Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

HOFFMASTER, HENRY

p. 1637

Surnames: HOFFMASTER, LOTT, KNAUER

Henry Hoffmaster, formerly a resident of Reading, Pa., now living
retired, was born Dec. 14, 1833, in Exeter township, Berks county,
son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Lott) Hoffmaster.

Isaac Hoffmaster was engaged as a laborer
throughout his life and also drove tams between Pittsburg and
Reading and Philadelphia and Reading during the days of the
stage-coach. He died in 1869, aged sixty-nine years, while his wife
passed away in 1882, when seventy-seven years of age. They were the
parents of these children: Daniel, who died in infancy; Lewis;
James; Mary; Henry; and Susan. In religious belief the father was a
Lutheran, while the mother was a member of the German Reformed
Church. They are both buried in Aulenbach county. In political
matters he was a Democrat. Mr. Hoffmaster had brothers, George;
Christian; John and Samuel; and a sister, Kate, who died unmarried.
Henry Hoffmaster was educated in the schools of Exeter township,
Spring township and Reading, and when a young man learned the
milling business. On account of the confinement attached to the
milling trade, Mr. Hoffmaster was obliged to abandon it, and for
three years was engaged in boat-building. In 1861 he became
employed on the Schuylkill Canal, first as carpenter and later as
engineer of a tug-boat, working on the canal altogether forty-three
years until 1904, when he retired.

Mr. Hoffmaster was married in 1856 to Caroline
Knauer, and to this union there have been born six children: Clara,
deceased; an infant, twin of Clara, deceased; Laura, deceased;
Charles Henry, deceased; George, deceased; and Ida K., a school
teacher of Reading. Mr. Hoffmaster is a Republican in politics. He
was a member of Salome Lodge, I. O. O. F. until its disbandment,
and was a member of the Brotherhood of the Union. He was also
connected with the Keystone Hook and Ladder Company, and was very
active therein in his younger days.

HOLL,
HENRY

p. 1517

Surnames: HOLL, SAYLOR, DETURK, GOODHART

Among the business men and public officials of Reading, Pa., was
the late Henry Holl, for many years an alderman of the city and
later clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Berks county. Mr.
Holl was born in 1843 in Reading, son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Saylor) Holl.

Henry Holl received his education in the schools
of his native city, and when a young man clerked in several dry
goods and notion establishments. For two years he was in the
grocery business and then was appointed deputy clerk of Quarter
Sessions, in which capacity he served faithfully for nine years. At
the end of this time Mr. Holl was elected clerk, and he had served
one year and three months when his death occurred, in the spring of
1894. In 1867 Mr. Holl was married to Miss Esther DeTurk, daughter
of Jacob and Esther (Goodhart) DeTurk, whose other children were:
Frederick, Catherine, Mary, Benjamin, Jacob, Joshua, Samuel and
William.

Mr. Holl was a member of Lodge No. 62, F. A.
&. M. of Reading. In his religious belief he was connected with
the Reformed Church, which his widow attends. They had no children.
Mr. Holl was a Republican in political belief, but such was his
fairness and integrity that he had hosts of friends in both
parties. He was a good and useful citizen, and in his death the
city of Reading lost one of its representative, public-spirited
men.

HOLL, MARK
DAVIS

p. 1159

Surnames: HOLL, SPATZ, HASSLER, RUTH, MOYER, FREDERICK, TREXLER,
HAINS, MONTELLO, HAIN, GLASS, DIPPERY, KEENER, DUNDORE, ALEXANDER,
ZIEBACH

Mark Davis Holl, of Reading, Pa., was born near Wernersville, Berks
Co., Pa., Nov. 16, 1876, son of Benjamin and Mary (Hain) Holl, of
No. 303 Chestnut street, West Reading, and grandson of Peter and
Catherine (Spatz) Holl.

Peter Holl, great-grandfather of Mark D. Holl,
was born in Cumru township, Berks county, and was a farmer by
occupation. He and his wife, whose name is not known, were the
parents of these children: Samuel, Jacob, Benjamin, Peter, Mary,
and Julia Ann.

