Cumberland County, Maine – Hollis St. Clair
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Biography
Hollis St. Clair
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 119-120

Hollis St. Clair, who for many years has been one of Cumberland's prosperous and
substantial residents; was born in Strafford, Orange County, Vt., June 13, 1810,
son of John and Rhoda (Merrill) St. Clair.

Mr. St. Clair's father was a native of New Hampshire, born January 18, 1778. He
was a machinist and followed his trade through life, his last days being spent
in Burlington, Vt., where he died July 4, 1817. He was an industrious man and a
worthy citizen. His wife, Rhoda Merrill, whom he married September 18, 1797, was
a native of New Hampshire. She became the mother of six children, as follows:
John M., who was born January 13, 1800; Cynthia, born February 24, 1804;
Ebenezer, born May 13, 1806; Thomas J., born March 8, 1808; Hollis, the subject
of this sketch; and Orrilla, born November 22, 1812. Mr. St. Clair's mother
married for her second husband Simon Green, by whom she had two children,
namely: Alpa, who was born January 30, 1819; and Alba, born November 19, 1820.
Of her eight children Hollis is the only survivor.

Hollis St. Clair grew to manhood in Strafford, Vt., and received a good academic
education. When a mere boy he was naturally inclined to busy himself in some
profitable employment; and he earned his first dollar as a helper in some kind
of night work, for which he received twelve and one-half cents per night. After
completing his studies at school he engaged in teaching. He taught six winter
terms, four of which were in his own neighborhood, and during the summer season
he was employed at the copperas works of Strafford. His connection with that
industry dated from the time he was sixteen years old; and he became an expert
in the chemical treatment of copperas and alum and the manufacture of copperas,
a business which he followed as an occupation for many years. He was offered the
position of superintendent of the Chemical Works in Portland, Me., which he
accepted under the vehement protestations of his former employers; and he
remained with the Portland concern for six years. He was then selected by
Congressman Albert Smith to fill the post of commissary of the United States
corps of engineers, which was engaged in surveying the north-east boundary
between the United States and Canada; and for the succeeding two years he was
quartered in the dense forests of Maine. During his sojourn there he saw a great
deal of wild life and adventure, the woods being alive with animals and game of
every description known in this climate; and on one occasion, while walking
through the woods alone and unarmed, he met a full-grown moose, which he at
length frightened away by his loud and continual screaming. In 1841 he settled
in Cumberland, where he bought a large farm, a portion of which he still owns;
and he has since resided in this town. He was a customhouse officer in Portland
under Buchanan's administration for almost four years.

Mr. St. Clair has been twice married. On October 15, 1840, he was united in
marriage to his first wife, Jane Sturdivant. She was born in Cumberland,
September 9, 1817, daughter of Ephraim and Rachel Sturdivant, who were
representatives of old and prominent families of Cumberland County. Mrs. Jane
Sturdivant St. Clair died October 12, 1871, leaving two children, namely:
Frances Gertrude, who was born March 18, 1842, and is now living at home; and
Herbert, who was born February 5, 1860, and now resides in Atlanta, Ga. On
November 3, 1882, Mr. St. Clair wedded for his second wife Jane S. Merrill, who
was born in Cumberland, June 20, 1836, daughter of John and Sally (Chenery)
Merrill. Mrs. St. Clair's paternal grandparents, Jacob and Rosanna (Davis)
Merrill, were early settlers of Pownal; and the family was a prominent one in
that neighborhood. John Merrill, Mrs. St. Clair's father, was a native and
lifelong resident of Cumberland, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died August 3, 1881. His wife,
who was a native of Massachusetts, became the mother of six children, two of
whom are living, namely: Asa, who was born February 27, 1826, and resides in
Cumberland; and Mrs. St. Clair, who is the youngest. Mrs. Sally C. Merrill died
in 1882.

Mr. St. Clair has lived a busy and prosperous life, his business transactions
having all been attended with good financial results. He served as a justice of
the Peace for forty years, but of late years he has retired from the more active
details of business. He is a Democrat in politics and liberal in his religious
views. Mrs. St. Clair attends the Methodist Episcopal church.