Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

George T. Hollingsworth has for a long period been connected with the industrial life of Alta, giving his time and attention to the stonemason's trade, in which he has become an expert mechanic.  He was born near Fort Plain, New York, May 12, 1848, a son of John and Mary (Spring) Hollingsworth, both of whom were natives of England, where they were married ere emigrating to the new world.  The father had learned the stonemason's trade in his native country and after coming to the new world followed that as a means of support for himself and family.  Locating in New York, Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth there remained until after the birth of their two eldest children when, in 1859, they made their way westward, first locating in Madison county, Iowa, where they made their home for a decade.  On the expiration of that, period they came to Buena Vista county, where Mr. Hollingsworth homesteaded eighty acres of land in Maple Valley township, and the son also took up a claim of eighty acres adjoining.  Locating thereon, by the combined efforts of father and son, they, in due course of time, made it a well improved tract, and Mr. Hollingsworth then spent the remaining years of his active business career in farming.  His last years, however, were spent in Alta, his death there occurring in 1894.  His wife survived him for about ten years and passed away in 1904.  Thus the community lost two of its most worthy and highly respected pioneer settlers, people who had used their influence in the betterment of this community.

George T. Hollingsworth was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from his native state to Iowa.  In his early youth he learned the stonemason's trade under the direction of his father, and later learned the brickmason's [sic] and plasterer's trades.  For about ten years he followed his trades in connection with general farming and, although he still owns his tract of land, which he rents, he now makes his home in Alta and gives his time exclusively to stone and brick work, and he also contracts for building cement sidewalks.  He has laid the foundation for a number of houses in Alta and his patronage also extends to the surrounding towns and villages.  He is always found prompt in the execution of a contract and his prices are reasonable, and in this manner he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he has business dealings.

Mr. Hollingsworth was married in Storm Lake, September 24, 1875, to Miss Emerett Burdick, who was born and reared in Clinton, Iowa.  Following their marriage they made their home on the farm for ten years but, as above stated, they are now residing in Alta.  Their marriage has been blessed with three daughters and a son:  Minta, the eldest, is the wife of Ed Evans, who is connected with the stockyards at Sioux City.  They have three children, Lydia, Edna and Elda.  Zada is the wife of Elmer Benson, of Alta.  John is engaged in the harness business at Alta and Sylvia is a student in the schools at Sioux City.

Mr. Hollingsworth gives his political support to the men whom he deems best qualified for office, regardless of party ties and affiliations.  He is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Alta, the chapter at Storm Lake, the Cherokee commandery and to the Mystic Shrine of Des Moines.  He has served through all the chairs of the lodge and is now a past master.  He is an expert mechanic and holds to high ideals, both in the methods of his work and in matters of citizenship, and he is therefore regarded as a man of worth in his community.