Advertisement

James Erasmas Holler

Advertisement

James Erasmas Holler

Birth
Lantz Mills, Shenandoah County, Virginia, USA
Death
20 Apr 1911 (aged 60)
Indiana, USA
Burial
Kosciusko County, Indiana, USA GPS-Latitude: 41.3898, Longitude: -85.8957833
Memorial ID
View Source
Devoting his energies to agriculture, the subject of this sketch enjoys distinctive prestige as one of the most enterprising farmers, in the county of Kosciusko. He is one of the largest land owners in Jefferson township and in point of general improvements, especially in the matter of buildings, his place is not excelled by any farm in this part of the country.

Mr. Hollar came to Indiana with but a limited amount of capital. With a liberal endowment of self reliance, a clear brain, a strong will and a determined purpose, he overcome the 'many discouraging circumstances which marked his arrival, removed the numerous obstacles from his pathway, gradually forged to the front and in the course of time found himself in possession of the ample fortune which he today enjoys.

Mr. Hollar's people were among the early German inhabitants of Virginia. His father, Alexander Hollar, was born in that state, as was also his mother, Eva Price. After their marriage these parents settled in the county of Shenandoah, where they spent the remainder of their days on a farm, the father being one of the well-known citizens of the community where he lived. Their eight children were named as follows: Amos, Sarah, Harvey, Joseph, James E., Levi, Silas and George W.

James E. Hollar, to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is now respectfully invited, was born on the home place in Shenandoah county, March 9, 1851. He was fortunate in having favorable surroundings during his childhood and youth, the farm being situated in a beautiful and healthful locality and the labor required of him being suitable to his years and strength.

He received his first educational training in a subscription school taught in a building which his father erected upon his own farm at his own expense, there being no house in the neighborhood especially designed for public school purposes. Realizing the need of better schools than the indifferent ones that had been formerly taught at divers places in the community, Mr. Hollar put up the above building primarily for the education of his own children and secondly for the children of any of his neighbors who saw fit to send their children to it for instruction.

He also procured the services of a competent teacher and the work done in the little school house on the Hollar farm gave an impetus to the cause of education in that locality, which subsequently led the people to take greater interest in the intellectual development of their children.

Young James attended school of winter seasons until nineteen years of age, spending the rest of the time in the fields at such work as is required on a Virginian farm. When nineteen he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn carpentry and in this engaged about six months at a monthly remuneration of six dol1ars. Being naturally skilled in the use of tools, he soon acquired much more than ordinary efficiency as a workman, and after receiving instruction for the above length of time he was sufficiently advanced in the trade to undertake building upon his own responsibility.

In the spring of 1870 he left home and started into the wor1d to make his own living and if possible acquire something more than a mere existence, as he was determined to achieve success if it lay within his power so to do. Like the majority of young men, he set up his goal in the west and with little means at his command started afoot upon his journey in which there was no deviation or break until he reached Licking county, Ohio, where he stopped temporarily, to earn a little money, doing a job of clearing for a farmer.

After working two weeks and receiving his pay, the young pedestrian proceeded on the journey until he came to a little village by the name of Melmore, in the county of Seneca, where he hired to one Samuel Brooks, a local carpenter, in whose employ he continued about one year. At the expiration of that time he entered into a partnership with that gentleman and until 1873 worked in several parts of Seneca county, the meanwhile adding to his reputation as an architect and builder.

Having accumulated about five hundred dllars at his trade, Mr. Hollar in the above year came to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and not long after his arrival went in partnership with his brother Joseph, for the purpose of purchasing a tract of land in Jefferson township. The land was all in the woods and the two brothers at once proceeded to clear and develop it, a work which he prosecuted very industriously and with most encouraging results.

At the end of one year Mr. Hollar again turned his attention to his trade as there was then a great demand in Kosciusko county for experienced carpenters. He erected a number of buildings of various kinds in different parts of Jefferson and other townships and when thus engaged continued to clear his land and add to its improvements. During the fourteen years following he divided his time between carpentering and agriculture, meanwhile, with the assistance of his brother, extending the area of cultivable land until the farm ranked with the best improved and most valuable in the township of Jefferson.

