Neligh News, Dec. 8, 1927

Aaron HOLLENBECK

Funeral services were held for Aaron Hollenbeck at the Clearwater Auditorium. Mr. Hollenbeck was born at Knox, Albany Co, NY, Oct 30, 1834. When 16 years of age he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, residing there five years. From Wisconsin, they moved to Minnesota and remained there until 1857, at which time they moved to Iowa, remaining there until 1870, when they moved to Nebraska and took a homestead one mile east of Clearwater, which Mr. Hollenbeck owned at the time of his death and where he resided until his death. On Oct 7, 1860, he married Miss Anna Bales. To them four sons were born, John, James, Alma and Jess. In 1895 his first wife died and on Mar 30 1898, he married Mrs. Addie Belle (Stevens) Anderson, who survives him. His trip to Nebraska in 1870 was made by oxen and wagon overland. The life of the early settlers was full of dangers and hardships of many sources. Their first loss was from the grasshoppers in 1874, 1875, and 1876. Their crops were completely destroyed by the pests. Many times Mr. Hollenbeck fought prairie fires to protect homes and property. With grasshoppers in the summer, prairie fires in the fall, and severe blizzards in the winter, the life of the pioneer was strenuous. Mr. Hollenbeck was not only a sturdy pioneer but believed in social development. He was a devoted member of the Reorganized Latter Day Saints Church for more than sixty years.