From History of Sherman County, Kansas
With photo of Judson and wife Mary, Elmer, Goldie and Ethel

JUDSON AND MARY HOLLENBECK

Judson Hollenbeck was born November 30, 1855 to John and Harriet (Marshall) Hollenbeck in Carney, Pennsylvania; died April 18, 1936 in Goodland, Kansas.

He married Mary Marie Maring in Exline, Iowa February 4, 1882., Mary Marie was born in Exline, Iowa April 23, 1861. She died at her home in Brewster, Kansas January 18, 1935. She was the youngest of fifteen children in the family of Samuel and Julia Maring.

They came to homestead in Kansas, first in Cloud County then to Sherman County on the SE 1/4 17-8-37. His brother Lewis Hollenbeck came to Kansas the same year 1886.

After staking their claim in 1886 Judson and his wife, Mary and family lived in a sod dugout while building a sod house.

Here the couple set about conquering the prairies in the same spirit that characterized all those brave ones who faced westward in days when going out west meant going to meet hardships.

The scarcity of good food, the utter loneliness made the family independent, learning to make and store food for the cold winters. Food remembered by the family years later was Mary's sauerkraut, hominy and dried vegetables.

Judson made many pieces of furniture for their home. He enjoyed, after retiring making furniture for his grandchildren's play house. Mary made clothing for the family. She pieced and quilted many quilts. Her grandchildren cherish many of these quilts.

Judson and Mary never weakened in their purpose to win for themselves a home on the prairies.

Their early farming was done by small plows-drawn by a horse. Some of the crops were corn and wheat.

When sickness struck the family, many home remedies were used, since the distance to the doctor was hours away.

In the midst of all their trials, they found time to be dutiful parents to six children: Elmer (mail carrier and farmer) 1883-1935; Goldie (teacher) 1885-1915; Ethel (teacher and homemaker) 1891-1960;. Harley (farmer). 1896-1960; Mary (teacher and home making 1901) still living; and one child died in infancy.

When Goldie and Ethel were of age, Judson, their father, and the girls staked School Land Patent claims on the SE 1/4 16-8-37; NE 1/4 16-8-37; NW 1/4 16-8-37 and SW 1/4 16-8-37. Elmer, then a young man, claimed his homestead on the NE 1/4 21-8-37, all in Sherman County.

Judson and Mary lived on the homestead 36 years; retiring from active work, they moved to a home in Brewster, Kansas. In 1932 they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with their family at Elmer and Euroth's home.

Harley and his wife Josephine (Stouffer) took over the homestead and operated it until Harley's poor health forced him to sell.

By Helen Hollenbeck Melton

The Goodland Daily News
Saturday, April 18, 1936

EARLY RESIDENT
OF COUNTY DIES

Services Will Be Held Monday
Afternoon for Judson
Hollenbeck.

Judson Hollenbeck, 80, a resident in and near Brewster for the past 50 years died this morning at 8:45 o'clock at the home of his daughter Mrs. Ethel Boyington, 1529 Main Street, following an illness which kept him bedfast during the past two weeks.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 Monday afternoon at the Brewster Methodist church under the direction of Rev. Ira Beiber, pastor of the church Interment will be made in the Brewster cemetery. Widely known in Sherman county and especially in the Brewster territory, Mr. Hollenbeck retired from farming 14 years ago and up to the time of Mrs. Hollenbeck's death 15 months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck had resided in Brewster. Following Mrs. Hollenbeck's death, Mr. Hollenbeck came to Goodland in September of last year to live with his daughter.

Mr. Hollenbeck's death was caused by heart disease He had been suffering at the home of his daughter, although he had not been seriously ill until this morning.

Born Nov. 30, 1855 at Carney, Penn., Mr. Hollenbeck spent his early life in Pennsylvania and was married in 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck came to Sherman county on April 8, 1886 from Cloud county, Kansas. They settled on a homestead west of Brewster.

The deceased children are Elmer and Goldie and the other children are Mrs. Boyington of Goodland; Harley Hollenbeck of Brewster and Mrs. Mary Warner, Ruleton.

One brother, Louis Hollenbeck of Brewster, also survives as well as seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The body is now lying in state at the Bower funeral home.

Goodland Daily News
Goodland, Kansas
January 1935

MRS. HOLLENBECK DEAD

Had lived in county for Nearly Half Century

Mrs. Jud Hollenbeck, of Brewster, died at her home there last night, at the age of 74 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck were among the pioneer homesteaders of Sherman county, coming here 49 years ago.

With the husband there are four children to mourn the passing of their mother. Two children preceded their mother in death. Mrs. Ethel Boyington of Goodland is a daughter. Other children are Mary, Elmer and Harley Hollenbeck, of Brewster.

Mrs. Hollenbeck was born April 23, 1860. Her maiden name was Mary Maring. She was married to Jud Hollenbeck February 4, 1872, and had she lived until the fourth of next month they would have completed 53 years of wedded life. They came to Sherman county in 1886, and lived on the farm in the east part of the county until about twelve years ago when they retired and moved to Brewster. She had been in failing health for the past year, and death was due to heart trouble.

The funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Brewster.

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