At the expiration of the fourteen years he quit his trade and devoted all of his time to agricultural pursuits, which he prosecuted with such energy and success as won for him the reputation of one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers in the community. Subsequently he purchased a saw-mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, about the same time investing considerable money in a tile factory, which proved a very fortunate enterprise. Mr. Hollar operated the saw-mill with much success about seven years, and then again took up agriculture.

The second year after coming to this county the farm was divided, Joseph taking the west half of the farm and James the east. While partners their relations were most amicable and being men of much more than ordinary judgment and thrift, their success was commensurate with the energy displayed in their various undertakings. After the property was divided James E. made other and greater improvements on his farm, among which was the large and elegant brick residence erected in 1889 at a cost of several thousand dollars.

He also added to his real estate from time to time until his place contained four hundred and forty-nine acres, its present area. This is one of the model farms of Jefferson township and there are few if any in the county that are better improved or represent a greater value per acre. Mr. Hollar is a progressive agriculturist and prosecutes his work upon quite an extensive scale. He is also an excellent judge of fine stock and in connection with general farming devotes considerable time to cattle, hogs and horses, in the raising and selling of which he has been quite success ful.

As a man and citizen Mr. Hollar is highly esteemed, standing for all legitimate public improvements and taking an active interest in the material development of his township and county. He takes large and liberal views of life, there being nothing narrow or bigoted in his nature, and keeps himself well informed upon the leading topics of the day. He is one of the intelligent, broad-minded men of his neighborhood and has always endeavored to use his influence so as to make wiser and better the people of the community in which he lives.

Mr. Hollar is a married man and the father of ten children. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Price, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Hulvy) Price, was born in Ohio, March 14, 1854, and the ceremony which changed her name to the one she now bears was solemnized on the 17th day of April, 1874.

The following are the names of the children constituting the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hollar, together with the birth of each: Samuel A., April 5, 1875; William H., November 13, 1876; Eva A., March 13, 1878; James E., September 29, 1879; George W., June 12, 1881; John E., August 30, 1882; Grover C., December 15, 1884, died August 23, 1899; Enos E., October 11, 1886; Charles M., March 24, 1888; and Amos R., March 4, 1892.

Mr. Hollar is a Democrat in politics, while fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 418, F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 478, I. O. O. F., both at Milford, Indiana. Mrs. Hollar is a member of the German Baptist church.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher, pub. 1902
Devoting his energies to agriculture, the subject of this sketch enjoys distinctive prestige as one of the most enterprising farmers, in the county of Kosciusko. He is one of the largest land owners in Jefferson township and in point of general improvements, especially in the matter of buildings, his place is not excelled by any farm in this part of the country.

Mr. Hollar came to Indiana with but a limited amount of capital. With a liberal endowment of self reliance, a clear brain, a strong will and a determined purpose, he overcome the 'many discouraging circumstances which marked his arrival, removed the numerous obstacles from his pathway, gradually forged to the front and in the course of time found himself in possession of the ample fortune which he today enjoys.

Mr. Hollar's people were among the early German inhabitants of Virginia. His father, Alexander Hollar, was born in that state, as was also his mother, Eva Price. After their marriage these parents settled in the county of Shenandoah, where they spent the remainder of their days on a farm, the father being one of the well-known citizens of the community where he lived. Their eight children were named as follows: Amos, Sarah, Harvey, Joseph, James E., Levi, Silas and George W.

James E. Hollar, to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is now respectfully invited, was born on the home place in Shenandoah county, March 9, 1851. He was fortunate in having favorable surroundings during his childhood and youth, the farm being situated in a beautiful and healthful locality and the labor required of him being suitable to his years and strength.

He received his first educational training in a subscription school taught in a building which his father erected upon his own farm at his own expense, there being no house in the neighborhood especially designed for public school purposes. Realizing the need of better schools than the indifferent ones that had been formerly taught at divers places in the community, Mr. Hollar put up the above building primarily for the education of his own children and secondly for the children of any of his neighbors who saw fit to send their children to it for instruction.

He also procured the services of a competent teacher and the work done in the little school house on the Hollar farm gave an impetus to the cause of education in that locality, which subsequently led the people to take greater interest in the intellectual development of their children.

