Holsinger - Levi
Source: Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain Counties, Indiana, p 427 (Chapman Brothers, 1893)
Levi T. HOLSINGER a well known minister of the German Baptist Brethren Church is also a practical farmer of Montgomery County, owning and managing a good farm on Section 16, Clark Township. He was born in Henry County, this state March 21, 1850, a son of John H. Holsinger, who was born in Bedford County, PA 1820. The father was married in his native County to Sallie TEETER. Both the Holsingers and Teeters are of German origin. John Holsinger continued to live in PA for 4 years after his marriage and then came to Indiana. After a six months' stay in Wayne County, Mr. Holsinger removed to Henry County in the spring of 1850, and resided in henry until 1876 when he went to Nebraska to live, settling in Fillmore County where he bought 160 acres of land which he devoted to farming purposes. He made many valuable improvements and had a fine farm of 333 acres in Indiana, previous to going to Nebraska. His wife died march 28, 1889 in Neb and after that he made his home with his children until his death August 20, 1892. he was a member of the German baptist Brethren Church in which he also served as minister. Politically he was a sound Republican. He was the father of 3 children, of whom two are living, our subject, the youngest and Jeremitah T who was born November 17, 1845, married Mollie C, daughter of Thomas Graham, of Henry County and now resides in Delaware County.
Mr. Holsinger's daughter Maria was born May 17, 1840 married TH Johnson a farmer in Henry County and died August 29, 1891. After his marriage, Mr. Holsinger established his home in his native County and devoted himself to farming and teaching music. He was naturally gifted as a musician, and had cultivated his talents in that direction. He taught for 3 years there and then opened a boot & shoe store in Blackford County, near Montpelier, which he conducted for nearly a year. In 1876 he removed with his family to Nebraska, and first located in Fair County, where he engaged in carpentering. He followed that trade 3 years and at the end of that time his father gave him a part of his farm in Fillmore Co. He lived on it a year and a half and then returned to Indiana and for awhile he was employed in contracdting and building with his residence at Oakville. In March 1884, Mr. H. purchased a third interst in some saw and planing mills, which were completely demolished the first of the following April by the great tornado that swept through the town.
This entailed a great loss on Mr. Holsinger and his partners, but they rebuilt the mills and he took a half interest in them, which he retained until 1888, when he disposed of his share in theconcern at a good price and coming to Montgomery Co, bought the farm upon which he now lives of E. Pearson. It comprises 160 acres of well improved and finely cultivated land is amply supplied with every accessoryf or carrying on agriculture. In 1871 Mr. Holsinger was married to Mary A, daughter of Jacob Kern who was a mechanic of Oakville, Delaware co. They have been blessed in their happy marriage with several children, Morthon who was born May 26, 1873, and is already in the ministry of the German Baptist Brethren Church as a young preacher of much promise; Edna Emma, born May 4, 1876; Harley B, born May 29, 1880; Franklin R, born Jan 13, 1882; Jeremiah N., born July 12, 1884; Gracie D, born August 21, 1886 and Mary Anna, born November 30, 1887. Mr. H. has long been prominently identified with the German bpatist Brethren Church as one of its most earnest and useful ministers, having been an expounder of the Gospel according to the doctrines of that faith ever since hw as licensed to preach Sept 21, 1878. He has charge of the Sugar Creek Church, Hancock County and he also preaches to numerous other congregations. He is a power in the Church, both in the pulpit and as an active missionary, distributing tracts and in other ways disseminating the religious truths that he holds so dear, besides being an active worker in the Sunday School and Superintendent of the distribution of tracts. In poltics he acts according to the dictates of his conscience and is not bound by party ties. - typed by kbz