by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

   Mr. Hollingsworth was born in Henderson County, Ill., in October, 1853. During his early life, he attended school and worked on a farm. The handling of cattle was a prominent feature of the work. The raising and feeding and buying and selling stock was carried on extensively. At the age of fourteen, he removed with his parents to Tecumseh, Shawnee Co., four miles east of Topeka, Kan. There he farmed until the spring of 1870, then removed with his parents to Lindsey, in Salmon Valley, in Ottawa County. There he clerked in a country store for three years. At this time, his health failed him, and he came to Colorado. He visited Denver and Georgetown. After a brief illness at the latter place, he returned home. In August of 1874, he went to Salina, Saline Co., Kan., and clerked for Litowick & Wittmann in a dry goods store. He commenced as a boy, and in two years was chief clerk. Again his health failed him. He traveled 750 miles by wagon to Salt Lake City, where he spent a summer. In the fall of 1877, he went back to Salina and worked for the same firm until May 1, 1878. He then went to West Las Animas, Bent Co., Colo., and was employed as book-keeper for Jones & Weil for three years. Though not of a strong constitution, yet Mr. Hollingsworth has performed much hard work. For six years, he did not lose a day when able to be on duty. Mr. Hollingsworth went to La Junta about the 1st of April, 1881. On the 15th of the same month, he opened a store, stocked with groceries and men's furnishing goods. May 1, 1881, he was elected Councilman at the first municipal election in La Junta. In July of the same year, he was appointed Postmaster. He is doing business in the old Russell building; is the oldest in the town.