Young James attended school of winter seasons until nineteen years of age, spending the rest of the time in the fields at such work as is required on a Virginian farm. When nineteen he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn carpentry and in this engaged about six months at a monthly remuneration of six dol1ars. Being naturally skilled in the use of tools, he soon acquired much more than ordinary efficiency as a workman, and after receiving instruction for the above length of time he was sufficiently advanced in the trade to undertake building upon his own responsibility.

In the spring of 1870 he left home and started into the wor1d to make his own living and if possible acquire something more than a mere existence, as he was determined to achieve success if it lay within his power so to do. Like the majority of young men, he set up his goal in the west and with little means at his command started afoot upon his journey in which there was no deviation or break until he reached Licking county, Ohio, where he stopped temporarily, to earn a little money, doing a job of clearing for a farmer.

After working two weeks and receiving his pay, the young pedestrian proceeded on the journey until he came to a little village by the name of Melmore, in the county of Seneca, where he hired to one Samuel Brooks, a local carpenter, in whose employ he continued about one year. At the expiration of that time he entered into a partnership with that gentleman and until 1873 worked in several parts of Seneca county, the meanwhile adding to his reputation as an architect and builder.

Having accumulated about five hundred dllars at his trade, Mr. Hollar in the above year came to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and not long after his arrival went in partnership with his brother Joseph, for the purpose of purchasing a tract of land in Jefferson township. The land was all in the woods and the two brothers at once proceeded to clear and develop it, a work which he prosecuted very industriously and with most encouraging results.

At the end of one year Mr. Hollar again turned his attention to his trade as there was then a great demand in Kosciusko county for experienced carpenters. He erected a number of buildings of various kinds in different parts of Jefferson and other townships and when thus engaged continued to clear his land and add to its improvements. During the fourteen years following he divided his time between carpentering and agriculture, meanwhile, with the assistance of his brother, extending the area of cultivable land until the farm ranked with the best improved and most valuable in the township of Jefferson.

At the expiration of the fourteen years he quit his trade and devoted all of his time to agricultural pursuits, which he prosecuted with such energy and success as won for him the reputation of one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers in the community. Subsequently he purchased a saw-mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, about the same time investing considerable money in a tile factory, which proved a very fortunate enterprise. Mr. Hollar operated the saw-mill with much success about seven years, and then again took up agriculture.

The second year after coming to this county the farm was divided, Joseph taking the west half of the farm and James the east. While partners their relations were most amicable and being men of much more than ordinary judgment and thrift, their success was commensurate with the energy displayed in their various undertakings. After the property was divided James E. made other and greater improvements on his farm, among which was the large and elegant brick residence erected in 1889 at a cost of several thousand dollars.

He also added to his real estate from time to time until his place contained four hundred and forty-nine acres, its present area. This is one of the model farms of Jefferson township and there are few if any in the county that are better improved or represent a greater value per acre. Mr. Hollar is a progressive agriculturist and prosecutes his work upon quite an extensive scale. He is also an excellent judge of fine stock and in connection with general farming devotes considerable time to cattle, hogs and horses, in the raising and selling of which he has been quite success ful.

As a man and citizen Mr. Hollar is highly esteemed, standing for all legitimate public improvements and taking an active interest in the material development of his township and county. He takes large and liberal views of life, there being nothing narrow or bigoted in his nature, and keeps himself well informed upon the leading topics of the day. He is one of the intelligent, broad-minded men of his neighborhood and has always endeavored to use his influence so as to make wiser and better the people of the community in which he lives.

Mr. Hollar is a married man and the father of ten children. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Price, daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Hulvy) Price, was born in Ohio, March 14, 1854, and the ceremony which changed her name to the one she now bears was solemnized on the 17th day of April, 1874.

The following are the names of the children constituting the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hollar, together with the birth of each: Samuel A., April 5, 1875; William H., November 13, 1876; Eva A., March 13, 1878; James E., September 29, 1879; George W., June 12, 1881; John E., August 30, 1882; Grover C., December 15, 1884, died August 23, 1899; Enos E., October 11, 1886; Charles M., March 24, 1888; and Amos R., March 4, 1892.

Mr. Hollar is a Democrat in politics, while fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 418, F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 478, I. O. O. F., both at Milford, Indiana. Mrs. Hollar is a member of the German Baptist church.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher, pub. 1902


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement