Cumberland County, Maine - Robert Downing Hollis
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Biography
Robert Downing Hollis
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 596


Robert Downing Hollis, a prosperous and respected farmer of Deering, was born in
the town of Folly, Colchester County, N. S., April 26, 1826. His parents were
John and Elizabeth (Downing) Hollis, both natives of Colchester County, the
former of English descent. The first representatives of the Hollis family in
America, it is said, were two brothers, Richard and David Hollis, who immigrated
to this country more than one hundred years ago and settled in New York State.
In 1772 Richard Hollis, ancestor of Robert D., removed to Nova Scotia.

John Hollis, the father of Robert Downing Hollis, spent his life in Nova Scotia,
attending the common schools in boyhood and devoting the years of his manhood to
agricultural pursuits on the farm which had been tilled by his father. He reared
fourteen children, of whom six are now living -Sarah, wife of William Higgins,
of Nova Scotia; Robert Downing, the subject of this sketch ; Nathaniel, who is
also a resident of Nova Scotia; Lottie, wife of Adam Downing, who lives near her
father's homestead; Rebecca, wife of Oliver Wood, a farmer in Cumberland County,
Nova Scotia; and Ellen, wife of Wentworth Ebson, of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs.
John Hollis were members of the Baptist church.

Robert Downing Hollis received his education in the schools of his native town,
and, as he was a lad of more than ordinary intelligence, made the most of the
opportunities afforded. In 1856 he went to Portland and for about a year worked
at whatever offered; then, in 1857, he entered the employ of Mr. A. W.
Longfellow, with whom he remained ten years. In 1867 he purchased the farm on
which he now resides, and since that time has been prosperously engaged in
general farming, also conducting a large trucking business.

May 28, 1854, Mr. Hollis was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Downing,
daughter of George Downing, a farmer of Colchester County, Nova Scotia. This
union was blessed with six children, of whom five are living at present-Olive
E., who was born in Nova Scotia, February 11, 1855, wife of Obart Curtis, of
Bath, Me.; Nellie M., born in Westbrook, Me., November 29, 1857; John F. A.,
born in Westbrook, now Deering, Me., July 26, 1861, who married Miss O. F.
Merry, of New London, Conn.; Rhoda E., born in Deering, December 25, 1863; and
Robert D., Jr., born in Westbrook, Me., May 2, 1866, who is yet living with his
parents.

Politically, Mr. Hollis favors the Republican party. He is not an aspirant for
office, but served acceptably at one time as Street Surveyor. An intelligent and
well-informed man, he is unassuming in his manners and way of living, content to
enjoy the comforts of prosperity without seeking for luxury.