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1880 United States Census Source Information: . . .was born in Hudson, Summit County, Ohio, June 5, 1829, where his parents lived until 1845, at which time they moved to Winnebago County, Illinois. Previous to their going West, Edward, or Ed as he was familiarly called, attended the district schools; but after the age of fourteen he had the privilege of school in the winter only, the summer being spent in working on the farm. In his boyhood days he was a favorite with young and old, being possessed of a genial disposition and generous to a fault, both of which traits followed him through life. One little anecdote will serve to show the strength of his will power and endurance. In the vicinity where he lived the crows were very destructive to corn when first planted in the spring. As soon as it made its appearance above the ground the crows would pull it up, root and blade. In order to get rid of them, the boys in the neighborhood joined in hunting their nests, destroying them whenever found. On one occasion, while Ed with several others was trying to dislodge a nest, a pole slipped from the hand of one of his comrades, coming down sharpened end first and passing through Ed's left foot, just back of the toes, pinning him to the ground. Of course the pole had to be pulled out; and the only time he ever shed a tear was after it commenced healing, when a large boy stepped on it. At the time of the accident he was between thirteen and fourteen years of age. In the spring of 1846, farming not being to his taste, with his father's permission, and with a dollar and a half in his pocket, he started out to make his own way in the world. He worked in different places until he made enough money to take him back to the place of his birth. From there he went to Cuyahoga Falls, only eighteen miles distant, where he apprenticed himself to learn the machinist's trade. By faithfulness and industry, he very soon gained the respect and approbation of his master. While learning his trade he received $6 per month with which to pay his board and clothe himself, and yet, from this small amount, he always had money to spare to help others. By close application he became master of his trade in three years, at which time his employers offered to take him into the business as a partner, but at this time the California gold fever was at its height, and he decided to start for the land of gold. He took passage on a sailing vessel, as the expense was less than by steamer, from New Orleans to Aspinwall; but on his arrival there, being too sick to go further, he sold his ticket for California and remained in Aspinwall until he recovered. He then engaged as an engineer on a steamer running up the Chagres River, and afterward ran from Aspinwall and Chagres to Greytown, Nicaragua, and then for a time up the San Juan River. In 1852 or 1853 he engaged in business in Greytown, furnishing entertainment to travelers, via Transit route, Nicaragua, to California. At Castillo he also established a general merchandise store and hotel; and at this time made large contracts with the Transit Company for cutting wood on San Juan River, for use on steamers. In January, 1854, he married Elizabeth Hatsfeldt, who survives him and who was in the strictest sense of the word a help-mate, undergoing all the trials and reverses of fortune while in Central America, with courage and fortitude, helping at all times without once faltering, and in the accumulation of their fortune did well her part. About 1856 or 1857 Walker, the filibuster, came into the country, and the Costa Ricans made a raid on Castillo. They, the Costa Ricans, took Mr. Hollenback and his faithful wife as prisoners and carried them up the San Juan River some ten or twelve miles end kept them two weeks under a wood-shed. They were then taken by the same party up the river to Lake Nicaragua, where they were kept for two months. During the time they were prisoners their store, house and goods were burned, and everything they had in the world was gone. Walker was afterward conquered by the Nicaraguans, and they were allowed to return. Finding everything destroyed, they concluded to return to the States and see their little son, who had been with his grandparents in Illinois during these turbulent times. Descending the river to Greytown, they took steamer to Aspinwall, and from there to New York. On their arrival in New York, they learned that their little boy was dead. After spending a few months with their relatives in Illinois and other States, they again returned to Greytown, and Mr. Hollenbeck engaged as before in general merchandising. While doing business, he bought a river steamer of the Transit Company, which was at this time somewhat embarrassed and about to suspend business. In the fall of 1860 he and his wife returned to Missouri, intending to make their home there, having closed out their business at Greytown. Soon after arriving in Missouri, leaving his wife at a brother's, Mr. Hollenbeck returned to Greytown to take a steamer, which he had not disposed of, to Carthagenia, to sell. The steamer being built for river service, was not suitable for open sea service, and the experiment of taking her to Carthagenia proved to be a very hazardous and dangerous one; but after many trials and hairbreadth escapes, he made the voyage, sold the vessel and returned to Missouri. During his absence the civil war had broken out, and upon his return he found there was an embargo laid on travel and business; railroads were torn up and soldiers quartered in every