Peter Holl, son of Peter, was born in Cumru
township, and when a boy learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he
followed for about twenty years, his latter years being given to
agricultural pursuits. He was a very powerfully built man, and was
noted for his great strength. Mr. Holl died at the age of sixty-six
years, and he and his wife had children as follows: Sarah m. Isaac
Hassler; Mary m. Isaac Ruth; Elizabeth died young; Lovina also died
young; Emma m. Louis Frederick; Annie m. William Moyer; Matilda m.
William Frederick; John; and Benjamin. In religious belief the
family were Reformers. Benjamin Holl was educated in the schools of
Heidelberg, and as a boy worked on a farm. Until 1891 he was
engaged as a laborer, and in this year removed to West Reading,
where he engaged in the hotel business for one year, then engaging
in work at George Trexler’s brick yard. After ten seasons here he
engaged in teaming for Abram Hains, who conducted a coal yard, but
two years later began driving a bakery wagon for Oscar Holl. In
1905 Mr. Holl became an employe (sic) of the Montello Brick
Company. Mr. Holl was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Hain, daughter
of Bennewell and Susan Hain, and to this union there were born
eight children: Oscar, a baker of West Reading, m. to Ida Glass;
Lillian, an expert spectacle operator; Mark D., m. to Annie L.
Dippery James, m. to Estella Keener Cora, m. to Rev. Paul Dundore,
pastor of Trinity Reformed Church of Palmyra; Emma, and Herbert.
Mr. Holl is a member of the Reformed Church of West Reading. He is
a Democrat in politics, and is fraternally connected with the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Reading.

Mark Davis Holl attended the district schools of
the place of his nativity, and in 1888 came to Reading, where he
was first employed at the Alexander Stocking Company’s factory. He
later entered the hat factory of the same firm, and is now employed
in the starting department.

Mr. Holl was married in 1900 to Miss Annie L.
Dippery, daughter of the late Nathaniel S. and Salesa (Ziebach)
Dippery, and they have had two children: Ruth Lugorah, who died May
5, 1907, aged eighteen months; and Naomi Margaret. Mr. Holl is a
member of the Reformed Church of West Reading. Fraternally he
belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, serving as District
Grand Chief of Berks county; to the Grand Fraternity of the Golden
Eagles; to the Patriotic Order Sons of America; and to the Knights
of Malta.

HOLL, PETER
S.

p. 1523

Surnames: HOLL, SAYLER, BANSHAW, ESSER, ENGLE, DEEN, DUMN

Peter S. Holl, the efficient clerk of the Court of Quarter
Sessions, and for many years holding important official relation to
the city of Reading and the county of Berks, is a native of
Reading.

Of Swiss ancestry originally, the Holl family
have been in Berks county for many generations. Grandfather Peter
Holl was a prominent citizen of Cumru township. Peter S. Holl is
the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sayler) Holl, the father being a
cooper by trade. He died about 1869, at the age of fifty-three
years. The mother was a daughter of Peter Sayler, a farmer residing
in the northeastern section of the county. To them were born eight
children: Two died in childhood; Henry, clerk of the Court of
Quarter Sessions died in the spring of 1894, at the age of
fifty-one years; and Emma died at the age of fifty-five. Those now
living are: Samuel S., molder, Reading; Hattie, wife of Richard
Engle, Reading; Catherine, widow of Thomas Deen, Chicago; and Peter
S.

Peter S. Holl was born Feb. 23, 1859, in
Reading. With a common school education, he began life as a clerk
in a grocery store. After three years he spent a period in a lock
works, then learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for a
number of years in Reading and Birdsboro. He then decided to change
his occupation and took up the real estate business in Reading, at
the same time collecting city taxes. This occupied him for several
years. In 1894 he for the first time became connected with the
Quarter Sessions court as deputy clerk. In 1896 he was appointed
chief deputy under Henry Dumn, and again filled the place of Deputy
under Daniel O. Banshaw. Again in 1902 he received the appointment
from Jacob B. Esser, and 1904 was elected to fill the clerkship;
making a continuous record in the office of eleven years.

Mr. Holl has always won the confidence of the
public. Beginning at the age of twenty-one, he has held various
offices, and has served as a member of the select council for eight
years. At one time he was president of the select council, at the
same time holding three other important offices. He is at the
present time one of the trustees of the Public Library of Reading.
He is a Democrat in politics; and a member of the Reformed Church.

Mr. Holl is a member of several of the best
fraternities. He belongs to all the best branches of Masonry; is an
Odd Fellow; and holds membership in the P. O. S. of A.
organization; and has also been a member of the Washington Fire
Company for over twenty years.

