PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
pg 615, 616
JOSEPH P. HOLLINGSWORTH.
Among the well-regulated farms of Jefferson Township, Greene County,
may be probably mentioned that of Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH which stands as a fitting
monument to his energy and industry. It is under good cultivation, is
embellished with good buildings, including a handsome two-story brick residence
and all the other structures required by the intelligent and progressive farmer.
The property has been in the hands of the present proprietor since 1870 and he
has now effected most of the improvements which are seen upon it. He is a man
occupying a good position in his community, one who has made for himself a good
record and who gives his support to the enterprises calculated for the good of
the people around him, socially, morally and financially.
Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH was born May 20, 1833, in
Jefferson Township, Greene County, this State and is the son of Jarius and
Emeline (GORHAM) HOLLINGSWORTH, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania
and Connecticut. The father of our subject leaned brick-making and plastering in
early manhood and followed his trade for a number of years in his native State.
While yet a single man he emigrated to Ohio, locating among the earliest
pioneers of Clinton County. Turning his attention now toward agriculture he
secured a small tract of land from the heavy timber with the forest for miles
around him and set about the construction of a home. In due time he was joined
in wedlock with Miss GORHAM and they labored together with the mutual purpose in
view of gaining a competence.
The mother of our subject left her native
state of Connecticut with her parents when a young child and afterward lived in
Clinton County, this State until her marriage. The newly wedded pair sojourned
for a few years after their union in Clinton County, then removed to Jefferson
Township, Greene County. There they resided until retiring from the active
labors of life, when they removed to Xenia where Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH died in 1884
at the age of eighty-one years, having been born in 1804. He was a man more than
ordinarily intelligent and observing, skilled as a mechanic and one who
exercised no small influence among the people of his community. The mother is
still living, being now eighty one years and makes her home in Xenia. Both she
and her husband were for many years members in good standing of the Methodist
Protestant Church in which the father officiated as Class-Lender and occupied
other positions of trust and responsibility. Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH had been reared
in the Quaker Church.
To the parents of our subject there was
born a family of eleven children most of whom lived to become men and women.
Joseph P. was reared and educated in his native township and when approaching
manhood leaned the trade of a bricklayer and other work connected therewith
under the instruction of his father. Some of the most substantial brick
residences in Greene County are the work of his hands and he assisted in
building all the school houses but one in Jefferson Township. In 1885, however,
he abandoned his trade and turned his attention entirely to agricultural
pursuits.
The subject of this notice was married on
the farm where he now lives, February 16, 1860, to Miss Martha BALES. Mrs.
HOLLINGSWORTH was born in Jasper Township, March 30, 1842 and was the daughter
of Silas and Elizabeth (SMITH) BALES who were among the oldest settlers of
Greene County, locating in Jefferson Township they there built up a good
homestead where Mr. BALES spent the closing years of his life, dying when quite
aged, in July 1882. He was a very intelligent man, well educated and had taught
school for a number of years. Politically he was a conscientious Democrat and
was a man who made friends wherever he went. Mrs. BALES is still living being
now seventy-two years old. She is a lady held in high esteem wherever known and
a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. HOLLINGSWORTH was reared to an attractive womanhood under the parental roof and is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and pleasing manners. Of her union with our subject there have been born four sons and one daughter, viz: Emma E., Alonzo, Marion, Charley and Harley, twins and all are at home with their parents. Hr. HOLLINGSWORTH politically supports the principle of the Republican Party. While he and his estimable wife are not identified with any religious organization, there are no two people in the township more decidedly in favor of strict morality, temperance and all the good qualities which go to make up a community of upright and intelligent people.
transcribed by Jean Hehn
29 Mar 2002