Person:George Hollenbeck (2)

Census

Obituary

Kankakee Daily Republican
Monday, March 15, 1915
p 1

"Pioneer Citizen Summoned George Hollenbeck Died at his Home Early on Sunday Morning. Funeral Service Today End of a Long and Useful Life- Funeral Services this Afternoon."

George Hollenbeck, one of the city's best known, retired pioneer farmers, died at his home at 1044 East Merchant street Sunday morning at 6 o'clock after a six week's illness of cancer of the stomach. Mr. Hollenbeck was operated upon a year ago for the cancer and recovered, and was in fair health for a time, but about six weeks ago the old trouble came back and he sank rapidly. Three weeks ago an attack of pneumonia hastened the ravages of the disease. Last Sunday his condition became critical and he remained unconscious most of the time until his death.

The funeral was held at the late residence on Merchant street at 1:30 this afternoon. Dr. Ketcham officiated. The body was laid to rest in the mausoleum at Mound Grove cemetery.

Obituary

George Hollenbeck was born in Catskill, Green county, New York, Jan. 30, 1836, and at that place he spent the first few years of his life. He was the son of Abram and Jane Anne (Hinchman) Hollenbeck. In 1849, when George was 13 years old, He moved with his father and mother to Illinois, to seek their fortunes in the unsettled prairie. The trip was made from Catskill to Buffalo by way of the historic Erie Canal. From Buffalo the trip was made to Chicago by boat on the Great Lakes. The canal route was followed from there to Morris, Ill., where the family settled in Vienna township, Grundy Co.

The life of the mother and her five sons was made hard soon after coming to the new settlement the untimely death of the father, which occurred four years after he came to Illinois, when George, the eldest son, was but 17 years old. After the death of his father the burden of caring for the family fell upon George, the oldest of five boys, only two of whom survive; Reuben of Verona, Ill., and James of Audabon, Iowa. The mother, with the help of the older boys, kept the family together on the farm near Morris until they were grown up.

George married Cordelia Anne Cook of Grundy county July 4, 1861, when he was twenty-five years old. To this union five children were born, all of whom are living. They are one daughter, Mrs. E.B. Redfield of Kankakee and four sons: Jerome, of Rolfe, Iowa; L.F. of this city; Duane of Hebron, Ill., and Albert of Laurens, Iowa. He leaves nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck resided on their farm in Vienna township, Grundy county, about fifteen years, following which they located at Buckingham, where they lived until they moved to Kankakee in 1891. They have lived in their present location at 1044 E Merchant street since coming here. During this time Mr. Hollenbeck has been occupied with looking after his land holdings, which are very extensive.

Amassed Wealth

Mr. Hollenbeck is one of the few men who have attained success in a financial way without any of the objectionable obtrusiveness with which wealth is sometimes amassed. He went quietly about his work during his long life, making friends of all with whom he came in contact. Like many other strong pioneers of the county, he was successful in a large measure by virtue of his farsightedness and firm faith in the future of his county and state. He believed in the future of Illinois and the community in which he lived to such an extent that he was not afraid to risk his savings in the land and property of the county.

His reputation is firmly fixed among the men of finance and business of the county, but he was equally respected by a host of friends with whom he never had business dealings. To the young he was "grandfather," to the middle-aged he was a fine gentleman and a good citizen, to the men of his own generation he was a forceful and energetic businessman. His own faith in his fellowman was perhaps what made him so respected in old and young. almost his last words were, when making some last requests as to the funeral arrangements: "My neighbors are all good people."

While he was of a quiet disposition, he never tired of the companionship of his fellows. He has been a member of the First Methodist church since coming to Kankakee. He was one of those who, while he was yet living, was spoken of by all as a "good man."

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Hollenbeck, George, obituary, in Kankakee, Illinois, United States. Kankakee Daily Republican (Kankakee, Illinois). (Kankakee, Kankakee, Illinois, United States)
   p1, 15 Mar 1915.

   transcript

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Grundy, Illinois, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Illinois, Grundy County, Vienna Township, Dwelling 32, Family 33; United States Census, 1850 for George Hollenback, FamilySearch.org, transcription and digital image. FamilySearch.org transcribed Janes age as 37, but it could also be interpreted as 34.

3. ↑ George Hollenbeck, in Find A Grave.