Wells H. Hollenbeck
1863-1944

The Biographical Record of Chemung County, New York, 1902

WELLS H. HOLLENBECK

Almost continuously since 1883 Wells H. Hollenbeck has been in the employ of Mr. Rodburn, of Erin, and is now his foreman, largely having control of the lumbering and farming business. He was born in the town of Erin June 3, 1863, and is a son of Giles and Eliza (Hollenbeck) Hollenbeck. His father was born in the town of Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, about sixteen miles south of Rochester, on the 28th of January, 1836, and his parents were Hamilton and Caroline (Andrews) Hollenbeck. The family was founded in America by three brothers, who came from Holland in their own vessel and made their way up the Hudson river. One settled at Albany, but the other two went to Schoharie county, where representatives of the name lived for many years. It was in that county that the grandfather of our subject was born, but when a young man he came to Chemung county with two of his brothers and settled in the town of Erin at what was called Red Chalk. There he cleared a large tract of land. Subsequently he went to Munford, Monroe county, and in Genesee county, this state, was united in marriage to Caroline Andrews. He built a hotel there, which he leased,. and carried on a store, doing much to upbuild the town and promote its interests. He was a self-made man and his energy and industry were the salient features in his career. His death occurred in Monroe county. In his family were three sons and three daughters: Anna M., who is living in Rochester; Giles, the father of our subject; Dennison, who resides in Michigan; Helen, the wife of William St. John, also of Michigan; Wells H., who died in Caledonia, Canada, leaving two children; and Caroline, who died in childhood.

In Monroe county Giles Hollenbeck, the father of our subject, was reared, attending school there until about eighteen years of age. He then came to Chemung county and began work upon a farm. Owing to ill health it was thought better that he should have outdoor life and exercise, and thus he took up agricultural pursuits. After three years he went to Wisconsin and worked as manager of a sawmill for a Racine company spending about four years in that state. When that period had elapsed he returned to Chemung county, where he was employed as a farm hand and later became a foreman in a sawmill for the Rodburn Lumber Company, with which he was connected for fourteen years. During that time he purchased and paid for fifty acres of land lying near the village of Erin After leaving the Rodburn company he worked for some years in different mills, and later went to Pennsylvania and engaged in the lumber business, since which time he has made his home in the Keystone state. He was married in the town of Erin April 29, 1855, to Miss Eliza M. Hollenbeck, who was a cousin. They have but one child, Wells H., who is now foreman for the Rodburn company in Erin. Giles Hollenbeck cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, but voted for McClellan in 1864. He served as town clerk for four years in Erin, was for three years supervisor and then after an interval was again chosen to that office. He was made a member of Horseheads lodge, No.364, F. & A. M., and became a charter member of Southern Light lodge, No.725, of Breesport. His life has been one of diligence and perseverance, and in social circles as well as in business he enjoys the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

Wells H. Hollenbeck, the only son, was reared in the village of Erin and acquired a good common-school education there and in the public schools of Rochester. He would have completed the course and been graduated in six months had his health not failed. When but twenty years of age he began clerking for Mr. Rodburn, and has been continuously in his employ with the exception of two years spent upon the farm. No higher testimonial of his loyalty to his employer's interests and his efficiency could be given than the fact that he has been so long in his service

Mr. Hollenbeck was married, in Horseheads, on the 14th of September, 1884, to Miss Eunice M. Carpenter, of Elmira, who was born in the village of Chemung, a daughter of Andrew J. and Delilah (Manley) Carpenter. Six children grace this union: Giles Andrew, Eleanor B., Glenn H., Manley Wells, Anna Helen and Fletcher James. In his political views Mr. Hollenbeck is a Democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for Cleveland in 1884. He has been honored with public office, served for four years as town clerk, was elected supervisor in 1889, and in 1901 was re-elected into that office. He served on the committee of the poor and poorhouse and superintendent's reports. He is now chairman of the committee on town accounts and a member of the committees of the justice's and constable's accounts. Mr. Hollenbeck is a gentleman of sterling worth, widely known and respected in the community where he has so long resided. He has the unqualified confidence of his employer, is regarded as a loyal and progressive citizen, and by an honorable and upright career has commanded the esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

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