ANDREW J. BOLLINGER,
Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: TININ, HAHN, STIGER,
one of the pioneers of the Doyle District, resides on the Stevens Creek road, six miles west of San Jose. Mr. Bollinger was born in Perry County, Missouri, in 1837. He is the son of A. J. and Sarah Bollinger, who were former residents of Bollinger County, Missouri. The founders of the family were of Swiss origin.
Henry Bollinger, to whom the subject of this sketch traces his descent, was a Swiss emigrant, who first settled in Pennsylvania, thence removing to South Carolina about the middle of the last century. To him the numerous families of that name owe their origin, and probably fully 1,200 of his descendants are now living. His name is now borne by one of the prosperous counties of Missouri. Mathis Bollinger, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of that county. A. J. Bollinger, Sr., with his family, March 29, 1852, left Missouri, and commenced the overland journey with ox teams. The Fourth of July was spent in crossing Green River. It snowed that night. Soon after arriving in the Santa Clara Valley Mr. Bollinger bought a squatter's right to a part of the land, which his son (the subject of our sketch) now owns and occupies. His first home. was just across the Stevens Creek road from the present family residence. The present residence was established in 1854, and with it Mr. Bollinger purchased the farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $1, 500. Ever since the purchase, in 1854, it has been the family home, and there the father died, March 29, 1885, at the age of seventy-four years and nine months.
He had been an active, hard-working man through all his life, and, by his many excellent qualities, had won the respect of those among whom he had so long made his home. His widow survives, and lives with their son, whose name heads this sketch. Although seventy-seven years of age, she yet retains, to a great degree, the mental vigor of earlier years, but is somewhat enfeebled physically. Her seven children, except one, were all born in Missouri. Their names and present residence are as follows: Mary Lovina, the wife of Christian Bollinger, is a resident of Santa Clara; Francis Marion lives in Contra Costa County; Sarah E., the widow of A. C. Tinin, lives in Merced County; Andrew J. is the subject of this sketch Quintilla P. is the wife of William Tinin, of Contra Costa County; Morgan D. is a resident of this county; and Samuel P., born in Santa Clara County, August 19, 1853, lives in Alameda County.
Andrew J. Bollinger, Jr., has lived, since fifteen years of age, in Santa Clara County, and here, on the fourteenth of October, 1860, he married Miss Mary Hahn, also a native of Missouri. She is the daughter of Frederick and Chaney Hahn, who came to this county in 1857. Both of Mrs. Bollinger's parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger have been born nine children, viz.: Adam J., who lives with his parents; George and Theodore, residents of this county; Mrs. Mary Jane Stiger, of San Jose; Luke R., Martin, Sarah N. and Chaney E. (who are twins), and Louie A. J., who are members of their father's household.
Mr. Bollinger is the owner of the homestead established by his father nearly thirty-five years ago. The work of cultivation and improvement he has faithfully carried on since the property came into his hands, and the land is now profitably devoted to general farming. A long residence in the county; necessitating the witnessing of such wonderful changes and rapid development, has thoroughly identified Mr. Bollinger with its interests. Politically he is fully in accord with the principles of the Democratic party.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.
Pg. 465-466