HOLL,
SAMUEL

p. 1684

Surnames: HOLL, SETLEY, ORIE, SHADELL

Samuel Holl, who died in Reading, Pa., in 1886, in his sixty-ninth
year was for many years a well-known business man and honored
resident of the city. He was born in 1817, in Cumru township, Berks
county, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Setley) Holl, residents of that
section.

Samuel Holl received a common school education,
and for a number of years was engaged in the wheel-wright business
on Walnut street, Reading, where the Junior Fire Engine House now
stands. He was later employed by Seyfert, McManus & Co.,
manufacturers of Reading, remaining with that firm for several
years, but finally resumed his business in the rear of his
residence, No. 342 North Sixth street. Mr. Holl married Miss Louisa
Orie, who died in 1882, daughter of John Orie, a native of France,
who was a member of the army of Napoleon, being one of that great
general’s body-guards. Mr. Orie came to America about 1821,
locating at New Holland, Lancaster county, where he died. Mr. and
Mrs. Holl are both buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. In
politics, a Democrat, Mr. Holl served on the election board of
Reading. He was a member of the First Reformed Church, being an
elder and trustee thereof. The children of Samuel and Louisa (Orie)
Holl were: Julia, the widow of Reuben Shadell, living at No. 531
Buttonwood street, Reading; Jacob, who was educated in the public
schools of Reading and a private school, and who began business
life clerking in some of the leading houses in Reading, for several
years being head clerk for the Reading Hardware Company, resigning
this position to become the first cashier of the Keystone National
Bank, Jan. 8, 1890; Anna M.; William O., a molder of Reading;
Elizabeth, a teacher in the Reading high school; and Louisa, who
was also engaged in teaching for some time. Anna M., Louisa, and
Elizabeth reside at the old home of their father, No. 342 North
Sixth street, Reading.

HOLLENBACH, BENJAMIN
F.

p. 1405

Surnames: HOLLENBACH, HUGHES, RHODE, JONES, DIETRICH, SIEGER

Benjamin F. Hollenbach, senior member of the firm of Hollenbach,
Dietrich & Company, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, No.
805 Penn street, Reading, Pa., was born Jan. 31, 1871, at
Slatington, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hollenbach received his education in the
public schools of the place of his nativity, and on Oct. 23, 1888,
came to Reading, being employed as a driver by George W. Hughes,
then proprietor of the business now owned by our subject and
partners, it having been established in 1869 by Hughes & Rhode.
Mr. Hughes took charge of it in May, 1877, and continued until his
death in 1890, when his son-in-law R. H. Jones took over the
business. Mr. Jones died shortly afterward and his widow continued
it, with Mr. Hollenbach in charge of affairs, from April 1, 1896,
to June 10, 1900, when the present owners bought her out. The firm
of Hollenbach, Dietrich & Co., do a large business, handling
nothing but the finest of wines and whiskies, and they are the sole
proprietors of the well known “Social Rye” handled by the trade all
over the country.

Mr. Hollenbach married Carrie Sieger, of
Shoemakersville, Berks county, and one daughter, Florence M., has
been born to them. Mr. Hollenbach has a comfortable residence at
No. 125 South Eight street. He and his family attend the Lutheran
Church. Fraternally he is a member of Reading Lodge No. 115,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the
Sons of Veterans, the Eagles (F. O. E.), the Knights of Pythias and
the Knights of Malta. He is well known in business and social
circles.

HOLLENBACH, CHARLES M.

p. 1628

Surnames: HOLLENBACH, WERT, PHILLIPS, TROUTMAN, LAMM, WAGNER,
WEBBER Charles M. Hollenbach, a carpenter in Reading, residing at
No. 1032 Walnut street, was born in Centre township, Berks county,
Aug. 25, 1867, and belonged to a family which for several
generations, had made its home in this county.

