Orrin Whitcomb Hollenbeck

From HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Oakland, Calif. Thompson & West. 1882.

O. W. HOLLENBECK

Orrin Whitcomb Hollenbeck was born June 2, 1832, in the town of South Egremont, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His parents were Cyrus and Marinda (Dorman) Hollenbeck, both natives of Berkshire County, where the son was born. A sister of Mr. Hollenbeck, Marilla J., now the wife of George C. Benjamin, still lives on the old farm in Massachusetts, which has been the homestead of the Hollenbecks since the county was redeemed from a wilderness. Here Orrin W. passed his boyhood, following the usual course of youth in that land of industry, thrift, and study, obtaining his education and laying the foundation of life in the solid principles of self-reliance, integrity and honor that have marked his career.

At the age of nineteen he assumed the responsibilities and duties of a school teacher, selecting for his field the county of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, where he taught successfully through two terms. After closing his school in Pennsylvania he returned, a triumphant young man, to his home in Massachusetts, and after making a short visit accepted a position as teacher in New Jersey. This honorable calling he pursued until 1854, when he took passage by steamer and by Panama to California, arriving in San Francisco October 4th of that year. Passing the metropolis without delay, he sought his future home in the mountains of Placer County. His first location was at Mountain Springs, a few miles southwest of Dutch Flat, and near the present town of Gold Run. This was a lively mining camp, although the great hydraulic mines of the present were not then opened. Here he remained engaged in mining and other business until 1859, when he went to Little York in Nevada County, where he continued the business of mining for about eighteen months, and then returned to his old stamping ground, having faith in the great gravel range that runs through Dutch Flat and Gold Run.

He now entered upon a more extended business career. He believed that his Mountain Springs was as good a foundation for a town as Dutch Flat, Little York, or any of the towns on the gravel range, and, locating a tract of land, proceeded to lay out his town. Having done this, he erected a hotel and proceeded to make business and a town. His efforts in having a post-office established were crowned with success, and he was made postmaster in April, 1862. The place still bore the name of Mountain Springs, but in 1862 became officially known as Gold Run. Improvements in building up the new town and in constructing roads from it to the larger and the lesser towns surrounding Gold Run were encouraged and assisted by Mr. Hollenbeck, until he saw the village a fixed fact and a prosperous trading and mining camp. This enterprise led to its legitimate results by making business and increasing the value of his town-lot property.

After continuing the hotel for four years he sold the property and established a variety store, still retaining the post-office. The construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, and the development of the Gold Run mines, increased business, and Mr. Hollenbeck was prosperous.

From this, in 1867, he was called to serve his county, being nominated by the Republicans for the very important and responsible position of County Treasurer, and to this office he was elected over Col. Wm. McClure, a pioneer and one of the most popular Democrats in the county, Mr. Hollenbeck receiving the largest vote given, and about 100 above the average of the ticket. This position necessitated his removal to Auburn, the county seat, where he has resided since early in 1868. To the same position he was re-elected, and in 1869, receiving 1,338 votes to his opponent’s, Frank Lux, 1,268, and again in 1871, receiving 1,707 votes, and his opponent, E. C. Albrecht, 1,306. These successive elections were a substantial testimonial in favor of his business qualifications and sterling integrity. In 1873 he was again nominated by his party, but by a combination of factions with the Democratic Party, his opponent, Mr. B. D. Dunnam, a Mexican War veteran and pioneer, was elected.

Retiring from office in 1874, he formed a partnership with Mr. Moses Andrews, one of Placer’s oldest and most prominent citizens, for the purpose of a general banking business, purchasing gold dust, etc. This firm is also the agent of Wells, Fargo & Co.’s Express, and through it a large amount of business is transacted.

In politics, as well as business Mr. Hollenbeck has always been prominent and active. At heart and deeply seated are the great progressive principles of' the Republican Party, and for these he has labored with indefatigable zeal and unflinching devotion at all times. As Secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, he has manifested an ability and skill as a manager that has gone far toward making the party triumphant when the greatest fears were apprehended. In his party, as in society and business, he is a leader among men, and now, in the prime of life, while happily contemplating an honorably and successfully spent past, can look forward into the future with bright prospects.

Mr. Hollenbeck is a prominent member of' the Masonic Order, as his name often appears as officer of different grades in his lodge. In April, 1880, he was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of the State of California. He is also Treasurer in the Delta Chapter of' Royal Arch Masons, and of other societies, all evincing the trust reposed and the active part he takes in public and social affairs.

The happy event of his life, as all marriages are happy events, was his marriage with Mrs. Hester McLean, of Manchester, New Hampshire on the 16th of October, 1859. One son, Lincoln W., born in 1865, blesses the union.

Hollenbeck, O. W.

Evening Bulletin San Francisco 24 Jan 1860. Married in this city, Oct 16th by the Rev. J. B. Buckingham. P. W. Hollenbeck of Mountain Springs to Mrs. Hester McLean of San Francisco.

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