| This biography appears on pages 559-560 in "Soldiers' and Citizens' Album of Biographical Record containing personal sketches of Army Men and Citizens Prominent in loyalty to the Union" Published in 1888 |
| William W. Hollister, a citizen of Shawano, Wis., and a member of G.
A. R. Post No. 81, was born November 26, 1844, in Racine County, Wis. He
is the son of Asa and Sarah Ann (Toombs) Hollister, both of whom are
living at Oshkosh. He paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Mexican
war and was a descendant of Major Hollister who was in the British
service during the Revolution. Mr. Hollister has three brothers; Phillip
W., and Guy reside at Marinette, Wis., and are engaged in the lumber
business and in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. G. W.
Hollister is engaged in lumbering and milling in Canada and was a
soldier in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry. Mr. Hollister of this sketch grew
to manhood in Wisconsin and he enlisted August 30, 1864, in Company E,
2nd Wisconsin Cavalry for one year or during the war, and made
connection with the command at Memphis, Tenn., where he was engaged in
scouting duty and in all other relations pertaining to cavalry service,
in which he was engaged until the regiment was disbanded. In the spring
of 1865 he was engaged in protecting Union citizens from rebels and
bushwackers and in June of that year was discharged as stated. Among the
expeditions in which he took part was the second raid under Grierson in
Mississippi. He escaped without serious injury or illness and he acted
in the capacity of Orderly Sergeant in which he was engaged in the
parole and exchange of rebel soldiers. On his return from the army he
came to Oshkosh and engaged in lumbering, which has since formed his
business connection and where he has also operated as a contractor. In
1882 he removed to Shawano where he has since been similarly engaged. He
has held the office of Town Clerk, as a stanch Republican and is proud
to belong to a political organization of such noble record. In youth he
received a limited education and belongs to the best class of self-made
men and his business has become large and prosperous through his own
efforts.
He was married to Frederica B. Schooley of Neenah and their three children, Anna E., Ethel and Myron W., have been carefully reared and educated and the elder daughter is a student at Ripon College. |