Daniel Hollenbach, grandfather of Charles M.,
was a native of Upper Bern(now Tilden) township, and spent most of
his life there engaged in work as a blacksmith. A few years before
his death he moved to Penn township and lived there in retirement
until he passed away at the age of seventy-three in 1886. His wife,
Luzetta Wert, had died some years previously, at the age of sixty
years, survived by four children, viz.: John W.; William(deceased);
Sarah, who lives in Reading, unmarried; and Lizzie. John W.
Hollenbach, born on his father’s place, received his education in
the Upper Bern schools, and on attaining manhood made carpentry his
trade. In 1868 he moved his family to Reading and there worked as a
carpenter till 1877, when he turned his attention to farming
instead and settled in Penn township. He passed away in 1891, near
Bernville, at the age of fifty-five years. He married Catherine
Phillips, of Reading, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Troutman)
Phillips, of Centre township. To this union were born five
children, three of whom are living, namely: James, an undertaker in
Bernville, who died in 1906, aged forty-five years; Elmira (m. Levi
Lamm of Reading); and Charles M.

Charles M. Hollenbach passed his boyhood in
Reading and was educated in the public schools there, but when his
father moved into Penn township, the son went also and assisted in
operating the farm for a while. He then decided to adopt his
father’s trade and went to Philadelphia to learn carpentry,
returning five years later to locate in Reading. At first he worked
for others, then was in business for himself for two years and
afterward again took a place under another. He has been in the
contracting and building business in Reading since 1902, and
erected a number of substantial dwellings in different sections of
the city.

In 1891 Mr. Hollenbach married Amelia Wagner.
She was a daughter of William B. and Catharine (Webber) Wagner, of
Upper Bern township. They have had four children: James, who is a
member of the class of 1910, Reading High School, Charles Warren
and Amelia. In politics Mr. Hollenbach always supports the
Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran
Church, of which he is a deacon. He is connected by the ties of
fraternal obligation with the Knights of Malta.

Mr. Hollenbach is a self made man. He was
tax-collector of the 16th Ward, in 1908.

HOLLENBACH FAMILY

p. 1282

Surnames: HOLLENBACH, MOYER, STEIN, KISTLER, MOLL, LEWARS, GOODMAN,
JACOBY, RUTH, BUTZ, REBER, KAUFFMAN, FREEMAN, ELTING, KOLLER,
KERSHNER, TREXLER, LOOSE, SCHWOYER, SEIDERS, MILLER, DEYSHER,
SEAMAN, KECK, DEYSHER

For over a century and a half members of this family have been
actively interested in the agricultural, business and political
affairs of Berks county, Pa. In this article, especial mention is
made of the life and lineage of Jacob Hollenbach, a substantial
citizen, director of the poor, farmer and cattle-dealer of Windsor
township, and his nephew, William J. Hollenbach, representative
citizen, party leader, and the present efficient steward of the
Berks County Almshouse.

John George Hollenbach, the progenitor of the
family in America, emigrated to this country on the ship “Neptune,”
which arrived in Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1754. In 1759 he was a
citizen of Windsor township, Berks county. On the same ship on
which he came, was one Michael Hollenbach, who, says tradition, was
his brother, and who settled in Albany township, prior to 1759.

Heinrich Hollenbach, son of John George, married
Elizabeth Moyer, and to them were born children as follows: Daniel,
1781-1866, m. Catherine Stein, 1784-1862. John m. a Kistler.
Heinrich, 1791-1874, m. Marie Magdalena Moll, 1800-1871. Elizabeth,
1798-1883, m. William Lewars. Jacob, 1807-1871, is mentioned below.
Maria m. Calvin Goodman. Eva, 1811-1871, m. Jeremiah Jacoby,
1811-1855. Catherine m. Samuel Ruth. Kate m. a Mr. Butz, of Genesee
county, New York.

Jacob Hollenbach, son of Heinrich, was born Jan.
10, 1807, in Windsor township, and died March 15, 1871. When a
young man he learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he
followed for a number of years, but finally purchased the farm of
130 acres, in Perry township, which is now in the possession of his
son, Jacob. He was a well-known and influential citizen of his day,
and at the time of his death was in comfortable circumstances. On
Jan. 2, 1830, Mr. Hollenbach was married to Rebecca Kistler,
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Stein) Kistler, of Albany
township, and to this union there were born children as follows:
Henry m. Catherine Reber; Johannes died in his twenty-third year;
Nicholas is mentioned below; Caroline m. Reuben Kauffman; Rebecca
m. Levi Freeman; Lydia m. Moses Elting; Amelia m. Solomon Koller;
Mesitta m. Aspin Kershner; and Jacob.

