Springfield-Greene
County LibraryPROF. H. A. HOLLISTER. There is no profession more useful than that of the educator. In all ages he has been honored above most of his follow men and many of the names that have come down to us through the ages and will be known of men to the end of time are those of teachers. True their methods differed from those of the modern teacher under the different conditions of their times, but their lore was handed down through generation after generation and formed the basis of the text books introduced after the invention of printing. The old philosophers so-called were teachers and many of our modern teachers are philosophers. The work of the teacher never dies, and he lives in the memory of his pupils after others are forgotten. He not only informs the human mind but he impresses the human heart for good or for evil, and many a good man has become good because his preceptor was good. Missouri has been fortunate in having many educational institutions of real merit, presided over by men who would ably fill the chair of any college in the land; and its public schools have been no less meritorious. One of the leading and most progressive educators in the State today is Prof. H. A. Hollister, principal of the Springfield High School, and something of a biographical character concerning him forms an essential portion of this volume. Prof. Hollister is descended from Puritan ancestors. Lieut. John Hollister, the founder of the family in America, was born at Glastenbury in the north of England. He came with his family to America in 1634 and settled at what is now known as South Glastenbury, Conn., nine miles below Hartford. He was a Puritan in his religious belief and like many of the early settlers of New England, he left his native land that he might worship God in peace and in his own, way, according to the dictates of his own conscience. He was one of the original settlers of South Glastenbury and was one of those sterling characters who assisted in establishing civil and religious liberty in the New England States. He died in Connecticut in 1665 at the age of fifty-nine years, having married in 1634 Joan Treat, who was born in Glastenbury, England, in 1608. Their son John was born at Glastenbury, Conn., in 1642 and died there in 1711. He married Sarah Goodrich in 1667, who was born at Glastenbury. Their son Thomas was born at Glastenbury in 1672 and died at the same place in 1742, having married, in 1696, Dorothy Hill, of Glastenbury. Josiah Hollister, their son, was born at Glastenbury in 1696, and died at the same place in 1766. He was married to Martha Miller in 1718 and their son Amos was born in 1724, dying at his birthplace, Glastenbury, in 1779, having married Bathsheba Wadsworth in 1750. Ashbel Hollister, their child, was born in 1755 at Glastenbury and died there in 1840, having been married in 1790 to Mary Pepper at New Braintree, Mass. The birth of their son Horace occurred at Pawlet, Vt., in 1798 at which place he died in 1876. He was married to Julia Smith of Pawlet in 1824. She died in 1836. Their son, William H., was the father of the subject of this sketch. For six generations the family were prominent citizens of Glastenbury and were farmers, soldiers, patriots and men of devout religious convictions. Ashbel Hollister, the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, removed to Pawlet, Vt., in 1781 and was a soldier of the Revolution, serving under the renowned Polish nobleman, Kosciusko. He reared seven sons and two daughters. He was a miller, by trade and in religious belief was a Presbyterian. He was respected by the people of his native town and was a member of the Board of Selectmen of Pawlet in 1801. This was an office of importance in those days, as the board governed the affairs of the town and only men of high character and good judgement were selected for this office. His son, Ashbel W., was a member of the General Assembly of Vermont in 1842. The Hollisters were noted for their love of liberty. Ashbel was a soldier of the Revolution and Francis S., Albert E. and Willis H., all from Pawlet, were soldiers in the War of 1812; and members of the families have served in all the important American wars. Horace Hollister, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the father of twelve children by his two wives. He was a wagon manufacturer and followed that occupation at different places in New York until his death at Westfield in 1876. He was an enterprising man of business and was considered wealthy. He was a Republican and a strong Abolitionist in politics. He was a man of exceptionally high character and an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. His son William H. Hollister, was born at Warsaw, N. Y., in January, 1830, and was given a common school and academical education. He devoted his life to farming and in 1849 was married to Margaret, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Perry) Wilcox, by whom he became the father of the following children: William H., John J., George F., Alson A., Horace A., Ella M., Jane H. and Grace M. After his marriage Mr. Hollister settled at Westfield, N. Y., where he remained until after the birth of his third child in 1854 when he moved to Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa, and purchased a farm on which he still lives. He cleared this farm of timber and by industry and thrift has made his land one of the most valuable tracts in that section of the country. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics and keeps well informed on the vital questions of the day and in earlier life took an active interest in political matters. He was one of the organizers of his township and held the office of township trustee for several years. He has always been a friend of education and for a number of years was a member of the School Board and treasurer of his township. He was one of the first to take an interest in the organization of the Grange movement and was master of the county grange at different periods. He is liberal in his views, benevolent in disposition and kindly disposed to all and has never been found niggardly in his support of causes worthy his patronage. He has a high sense of honor and it may well be said of him that his word is as good as his bond. He is a lover of law and order and the people repose the utmost confidence in his judgment and honor. Horace A. Hollister, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father's farm in Iowa October 14, 1857, and early acquired those valuable habits of industry which have marked the career of the farmer's boy in whatever line of labor he may choose to follow. After attending the district schools he attended the high school at Manchester, after which he taught a district school in Delaware County for one year. Having a desire to gain a wider and more complete education he entered the preparatory department of the Iowa State University, having earned the where-with-all to pay his expenses, and there he fitted himself for the University. Following this he taught in the graded schools of Delaware, Masonville and Edgewood, Iowa, and for three years was principal of the Springdale Seminary in Cedar County. Thus while gaining his collegiate education, he also gained a wide and practical experience in his chosen profession. He took a full classical course in the university and graduated with honor in 1888. His vacations were spent in teaching and in this manner he procured means to pay all his collegiate expenses. After his graduation he became superintendent of the schools of Bellevue, Iowa, where he remained three years, after which he filled the same position for two years at Argentine, Kas., and in 1892 was appointed principal of the High School of Springfield. In his school work he believes in modern methods, and while he is a thorough disciplinarian, uses mild measures. He is an advocate of an extended course of study in the high school and is in favor of classical course which will fit pupils for college. Like his father before him, he is a man of liberal views and is keenly alive to the current issues of the day. Prof. Hollister was married March 16, 1881, to Emma A. Satchwell, whose father served in an Iowa regiment during the Civil War and died in camp at Vicksburg. They have three children: Edith M., Ethel A- and Noble P. The Professor and his wife are members of the First Congregational Church of Springfield and he has at different places been deacon of this church. He is an Independent Republican, and socially is a member of the National Union and was speaker of his lodge at Argentine, Kan. He is a practical educator, a man of broad and cultured mentality, a clear thinker and reasoner and an easy and forcible speaker, expressing himself at times with eloquence. He is in every respect fitted for the office he fills, which the citizens of Springfield are not slow to recognize; and being genial, refined and courteous in manners he at all times commands the respect of his pupils as well as their parents and all who know him. Mrs. Hollister's parents were George W. and Mandana E. (Shaw) Satchwell, the former of whom was a native of Broom County, N. Y., and of English descent. He married in the State of his birth and after settling at Epworth, Dubuque County, Iowa, followed the occupation of a farmer with success. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Manley E., Kate, Edith and Emma A. August 22, 1862, Mr. Satchwell enlisted at Epworth, Iowa, in Company F, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was in the service of his country less than one year when his death occurred at Vicksburg June 22, 1863. He was a man of great energy, industry and of excellent character and was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. Prof. Hollister attributes much of his success in life to the influence of his wife, who adds to the many sterling qualities inherited from her parents, a good practical education, not only in the culture of schools but also in the affairs of the home and of society.
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