Three generations of the Hollenbeck family shaped Springfield through both leadership and largely anonymous philanthropy. We will never know the full extent of the generosity of this family, but we do know that Springfield would be an enormously different place without their legacy of giving.

Generation 1:

Dwight Wheeler Hollenbeck married Ada A. Melvin in 1867. He built a successful clothing business in Circleville, Ohio, then moved to Springfield in the 1880s to enter the insurance field, becoming district general manager for John Hancock until his death in 1896.

Generation 2:

Dwight and Ada's son, Ralph W. Hollenbeck (born 1880), graduated from Wittenberg, married Ellen B. McGrew (granddaughter of Asa Bushnell, and had a long career with International Harvester, retiring as executive manager.

He later co-founded Credit Life Insurance Company. Ralph and Ellen were active civic leaders, supporting local organizations like the YMCA, Boy Scouts, and Clark Memorial Home. Ralph was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary Club.

Generation 3:

Ralph and Ellen's son, Dwight Wheeler Hollenbeck, Princeton graduate (1932), served in WWII, then succeeded his father as president of Credit Life Insurance.

He and his wife Jane Pratt Bayley (pictured, right) were generous local benefactors, supporting Wittenberg, the Springfield Symphony, and more. The Hollenbeck-Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center at Clark State bears their name, as does Hollenbeck Hall at Wittenberg.

The Hollenbeck family rests together in Ferncliff Cemetery in Section P.