Jacob Hollenbach was born on the homestead in
Windsor (now Perry) township, Sept. 9, 1847. He was reared on his
father’s farm, and attended the district schools of his native
locality until he was eighteen years of age. As an occupation he
chose farming and cattle-dealing, and he now owns the homestead,
which is a good, fertile farm of 130 acres in Perry township. In
politics Mr. Hollenbach is an uncompromising Democrat, and is a man
of influence in public life. He served three years each as auditor
and councilman of the borough of Hamburg, and in June, 1903, was
elected director of the poor by the people of Berks county, with
whom he has always been very popular. Through his extensive
business dealings throughout the county, he became well-known to
the people as an honest, upright citizen, and although his election
was opposed by the political machine and bosses, he was triumphant
in one of the hardest fought elections in the county’s history. He
and his family are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church of
Hamburg, where Mr. Hollenbach has resided since 1880. He owns a
fine double residence of Denver stone at Third and Walnut streets,
he having one part of the residence, while his daughter, Mrs.
Trexler, has the other part.

In 1867 Mr. Hollenbach was married to Catherine
Loose, daughter of Benneville and Polly (Schwoyer) Loose, and to
this union there were born children as follows: Wilson, who died at
the age of eight years; Maurice, who died when five years old;
Laura, m. to Frank Trexler; and Carrie, m. to Harry Seiders.

Nicholas Hollenbach, son of Jacob and Rebecca
(Kistler) and grandson of Heinrich and Elizabeth (Moyer), was born
June 29, 1832, in Windsor township. He married Annabella Miller, a
native of Berks county, and daughter of Jonathan Miller. Mr.
Hollenbach is a prosperous farmer of Tilden township, where he owns
valuable real estate and is one of the substantial citizens. In
politics he is a Democrat. In religious belief the family are all
members of the Lutheran Church.

William J. Hollenbach, son of Nicholas and
Annabella (Miller), and a popular and influential political factor
in Berks county, was born in Tilden township, Nov. 26, 1864, the
only child of his parents. In his boyhood he was sent to the
township schools, and after he had completed the studies offered
there, went to the Hamburg high school. At the age of sixteen he
was graduated there. In the spring of 1880 he was granted a
provisional certificate to teach public school by Superintendent D.
S. Keck. But his tastes did not lead to the teacher’s profession,
and after leaving school he learned the trade of a tin and sheet
iron worker. He was thus engaged for sixteen years, but at the end
of that time his father’s farming interests were such as to demand
more attention than he could give, and for ten years the son
devoted nearly his entire time to looking after his father’s
property. He also represented several firms who manufactured
harvesting machinery and farm implements, and gained considerable
reputation as a salesman through Berks and the adjoining counties.

From an early age Mr. Hollenbach was interested
in political matters, has been a zealous worker for the Democratic
party, and now is regarded as one of the influential leaders in
Berks county. He has held a number of responsible positions and has
shown himself a practical and efficient man in each. When Tilden
township was separated from Bern, Mr. Hollenbach was made the first
registered assessor, and he has also served as school director for
sometime. He has been several times chosen a delegate to county
conventions, and he has served as Democratic county committeeman.
He is now filling his second term as justice of the peace, for
Tilden township, and during this time has been called upon to
settle a number of estates. On April 7, 1905, he was elected
steward of the Berks County Almshouse, which responsible position
he is filling with high credit, and under his administration many
improvements have been made at the country home.

In domestic as in public life Mr. Hollenbach has
been fortunate. He was married, on Sept. 12, 1885, to Miss Kate
Seaman, daughter of Elias and Angelina (Kauffman) Seaman, a farmer
of Tilden township. They have an only son, Herbert S., born Nov.
17, 1886, who is a most promising young man. After graduation from
the Hamburg high school he began teaching, and was successful. He
has also taken a course in the Kerst Business College, learning
stenography and shorthand, and is now stenographer and typewriter
in the office of A. S. Deysher, of Reading. Mr. Hollenbach is also
prominent in fraternal circles, and is an active and influential
member of Symmetry Lodge, No. 100, Hamburg, I. O. O. F., in which
he has held office.

HOLLENBACH, GEORGE K.

p.
733

Surnames: HOLLENBACH, KLINE, MOYER, KISTLER, RUTH, KRESSLEY,
FEATHER, RHEIN, KIRST, FAUST, STOUDT, KLOPP, NAFTZINGER, GREENAWALT

George K. Hollenbach. Among the successful business men of Reading,
Pa., may be mentioned George K. Hollenbach, who is engaged in
painting and paper-hanging, and in the sale of wall paper, paints
and picture and room mouldings at No. 325 Elm street, Mr.
Hollenbach was born Oct. 6, 1855, at Centreport, Berks Co., Pa.,
son of John G. and Esther (Kline) Hollenbach.

