David Hollister & the Hollister Family (3)

Part Three - The Next Generations
If you missed Part 2 of the story, go here . . .
If you missed Part 1 of the story, go here . . .

By the 1880's David Hollister, along with a number of his grown children, where living in western Iowa, near the Nebraska border. There were also a few children who stayed back in Wisconsin. Some farmed and some had other occupations and a few moved on to other places. The Hollister clan would grow and multiply in Iowa and David would live out his life with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren nearby.

Wedding photo of Hiram, the son of Niles Hollister

The Children of David Hollister

The fate of most of David's children, from both marriages, has recently become available and seems well-documented. By the turn of the century, there were children and grandchildren in Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington, California, and other places.

The Children of David and Celinda:

• Rachel (b.1830, d.1921), married Harmon Renshaw in 1851 and raised at least 11 children. He was the son of David's one-time mill partner. They farmed in Iowa and Lafayette Counties in Wisconsin and are buried in the country cemetery in the Town of Fayette, near Darlington, Wisconsin.

The Obituary of Rachel Hollister from The Republican Journal, March 31, 1921: "Rachel B. Hollister was born in Warsaw, Genesse County, New York, Dec. 11, 1831. She came with her parents to Wisconsin in 1843, and on Dec. 25, 1851, was married to Harmon Renshaw at Adamsville, Wisconsin. To them were born twelve children. They moved to the farm in the town of Lamont, Lafayette county, fifty four years ago, where the family has lived continuously. The husband and father died Dec. 30, 1894. Mrs. Renshaw passed away, Friday, March 25. Her decline was gradual due to the infirmities of old age. She was a devoted mother, a kind loyal neighbor and a constant student of the word of God. Her end was peaceful. She is survived by nine children, twenty four grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. The funeral services were held at her late residence, Monday afternoon, March 28. Interment was made in the Fayette cemetery."

The gravesite of Rachel Hollister at Fayette Cemetery.

• Emily (b.1834, d.1911), married Miles Wilcox in 1851 and raised at least six children. They farmed in Iowa County but later relocated to Washington State. Miles served in Company G of the Wisconsin 31st Infantry during the Civil War. At some point, they may have divorced, as it was noted as such in the 1880 Wisconsin State Census.

The gravesite of Emily Hollister at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane, Washington.

• Hiram (b.1836, d.1886), married Sarah Batman in 1859 and raised at least eight children. They first farmed in Iowa County, Wisconsin. In the 1870's the family headed west and farmed on Section 18 in the town of Maple in Monona County, Iowa. Hiram and Sarah are buried near David in Wellington Cemetery. Hiram served in Company C, 13 Wisconsin Infantry as a Private during the Civil War. Hiram's Biography from "The History of Monona County"  notes that he was born in Steuben, New York and was 10 years old when the family arrived in Wisconsin.

The gravesite of Hiram Hollister at Wellington Cemetery. 

• John (b.1838, d.1924), married Mary Jane Robb in 1864 and raised at least five children. They farmed in Green County, then lived in Blanchardville, Wisconsin. After Mary died, John may have lived with his daughter in Minneapolis and his son in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

The Obituary of John Hollister from The Blanchardville Blade, November, 15, 1923: "John D. Hollister passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 10th, 1923, at the home of his son, Frank, at Rice Lake. He had been ill three weeks of the infirmities of advanced age. After the death of his wife, Mr. Hollister made his home for a time with his son, Fred, and family at Winslow, going to Rice Lake about a year ago. Deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Hollister, and was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, March 3rd, 1838. He was married to Mary Robb June 14, 1863. Five children were born to them four of whom survive. They are Mrs. George Fowler, Minneapolis; Mrs. Lester McQuillan, Woodford; Fred Hollister of Winslow and Frank of Rice Lake. He also leaves seven grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. George Wade of Chicago; and four brothers, Orestus of Washington, Niles and Dave of Rodney, Iowa, and Jeff of Red Oak, Ia. The remains were brought here for interment. Services were held at the M.E. Church Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 14th, Rev. Vaughan officiating. The body was laid to rest beside his wife in Graceland cemetery, Blanchardville. Out-of-town friends attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rickey and Mrs. C. Hosking, Hollandale; Dave Frame, Blue Mounds; Mr. and Mrs. Pickett, Helen McGuire, and Mr. and Mrs. Cissen of Woodford."

• Niles (b.1840, d.1929), married Eliza Schrechengaust in 1863 and raised at least 10 children. They may have been the first to head to Iowa, soon after their marriage, and were farming there before 1870. 

The obituary of Niles Hollister from The Mapleton Press, October 3, 1929: "The Mapleton Press - Niles R. Hollister, who was among the vanguard of pioneers in western Iowa, is dead in his 89th year. Death came to the aged citizen Monday at his home in Mapleton after a prolonged illness, thus removing from the community another of the men who transformed the prairies of the Maple valley into one of the most fertile sections in the state. Mr. Hollister was born at Ft. Wayne, Ind, March 3, 1840, when six years old, he moved with his parents to Iowa City, and later to Wisconsin, near Blanchardville, where he grew to manhood. When 23 years old Mr. Hollister was married to Eliza Jane Schreckengaust. This was on November 22, 1863. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Hollister and his family came to Iowa and settled near Villisca, two years later they took up a homestead near Mapleton, and in 1906 moved to Rodney where they resided 10 years. After spending a year in Montana, Mr. and Mrs. Hollister returned to Mapleton where they have since lived. When a child Mr. Hollister was baptized in the Quaker faith and to this faith he was firmly devoted. Men who knew Niles Hollister throughout the years of his residence in this locality regarded him as a true friend and neighbor. In family life he was known as a kind father and loving husband. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hollister — three boys and seven girls. They are: George Hollister, of Mapleton; Hiram Hollister, of Rodney; Lester Hollister, of Hall, Mont.; Mrs. Ella Sanford, of Mapleton; Mrs. Will Carmen, of Moore, Mont.; Mrs. Lucile Chilton, of Kingman, Ariz; Mrs. John Faust, of Drummond, Mont.; Mrs. Edward McLain, of Deer Lodge, Mont.; Miss Hazel Hollister, who resided with her parents, and Mrs. Harvey Ely, who preceded her father in death. Other survivors are three half-brothers, Derane Hollister, of Mapleton; Dave Hollister, of Rodney, Oresta Hollister, of Walla Walla, Wash., and 22 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home with burial at Grant cemetery. Rev. Edward Pruitt was in charge of the services."

