Born in Union County, Pennsylvania, Bolender moved with his parents to Illinois in 1840. He then moved to Juda, Wisconsin. In 1861, Bolender moved to Monroe, Wisconsin and was a farmer. Bolender served as town clerk and village treasurer. Bolender served on the Green County Board of Supervisors and was chairman of the county board. In 1882 and 1883, Bolender served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and was a Republican.Wisconsin Blue Book, 1883, Biographical Sketch of John Bolender, p. 492. Bolender died in Monroe, Wisconsin.