George Hollenbach, grandfather of George K., was
a descendant, possibly a son, of Johan George Hollenbach, who was
one of the ancestors of this German Palatinate family in America.
He emigrated to this country in the ship “Neptune,” which arrived
at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1754, on the same ship being one Michael
Hollenbach, who, says tradition, was his brother and had settled in
Albany township, Berks county, prior to 1759, in which year he was
a taxable of that district. Johan George Hollenbach had a son,
Heinrich, who lived and died in Windsor (now Perry) township, and
who married Elizabeth Moyer, by whom he had these children: Daniel
(1781-1866); John; Heinrich (1791-1874); Elizabeth (1798-1883);
Jacob (1807-18710, married Rebecca Kistler, and had children,
Henry, Johannes, Nicholas, Caroline, Rebecca, Lydia, Amelia,
Mesitta and Jacob (ex-poor director of Berks county); Maria; Eva
(1811-1871), and Catherine married Samuel Ruth.

George Hollenbach, the grandfather, was a
resident of Mahantango township, Schuylkill county, where in 1802
he was assessed as the owner of property. The name of his wife is
not known, but it is known that he had four children, one of his
sons being John G. Hollenbach, the latter of whom was an uncle of
Frank Hollenbach, of Mantz, Schuylkill county, who died in
February, 1907, aged about sixty years. Frank Hollenbach married
Catherine Kressley, who died in September, 1907, aged fifty-six
years, and they had seven children, as follows: William, Barney,
Ida, Tillie, Katie, Mame and Minnie.

John G. Hollenbach, father of George K., was
born Sept. 8, 1827, in Schuylkill county, and when three years of
age was brought to Berks county by his parents. He was a carpenter
by trade, an occupation which he followed for many years. In later
life he resided at West Reading with his son-in-law, Charles
Feather, and there he died Jan. 23, 1909, aged eighty-one years. He
was a member of Kissinger’s Lutheran Church, where he and his wife
are buried. Mr. Hollenbach married Esther Kline, born in 1830, who
died aged fifty-three years, and to them were born four children,
as follows: Franklin died in infancy; Menton died in 1901, aged
forty-seven years; George K.; and Catherine married Charles
Feather, of West Reading.

George K. Hollenbach was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and worked with his parents until eighteen years of age,
when he learned the painter’s trade from F. R. Kirst, at Bernville,
now at Reading, for whom he worked for two years, the next twelve
years being spent in the employ of John G. Rhein, of Reading. In
1888, Mr. Hollenbach formed a partnership with his employer, a
connection that continued successfully for four years, and in 1892
he engaged in business on his own account. He carries a full and
up-to-date line of everything pertaining to the painting and wall
papering trades, and employs from ten to fifteen men.

Mr. Hollenbach is a Republican in politics, and
takes a great deal of interest in public affairs. He and his family
were members of St. Thomas Lutheran Evangelical Church, at
Bernville, Pa., at which place the family resided for twenty-seven
years. Mr. Hollenbach was a deacon in this church. He and his
family are now members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Reading.
Mr. Hollenbach belongs to Bernville Camp, No. 113, P. O. S. of A.;
the I. O. O. F., No. 122, of Bernville; Esther Rebekah Lodge, No.
4, of Reading; and the Royal and Ridgely Protective Association.

On Feb. 26, 1876, Mr. Hollenbach was married at
Bernville, to Isabella H. Faust, daughter of Jared and Leah
(Stoudt) Faust, and granddaughter of John and Sarah (Klopp) Faust,
of Western Berks county. Eight children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Hollenbach, namely: Mary L. m. Thomas C. Naftzinger, of Bethel
township; Laura A. died in childhood; Sallie m. Maurice Greenawalt,
of Bernville, deceased; John died at the age of eight years;
William H.; Charles C.; Emma L., and Lizzie M.

