Hollister, Samuel B., 1817-1900

HOLLISTER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2010 at 18:28:07

Hull Index, Feb. 9, 1900
OBITUARY

The following sketch was prepared mainly from a brief autobiography prepared by Father Hollister, and found among his papers. It was doubtless prepared for this occasion. You will notice that it is mainly occupied with matters pertaining to his religious life and dwelling often on matters that to others might seem little things. But these are the things that at the close of his long life, seemed to him of the most real importance. Houses, farms, physical toils, and even physical enjoyments, seemed now to be of very little consequence. The life in Christ, and the steps sometimes irregular and painful, up which he climbed with firm faith and unfailing trust that marked his later years; these he counted the important facts of his life. Parental influence, early religious surroundings, and an early consecration of himself to the actual service of the Lord, gave him deliverance from the too common excesses of early life, and gave him the clean, energetic manhood which were recognized by those who came in contact with him in later years.

Samuel B. Hollister was born in Cobleshill, Schoharie Co., N.Y., Dec. 31, 1817 and died at his residence at Hull, Jan. 30, 1900 at the ripe age of 82 years and one month. His parents were Stephen and Anna Hollister. The family was of good stock, for Father Hollister counted himself the eighth generation in this country descended from Lieut. Hollister who came from England to America, and settled in Connecticut in 1642. Before the little Samuel was a year old, his father and mother moved west into what was then the thickly wooded wilderness of Western New York, settling in Freedom, Catteraugus Co., south of what is now the city of Buffalo. Other settlers came, and soon a revival of religion swept over that new country. A Baptist church was organized, and with it Samuel's father and mother united, and six of his eldest brothers and sisters, Samuel being the ninth in order of birth. This revival is here spoken of because from it dates the influence that made our brother the strong, earnest Christian man that he was and the foundation for the unwavering preference which he always showed for the Baptist church. When he was nine years old his parents moved nine miles away onto another farm, remote from any religious services. But a schoolhouse was built and a Methodist itinerant soon made it one of his preaching places.

A Baptist missionary some soon after and organized a Baptish church five miles away. All the Hollister family who were then professing Christians, united with this church and with the Sunday school connected with it. Samuel had for some time been a member of this S.S., and was praying for a revival, when he was twelve years old, that the whole school and he himself especially might be blessed, with a brother 21[or 2-1/2?] years older than himself he used regularly to walk this five miles to church and S.S. for horses were so scarce that riding was not possible. The farm work was done with oxen. When Samuel was 13 years old his brother went to Buffalo to learn a trade and Samuel used to make his walk, often alone, over a rough and hilly road, through heavy timber. When he was 14[?] the revival for which he had prayed came, and he openly confessed Christ, was baptised and united with the Baptist church. When Samuel was only 12 years old he joined a Temperance Society, organized in his neighborhood, and kept it as long as he lived. His religious life was not free from temptation nor was it always bright. Some of his companions who professed conversion at the same time that he did, went back, and at times, Samuel was almost discouraged. But God did not forsake him and increasing years and experience brought him closer to the Master and made his faith in Christ stronger and his hope more assured.

In 1838 he came to Wisconsin with his youngest sister and her husband. Samuel was then 21 years old. He brought his church letter with him and promptly united with the First Baptish church of Milwaukee and remained a member until all the other members had moved away. In 1839 he became acquainted with the young lady, a Miss Sarah A. Hollister, a distant relative of his own; and June 1st, 1840, they were married. In 1851 they removed to Juneau Co., Wis., and in 1876 to Iowa and in 1889 to Hull. I need not say here how much he has been respected and honored by those of us who have been fortunate enough to have had an intimate acquaintance with Father and Mother Hollister during their ten years residence in this town.

To Samuel and Sarah Hollister were born ten children, four of whom have entered the spirit world before him; three sons and one daughter, one of the sons having given his life for the country in the war of the Rebellion. The dear wife who shared his joys and sorrows still survives, quite feeble and frail, and looking forward, ere long, to a meeting on the other side of the river.

The surviving children are Cyrus S., Storrs W., and Charles M. Hollister; Mrs. Lois Moulton, Mrs. Almeda Putney and Mrs. Letta I. Trowbridge. Of these, all except Mrs. Moulton, whose home is in Georgia, were present at his bedside to cheer his dying moments.

In the death of Father Hollister, we have lost from our midst, a typical man of the old fashioned kind; sturdy, steadfast, conscientious. He was a man who never asked what was the popular side of any question, and who never swerved to the wind of public opinion. He sought to do what was right and to please God. He was no more unswerving in his adherence to his religious principles than he was to his political convictions and to his sense of duty to his neighbors. He was more than ready to die; he longed to be gone. It would be cruel to wish him back; let us rather emulate his virtues and seek to fulfill each one our share of the responsibilities he has, after such a long life, laid down.

The above was read from the pulpit by Rev. Chase at the funeral of the deceased.

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A brief note on his death in the previous week's Hull Index (Feb. 2, 1900) said that:
His death has been expected for some weeks past as he was gradually growing weaker. His life was ended on early Wednesday morning. The funeral service took place yesterday from the Congregational church. Rev. Nelson, of the Doon Baptist church preached the sermon.