Arthur W. Hollensteiner was born in 1866 in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Arthur Hollensteiner, came to Demersville in 1891, where he was express agent and warehouse foreman for the Steamboat company. In 1892, he and Tom Bogart started the Eagle Shoe Co. Their first store was back of where the Kalispell Hotel is now. They sold many small articles and when Indians asked the price, Mr Hollensteiner would say, "Oh, then cents." Consequently, the Indians names him "O Ben Sens".
Mr Hollensteiner was a charter member of the volunteer fire department organized in 1892. The first equipment was a hook and ladder outfit pulled by hand. Upon an alarm, those nearest the fire hall ran out the hose carts and hook and ladder. Later comers tied on to the ropes and dragged the vehicles. The first fire alarms were revolver shots and later, a bell in an enclosed tower on First Ave. East.
In 1900, Arthur married Jennie Stahl, who taught one of the first schools at Swam Creek near Jennings. At one time, Arthur took a bicycle trip to Fort Steele, British Columbia, but due to road conditions, walked alot of the way. Besides their home at 116 5th Avenue East, the Hollensteiner’s also had a summer home on Flathead Lake. Arthur and Jennie had three children. Arthur died in 1951 shortly after Jennie and he celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
Mr Hollensteiner was a charter member of the volunteer fire department organized in 1892. The first equipment was a hook and ladder outfit pulled by hand. Upon an alarm, those nearest the fire hall ran out the hose carts and hook and ladder. Later comers tied on to the ropes and dragged the vehicles. The first fire alarms were revolver shots and later, a bell in an enclosed tower on First Ave. East.
In 1900, Arthur married Jennie Stahl, who taught one of the first schools at Swam Creek near Jennings. At one time, Arthur took a bicycle trip to Fort Steele, British Columbia, but due to road conditions, walked alot of the way. Besides their home at 116 5th Avenue East, the Hollensteiner’s also had a summer home on Flathead Lake. Arthur and Jennie had three children. Arthur died in 1951 shortly after Jennie and he celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.