HOLLENBACH, ISAAC

p. 608

Surnames: HOLLENBACH, HARTMAN, GEARHART, DETURCK, SCHAEFFER, MARKS,
GERNANT, KRICK

Isaac Hollenbach, a well known citizen of Reading, engaged in the
building business, who resides at No. 600 Schuylkill avenue, was
born in 1852 in Ontelaunee township, Berks county, near Leesport,
son of John and Mary (Hartman) Hollenbach, and grandson of John and
Christiana Hollenbach. John Hollenbach, the grandfather, was a
farmer near Leesport, Pa., where many years of his life were spent,
and was a man noted for his thrift and enterprise, being held in
high esteem in his locality. He and his wife Christiana became the
parents of these children: Benjamin; Samuel; Daniel; Rebecca, m. to
Adam Gearhart; Elithebes, m. to a Mr. DeTurck; John; and Kate, m.
to a Mr. Schaeffer. In religious belief the family were Lutherans.
Mr. Hollenbach was first a Whig in politics, and later became a
Republican.

John Hollenbach, son of John, was educated in
the district schools of Berks county, and as a boy engaged in
agricultural pursuits on his father’s farm, later engaging therein
for himself, following farming all of his life. He died aged
seventy-one years, while his widow still survives him, being the
mother of five children: Catherine, m. to William Marks; Emma, who
died single; Isaac; Sally, m. to Charles Gernant; and John, a
retired farmer of Illinois.

Isaac Hollenbach’s education was secured in the
schools of Bern township, after which he came to Reading and
pursued a course in the business college. He then returned to his
native place and engaged in farming until 1891, in which year he
came again to Reading and engaged in the butchering business, for
one year, selling out to engage in the building business, at which
he has since continued with much success. He has built many
residences in the northwestern section of the city, among them
sixteen on Gordon street, seven on West Green street, sixteen on
West Greenwich street, and a row on Schuylkill avenue in the 600
block, in one of which he resides. Hollenbach street, of the
prettiest residence thoroughfares in northwestern Reading, was
named after Mr. Hollenbach, and here, in company with P. Monroe
Krick, Mr. Hollenbach built forty-three houses. He is well and
favorably known in his section of the city, serving as councilman
of the Fifteenth ward, but declining a renomination on account of
his varied business interests. He is a stanch Republican and a
member of the Northeastern Republican League, and is fraternally
connected with the Schuylkill Fire Company. In religious faith Mr.
Hollenbach is a Lutheran.

HOLLENBACK, WILLIAM S.

p 1021

Surnames: HOLLENBACK, SOBER, ELLIOTT, FRANCIS

William S. Hollenback, who has been known to the people of Reading
as a professional musician and expert piano tuner for some years,
was born in Shamokin, Pa., in 1866, son of Dr. Reuben and Dorcas
(Sober) Hollenback.

Dr. Reuben Hollenback, father of William S., is
one of the leading dental practitioners of Northumberland county,
Pa., where he has been engaged in a general practice of his
profession since 1864. To him and his wife, Dorcas Sober, were
born, children as follows: William S.; Hudson S., D. D. S., of Mt.
Carmel; Edwin E., D. D. S., of Shamokin, Pa.; and a son who died in
infancy. In religious belief the family are connected with the
Reformed Church, attending St. John’s at Shamokin.

William S. Hollenback attended the schools of
his native town and graduated from the Shamokin high school in
1884. He went to Boston in the fall of 1885, and entered the New
England Conservatory of Music, not completing the course at this
time, but he returned in 1887, and graduated from that well-known
institution in the spring of 1888, in the tuning department. Soon
afterward he located in Pottstown, but later transferred his
attention to Reading, and since June, 1889, he has been
successfully engaged in this city. He accepted the position of
organist in St. Barnabas P. E. Church, and there continued for two
and one-half years, spending a like term at St. John’s Reformed
Church as organist and director of music. In April, 1897, he was
engaged as organist and choir-master at the Second Reformed Church,
which position he still holds. As an expert piano tuner, his
reputation is not merely local, as he is well and favorably known
throughout Berks and adjoining counties. Since May, 1907, he has
been engaged in the sale of reliable pianos, being senior member of
the firm of William S. Hollenback & Co. Columbia graphophones
and records were added in January. Mr. Hollenback was married in
1893 to Miss Ida M. Elliott, of Shamokin, Pa., daughter of James M.
and Sarah (Francis) Elliott, and two children have been born to
this union: Grace, now (1909) aged thirteen years, who has had
favorable mention as a child pianist; and Elliott H., aged nine
years.