Stephen P. Hollenbeck
1801-

Biographical Index: HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY, WISCONSIN, 1881

HON. STEPHEN P. HOLLENBECK.

One of the early settlers in Iowa County was S. P. Hollenbeck, who came to Mineral Point in 1834 and was, from that time until 1863, considered one of the representative men of this portion of the State. The subject of this sketch was a native of Vermont, his parents, Abram and Abigail, having been residents of Richmond, Chittenden County, of that State. He was born on the 28th day of March, 1801, and after reaching manhood, having received a common-school education, he embraced the honorable vocation of millwright. After arriving in Wiscon-sin, he remained single until 1841, when he married Harriet Blair.

One peculiar and somewhat remarkable pioneer experience, in which he was engaged as the most prominent actor, is especially worthy of note, as it illustrates very fairly some of the traits for which he was most remarkable. It appears that, in 1840, the Winnebago Indians, who were then on the north side of the Wisconsin River, became somewhat restive, as ever becomes the Indian nature, and, contrary to treaty, made with them previous to 1840, by which their hands on this side of the river were ceded to the Government, they returned to their old tramping g rounds, thus violating the conditions of the treaty ; and if they did not make any very hostile demonstrations, greatly alarmed the settlers.

Orders were immediately dispatched by Gov. Dodge to Mr. Hollenbeck, instructing him to take men and go into Richland County and arrest the Indians. Without delay or ceremony, Mr. Hollenbeck at once started, taking but three men to assist him in the arduous undertaking. Pushing boldly forward, they arrived at the Indian camp, in the wilds of Richland County, about 10 o'clock at night, and then and there Mr. H. proceeded to arrest the whole band of one hun-dred. They quietly submitted to be taken, and were soon after turned over to the tender mercies of a United States Army Captain. This officer pronounced this act of these three or four men rash and foolhardy in the extreme, and one that might have resulted very disastrously. However, the courage and nerve displayed on this occasion by the men speaks volumes in their favor.

When the State Constitutional Convention convened in 1847, Mr. Hollenbeck was selected as one of the representatives from this section of the State. Although he took no very prominent part in the proceedings yet the record of his votes on the various propositions sub-mitted for consideration displayed a keenness of apprehension, accuracy of information, and depth of judgment, as well as honesty of purpose, at once creditable to himself and useful to the interests of his constituents.

Subsequent to the time of the State organization, he took no prominently active part in politics, until 1855, when he was chosen a member of the Assembly. Aside from this, he held numerous important local offices, until 1863, when he removed to Green County. Eventually, Mr. Hollenbeck removed to Minnesota and out of the political and public arena of Wisconsin, but not beyond the reach of the remembrance of appreciative and admiring friends - friends to whom he is endeared by many useful and worthy acts, and that no time or distance can alienate.

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