My Genealogy Hound

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, sociall, morally and financially.

Mr. Hollingsworth was born May 20, 1833, in Jefferson Township, Greene County, this State, and is the son of Jariusand Emeline (Gorham) Hollingsworth, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The father of our subject learned 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 old 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-Leader 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 learned the trade of a brick-layer 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 whereever 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. Mr. Hollingsworth, politically, supports the principles of the Republican party. While he and his estimable wife are not identified with any religious organization, there are no 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.