Richard J. Bolles

Richard Johnson Bolles (August 1, 1843 – March 25, 1917) was one of Florida's many early land salesmen. He was also one of the first to market the land in small tracts to would be future residents.

Born on August 1, 1843, in 1908 he purchased 500000 acre of undeveloped land from the state of Florida at the price of two dollars an acre. He went on to sell this land, sight unseen to unknowing non-residents. His salesmanship was ultimately a scam and, in 1911, those who were caught up in it brought suit against him. Later in 1913, he was indicted but was acquitted. Bolles died on March 25, 1917, at the age of 73.