U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hollis, Robert S. (1850-1926) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 874-876, ROBERT S. HOLLIS. Robert S. Hollis, a broad-minded, liberal Prestonian, was brought to this country in his cradle about ten years before the Civil War. His early life was one of struggle and bitter experience. He was the son of James J. Hollis, a school teacher and jeweler, both the trade and the profession being in that day not what it is now. Nevertheless, the trade furnished some means of support in the summer time, and during the winter teaching school became the avocation for a few months during each year, and in this way the family eked out an existence. Thomas Hollis, the grandfather, came from England during the latter part of the last century and located at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where James J. was born in 1802. Here the son was educated and learned his trade, and then married. His first wife was a Miss Hamilton, and by her he had two sons: George Washington and James. His second wife was Elizabeth Paschall, and to this union five children were born, namely: (1) Sarah Catherine, who married James Knotts; (2) Mary Ellen, who married Leonard M. Deakins; (3) Emily Susan, who married R. S. Davis; (4) Isaac P., who married the widow Adams and moved to Miami county, Ohio; (5) R. S., who was born September 4, 1850, and brought to Preston when but three months old. James J. Hollis, the father, was an industrious man, but never became wealthy. Circumstances necessitated several removals in his life- time, he coming to Cheat Bridge, Preston county, from Springfield, West Virginia, where Robert, the subject of this sketch, was born. He had moved first to Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he married his second wife, then he went to Winchester, Virginia, from which place he moved to Hampshire county before coming here. R. S. Hollis lost his mother when but six years old, and for six years thereafter his lot was a hard one. Finally his father took him West, and what education he got he obtained from the public schools of Darke county, Ohio. When twelve years of age he entered into the employ of Brandon & English, large lumber and real estate dealers, and in this connection a ray of sunshine entered into the boy's life which brightened up the way for him during the rest of his days. He became one of the most trusted employees of this firm, and his connection with them was a profitable one. When but fourteen years of age he was put in charge of a corps of workers, and not infrequently he would be given an oversight of forty or more men. From this time forward everything changed for the better. When but eighteen years old, in 1869, Mr. Hollis came to Rowlesburg, where he was employed for a short time by the Rowlesburg Lumber & Iron Company, but in the month of September of that same year he began railroading, and for thirty-five years thereafter, with the exception of three months, he continued in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. First he was a brakesman, but after a service in that capacity twenty-two months, he was made conductor, and this position he held six years. From 1878 to 1880 he was a fireman, then for twenty-three years thereafter, or until 1903, he was an engineer. December 31, 1872, Mr. Hollis married Eunice M. Funk, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza Funk, of Rowlesburg. From 1873 to 1879 he lived at Newburg, then returned to Rowlesburg, where he has continued to reside ever since. In 1901 Mr. Hollis purchased the store of T. W. Nine, merchant, of Rowlesburg, and this was the beginning of his large mercantile interests, begun two years before he quit railroading. April 30, 1908, the original store was burned and the present large, commodious structure was erected. From the beginning the business prospered, and much realty from time to time was added to the estate. The good management and prosperous success is largely due to Harry and Milton Hollis, general managers of the store. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Hollis, namely: (1) Carrie, wife of C. Dawson, undertaker, who was born November 25, 1873; (2) Harry R., born January 2, 1878, and general manager of the store; (3) Elmer Eugene, deceased, born July 30, 1882, died November 18, 1892; (4) Milton Ross, born September 6, 1886. In politics Mr. Hollis is a staunch Republican. In 1892 he ran for sheriff of Preston county, but was defeated by thirteen votes. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and a Past Grand. In 1896 and 1897 he represented the Solomon Grand Lodge of U. S. A. The social and financial standing of Mr. Hollis is above par; comment is unnecessary. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #13095 FULL-NAME: Robert S. Hollis BIRTH-DATE: September 4, 1850 BIRTH-PLACE: Springfield, Va. DEATH-DATE: September 20, 1926 DEATH-PLACE: Rowlesburg, Reno District, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Merchant / Genl Mdse FATHER: James J. Hollis (born in Lancaster, Pa.) MOTHER: Elizabeth Paschall (born in Lancaster, Pa.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Cancer of Stomach INFORMANT: H. R. Hollis (of Rowlesburg, W.Va.) BURIAL: Rowlesburg, W.Va. (wife of Robert S. Hollis) From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #8368 FULL-NAME: Eunice M. Hollis BIRTH-DATE: October 10, 1853 BIRTH-PLACE: Rowlesburg, W.Va. DEATH-DATE: June 18, 1930 DEATH-PLACE: Rowlesburg, Reno District, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Widowed (Robert S. Hollis) OCCUPATION: Housewife FATHER: Jonathon Funk (born in Preston Co., W.Va.) MOTHER: Eliza Wotring (born in Preston Co., W.Va.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Chronic Interstitial Nephritis INFORMANT: H. R. Hollis (of Rowlesburg, W.Va.) BURIAL: Rowlesburg, W.Va. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------