From the History of MILLER COUNTY - Missouri State Historical Library
W. K. Hollenbeck, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1827, and is the ninth of ten children born to Derick and Tenta (Wilmont) Hollenbeck, who were also born in the State of Massachusetts. The father was a farmer and immigrated to Genesee County, N. Y., in 1829, and there made his home until his death in 1869, followed by his wife ten years later. He was in the War of 1812 and was a son of Michael and grandson of Ephraim Hollenbeck. The latter came with his brother Jacob from Germany in 1670 and thus founded the family in the United States. The maternal grandfather, Randall Wilmont, was born in Massachusetts and became prominent in the history of that State. W. K. Hollenbeck was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of Genesee County. While still a resident of his native State he began farming for himself and was married in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1850, to Mary E. Barse, a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and daughter of George and Eva (Wolliber) Barse, who were born, reared and married in York State. The father died in Cattaraugus County (whither he had moved in 1837) March 2, 1876, at the age of seventy-five years, his wife surviving him a few years. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Hollenbeck emigrated to Dakota where he followed farming until coming to Missouri in l884. He has taken considerable interest in politics, and by the advice of the Senate was commissioned by Gen. Grant, who was then President of the United States, as revenue collector for the district of Dakota Territory, to take effect May 19, 1874, and served four years and three months. During this time he traveled by rail and boat over the territory, and owing to the wildness of the country he often found this a very laborious task. He also hold the office of justice of the peace, and was the first postmaster, and cast the first vote at Finlay, Dak. His claim in Dakota was an old Indian camping ground. During his residence there he saw a remarkable change in the country in the way of settlement and improvement. After coming to Missouri he purchased 170 acres of finely located land, where he is residing at the present time. His children's names are as follows: Mary A., who died September 15, 1851, at the age of four months; Charley T., who resides with his father; Fannie A. and George H. The latter was a fine telegraph operator, being located at Memphis, Tenn., and handled the heaviest wires between Chicago and New Orleans. During the yellow fever epidemic in the South, he, August 15, 1888, volunteered his services to go to Jacksonville, Fla., and remained faithfully at his post of duty until stricken with the fever, from which he died while just entering on manhood, September 29, 1888, aged eighteen years and six months. He was a great favorite among the operators and officers of the road, was possessed of fine business capacities, and was a young man of intelligence and honor.
Descendants of an unknown Hollenbeck
1 unknown Hollenbeck Born: in Germany
2 Ephraim Hollenbeck Born: in Germany
3 Michael Hollenbeck
4 Derick Hollenbeck Died: 1869
+Tenta Wilmont Born: in Massachusetts Died: 1879
5 W. K. Hollenbeck Born: 1827 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
+Mary E. Barse Born: in Herkimer County, New York
6 Mary A. Hollenbeck Born: May 1851 Died: September 15, 1851
6 Charley T. Hollenbeck
6 Fannie A. Hollenbeck
6 George H. Hollenbeck Born: March 1870 Died: September 29, 1888
2 Jacob Hollenbeck Born: in Germany