A large animated electric neon sign depicts, in motion, a carbon dioxide extinguisher putting out a fire. The action occurs eight times a minute and can be seen about a mile away.
Grandfather Roswell Eldridge Bolen turned a lifelong interest in fire protection into a thriving business. What began as an avocation, refilling fire extinguishers for fire departments and local businesses in the basement of his Westervelt Avenue home in the 1930s, eventually became the Approved Fire Protection Company.
After graduating from business college, Roswell became a production manager for the Watson Stillman Company in Roselle. After 19 years there, he joined Mack Truck as an assistant general foreman.
In 1943 he left Mack to work full time at his fire protection business. He and Evelyn sold their Westervelt Avenue home and moved to 508 Green Brook Road from which he ran a home-based business doing on-site fire extinguisher service. Over the next few years, satellite service offices were added in Elizabeth, NJ and Norfolk, VA.
Recognizing the opportunity afforded by the thriving economy after World War II, Roswell made the decision to consolidate his business into a new building in North Plainfield.
April 19, 1948
Construction of the new 2500 square foot building was completed by December, 1948. Located on Route 29 (now Route 22) at Jefferson Avenue, the new plant was declared to be "the largest extinguisher servicing plant in the country".
Courier News - December 1, 1948
Courier News - December 1, 1948
New Boro
Plant Opens
The Approved Fire Protection Company announced today the official opening of its new plant in Route 29, near Jefferson Ave. The public has been invited to inspect the plant by Roswell E. Bolen, owner and manager, who declared his establishment is the largest extinguisher servicing plant in the country, giving complete extinguishing service and specializing in carbon dioxide and oxygen refilling. The firm represents many of the largest fire-fighting equipment manufacturers in the country, Mr. Bolen said.
The plant, modern in every respect, was erected recently and covers an entire block from Route 29 to Ridge Ave. A large animated electric neon sign is located atop the building and depicts, in motion, a carbon dioxide extinguisher putting out a fire. The action occurs eight times a minute and can be seen about a mile away.
Mr. Bolen, a member of the North Plainfield Council, has been engaged in this business for 23 years. To house the several expanding branches of his business, formerly located in Elizabeth and Norfolk, Va., he decided to build the large plant in North Plainfield where he has resided for the past 50 years.
Beside being a borough councilman, Mr. Bolen is a member of the Plainfield Rotary Club, National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, International Fire Chiefs Association and numerous other organizations. He resides with his family at 508 Green Brook Rd.
Sadly, Roswell died at the age of 58, less that eight years after the new plant was opened. He clearly intended for the business to provide for his wife and daughters and had distributed stock and structured his estate accordingly.
But Evelyn's death eight years later would set into motion a chain of events that would tear the family apart, as told in Three Sisters.
Dorothy Bolen Meskill gained control of the company and fired General Manager Donald Mundwiler. Sisters Gladys and Lois were both forced to sell their interest in the firm. In 1982, Dorothy sold her shares to son Bobby Niper.
Dorothy Bolen Meskill gained control of the company and fired General Manager Donald Mundwiler. Sisters Gladys and Lois were both forced to sell their interest in the firm. In 1982, Dorothy sold her shares to son Bobby Niper.
Approved Fire Protection is still in business, now run by Bobby's daughters.
As of 2020, the 1948 building on Route 22 still exists, now a used car lot.
Courier News
December 22, 1951
Courier News
December 23, 1949
Courier News
November 2, 1950