• Born: 28 Jan 1822, Fairfield NY
• Marriage (1): Persis Harrington on 30 Nov 1845 in Greenfield MA
• Died: 27 Jul 1896, Greenfield MA

  General notes:

Jeweler and watchmaker

  Events in his life were:

• Apprenticed: Jarvis B. Prentice, in 1843, in Greenfield MA. His master died the next year and Hollister purchased the business.

• He worked in 1844-1886 as a jeweler and watchmaker in Greenfield MA

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Greenfield MA. Listed as a jeweler.

• Example: Watch paper, circa 1860, in Private Collection.

• He appeared on the census in 1870 in Greenfield MA. Listed as a jeweler.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1875, in Private Collection.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1875, in Private Collection.

• Advertised: Gazette & Courier, on 4 Jan 1875, in Greenfield MA. "Taken from my counter on Dec. 18, a Sardonyx Stone Locket, oval, about 1 inch longest diameter, a dark stone on the opposite side, with two places for miniatures. The above locket was put in a small yellow box, ready for delivery. A liberal reward will be given for the return of the locket or conviction of the person who took it."
  J. H. Hollister

• He appeared on the census in 1880 in Greenfield MA. Listed as a jeweler.

• Example: Tradecard, circa 1880, in Private Collection.

• His obituary was published in The Boston Daily Globe on 28 Jul 1896. GREENFIELD-July 27-Joseph H. Hollister, who has been in business in this town for over a half a century, longer than anyone living, died this afternoon at 3:35 from complications of disease. He had been growing more feeble for several weeks. He had suffered little of late, and had been only semi conscious.
  Mr. Hollister at the time of his death was the oldest businessman in Greenfield in point of continuous business service. For 51 years he carried on the jewelry business, and until within a few months from choice he had worked daily at the bench.
  He was born in Fairfield, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1822. His father was an Episcopal clergyman. His parents removed to Pontiac, Mich., while he was a lad, and it was there that he learned his trade as a jeweler. Fever and ague drove him from the west, and he came to Albany and worked at his trade.
  Through a Mr. Pemberton he was induces to come to Greenfield to work for Jarvis B. Prentiss. It was Thanksgiving day, 1843, that Mr. Hollister came to Greenfield, and the next year his employer died and Mr. Hollister purchased the business. In those days he worked 16 hours a day and at night slept under the counter. Where the fine Hollister block now stands was then a little low wooden building of diminutive properties.

Joseph married Persis Harrington on 30 Nov 1845 in Greenfield MA. (Persis Harrington was born on 15 Nov 1825 in Bethel VT and died on 21 Mar 1903 in East Greenwich RI.)