The gravesite of Niles Hollister at Grant Cemetery in Rodney, Iowa.

George Hollister (b.1870, d.1958), the son of Niles Hollister. He was born
in Wisconsin and was just a boy on the journey to settle in Iowa. George
 and his wife Maud raised seven children and farmed in western Iowa.

• Baby Hollister (b.1842, d.1842), did not survive and it is believed that David's wife, Celinda, also perished with the baby during childbirth.

The Children of David and Caroline:

• Wilbur (b.1845, d.1906), married Lousia Clark in 1867 and raised at least five children. They first farmed in Wisconsin, then headed to Iowa and farmed in the Town of Maple.

Wilbur served with Company 'C' of the Wisconsin 37th Infantry Regiment in the Civil War. He enlisted in March of 1964 and served for about a year until the war ended. The regiment was formed that year and joined the Army of the Potomac, just as Ulysses S. Grant was taking command of the forces. They saw action at Petersburg during that summer, fall and winter of 1864 and into 1865. The siege of Petersburg went on for over nine months and included many small battles, skirmishes and the advent of trench warfare. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse shortly after he abandoned Petersburg. At the end of the war, the 37th marched in the Grand Review at Washington, D.C.

• Laurissa (b.1850, d.1936), married George Wade in 1879 and raised at least seven children. This was one of two Hollister / Wade marriages. They lived at Adamsville and operated the mill with George's father. Later, they went to Chicago, where George worked for the Railroad.

Laurissa was living at 14 South Parkside Avenue on Chicago's west side prior to her death.

Laurissa Hollister's gravesite at East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

• Orestis (or Erastus) (b.1952, d.1932), married Martha Harris in 1888 and raised at least one child (not confirmed). They first lived in Iowa and ended up in Washington State. The family is noted to be in Montana in the 1920s' and then to Washington State.

Obituary of Orestes Hollister from the Spokesman-Review, April 7, 1932: "Son of David Hollister and Carolina Wheaton, Wilson Creek, Wash. April 6. O.J. Hollister, 80, died suddenly at his home Monday. He had had heart trouble 15 years. He was born in Wisconsin and when 21 years of age moved to Iowa, where he taught in public schools. He was married to Miss Martha Harris Feb. 7, 1888, at Onawa, Iowa. Mr. Hollister and his family moved to Washington 40 years ago. They first lived on farms in the Mold and Ritzville regions, moving here 26 years ago. He and Mrs. Hollister, who survives him were members of the Nazarene church. The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Wash. 7 April 1932."

The gravesite of Orestis Hollister at Wilson Creek Cemetery in Wilson Creek, Washington,

• Thomas (b.1855, d.1824), married Hannah O'Neil (you can read more about them in Part 4 of this series).

• Derane (b.1857, d.1939), married Mary Adams in 1884, raised at least six children and lived in Mapleton, Iowa.

Obituary of Derane Benjamin Hollister, The Mapleton Press, March 16, 1939: "Drain Hollister Taken By Death - Funeral Services Will Be Held Friday Afternoon in Methodist Church. Funeral Services for D. B. Hollister, 81-year old long time resident of Mapleton, who passed away Wednesday in the Battle Creek hospital, will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Methodist church with Rev. A. F. Schuldt, pastor of the church officiating. Mrs. Schuldt and Mrs. C. F. Griffin will sing. Interment will be in Mr. Hope cemetery under the direction of the Duschl Funeral home. Mr. Hollister, son of David and Caroline Hollister, was born August 16, 1857, at Mineral Point, Wis. He lived in Wisconsin until early manhood. He was married to Miss Mary Adams June 23, 1884 in Onawa. They established their home in Mapleton and resided here continuously for 55 years with the exception of one year spent at Schaller. His wife preceded him in death. Mr. Hollister was a member of the Methodist church. He served a number of years as day marshal and street commissioner for the Town of Mapleton and was an efficient public official. He had been in ill health for several years and had been in the hospital at Battle Creek a week. He is survived by three children, Mrs. Edna Speilman of Mapleton, Miss Mary E. Hollister of Council Bluffs and Paul A. Hollister of Mapleton. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Three children preceded him in death."

The gravesite of Derane Hollister at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mapleton.

• David (b.1858, d.1934), married Rachael (Kate) Wade in 1880 and raised at least nine children. This was the second Hollister / Wade marriage. He was a blacksmith in Mapleton, Iowa. It appears as if David and Kate divorced around 1902 based on a news clipping from a Council Bluffs newspaper.

The gravesite of David Hollister at Wellington Cemetery in Mapleton.

Some of the next generation of the Hollisters would settle in Wisconsin and some in Iowa, where they would raise families and live out their lives. A few would venture to other areas of the country. My direct family line, descended from Thomas Jefferson Hollister and Hannah O'Neil, would raise their children in Mapleton and that is the subject of the next part of this series.

Part 4 - Thomas Jefferson Hollister and family can be found here . . .