town. So, after traveling one or two hundred miles in an old farm wagon, under many difficulties, to his brother's, he concluded to again return with his wife to Greytown, and there he went into business for the fourth time. During this stay in Greytown he did a very large commission business, having been appointed agent for the Royal Mail steamers, and also for an English mining company, shipping large quantities of India rubber, Brazil wood, hides, cedar, rosewood, coffee, indigo, etc. About 1872 the Transit Company again became embarrassed and closed out all its business there; and Mr. Hollenbeck, in connection with three other gentlemen, bought all the property owned there by this company, including all the steamers. In 1874 he and his wife visited Los Angeles, California, which was then booming, in expectancy of the Southern Pacific Railroad coming in, and while here he made several purchases of real estate, and deposited a large sum of money in the Temple & Workman Bank, and returned to Greytown. In 1874, after varied successes with the Transit Company's property, having lost during his stay there several steamers, one of which he had built in Philadelphia, he closed out all his business and came to California. Prior to his leaving Nicaragua, that Government appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, and on his return he visited Washington, transacting business for that Government in this official capacity. Arriving in Los Angeles early in the spring of 1876, he soon after purchased land on the east side of the Los Angeles River, and built what was in those days one of the finest residences in that part of the State, expending many thousands of dollars in improvements. This was his home until his death, and here his widow still resides. This splendid dwelling stands on Boyle avenue, in the midst of several acres of highly ornamental grounds, upon which neither money nor taste has been spared, the whole comprising one of the most beautiful and elegant homes in Southern California. At the time of leaving Nicaragua, Mr. Hollenbeck's health was somewhat broken from an attack of fever, overwork and long-continued mental strain through a period of years. Some time prior to his arrival in Los Angeles the Temple & Workman Bank had failed, and of the money deposited there some two years before —principal and interest amounting to about $25,000—he never received one cent, all being a total loss. In 1878 he became a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of Los Angeles, and was elected its president, which position he held until 1881, when he, with others, organized and established the First National Bank, of which he was chosen president, and held the position until failing health compelled him to resign. He and his wife then spent a year or two in visiting every section of the United States and many of the countries of Europe. Before and after his return from Europe he purchased real estate, owning at one time 600 acres situated four miles south of the city limits. This tract he improved with fine buildings, and planted a vineyard of 300 acres. He also owned a large tract of land in the San Gabriel Valley, planted with oranges, lemons, and grapes; and 3,500 acres of the La Puente Rancho—a grain and stock ranch. In 1884 he built on the corner of Spring and Second streets, in the city of Los Angeles, the Hollenbeck Block, extending 120 feet on Spring by 240 feet on Second. He at one time was the principal owner of the East Los Angeles and Main and Sixth street horse-car line; and also largely interested in the line to Boyle Heights; but had disposed of them some time prior to his death. For five months before his decease he was too feeble tr, and was noted for his energy and public spirit and large-hearted generosity, always assiso attend to business, and his mind became somewhat impaired, but he was able to be up and about the premises, and passed the day and evening of his death quite comfortably. He passed away at nine o'clock on the evening of September 2, 1885. Mr. Hollenbeck was a man of strong characteting every worthy enterprise, and ever willing to help those who showed a disposition to help themselves. Before his death he made provision out of his estate for all of his relatives. Mrs. Hollenbeck resides at and presides over the Los Angeles mansion; she is a lady possessed of broad intelligence, quiet demeanor and kindly spirit. The name of Mr. Hollenbeck is held in pleasant remembrance in Los Angeles by all who knew him. He was one of the few men whose character was not marred nor in any way made worse by the possession of wealth. How few there are in this world, when we come to study the matter impartially, who are as thoroughly and disinterestedly good, with riches, as they would have been if they had been poor, or, if, having been poor from the start, they had always remained so. Riches almost invariably corrode, or in some way unfavorably influence even the finest and noblest natures. All who knew Mr. Hollenbeck will agree that the harmony and beauty and amiability of his character were not, apparently, in the least prejudiced by the possession of wealth. Los Angeles is better materially, socially and morally because he was one of her citizens. Of course this can be said of others of her citizens; would that it could be said of them all; then, indeed, it would be an ideal city! An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California – Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 504 Transcribed by Kathy Sedler |
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