants of the city because of his long connection with the trade
interests, while the activity and capable management which he has ever displayed
have placed him in the front rank among the leaders in commercial circles.

    Mr. Bollinger is a native son of Fort Smith, his parents being Samuel and
Emilia (Grober) Bollinger. The father came to this city from Switzerland in the
year 1854 and here established a general merchandise store, carrying everything
from hardware to music. He remained an active factor in the business life of the
community for more than three decades, or until the time of his death, which
occurred in 1885. His wife is a native of Saxony, Germany, and also came to the
United States in 1854. She is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three
years. In the family were thirteen children, all of whom have passed away with
the exception of three sons and two daughters. One brother, Henry Bollinger, is
also engaged in the music business in Fort Smith, while the other brother,
Samuel Bollinger, is a pianist and composer of St. Louis. He conducts a music
conservatory and is considered one of the foremost American composers. R. C.
Bollinger financed the education of his brother, who after studying for eight or
ten years in this country went to Leipzig, Germany, where he continued his
studies for six or seven years, completing his course in the Royal Conservatory
of Music in Leipzig.

    R. C. Bollinger spent his youthful days in Port Smith, and the public
schools of the city accorded him his educational opportunities. His initial
business training was here received and he has always concentrated his efforts
and attention along commercial lines. For forty-three years he has conducted the
business which he now owns and he today occupies four floors of one of the
leading business blocks of the city. His is considered the best music house in
Port Smith and he carries many makes of pianos and other musical instruments—in
fact, keeps on hand everything that the trade demands, including a splendid line
of sheet music. His own love of the art of music enables him to be of great
assistance to his patrons in their purchases, and he has done not a little to
develop and improve musical taste in the city. Moreover, he displays excellent
business qualifications in the management of his store, his enterprise enabling
him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties, while his indisputable
commercial integrity has always stood as a strong feature in his success.

    Mr. Bollinger was married in 18S1 to Miss Emma Wegman of Port Smith, and
they have become parents of the following named: Clarence, who is identified
with his father in business, now acting as manager of the store; Lillie, the
wife of R. D. Parmenter, who is a violin teacher in Louisville, Kentucky; Emma,
the wife of Tom Higgs, now living in Spokane, Washington; and Ida, the wife of
Marvin Leard, manager of the Edison Shop at Muskogee, Oklahoma.

     Mr. Bollinger belongs to the Advertisers' Club of Port Smith, to the
Business Men's Club, the Rotary Club and the Country Club. He is very fond of
golf and finds his recreation and diversion on the links. His entire life has
been passed in Port Smith, and he certainly deserves representation in this
volume as one of the native sons and representative citizens, for throughout his
entire career he has been a loyal supporter of every interest for the public
good and has given tangible evidence of his support of progressive public
measures on many occasions. Moreover, his unfailing courtesy, his geniality and
his kindly spirit have won for him a most extensive circle of friends, and all
who know him speak of him in terms of respect and regard.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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