The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 735 THEODORE THOMAS HOLLEN. Theodore Thomas Hollen, better known among his friends -- who are legion -- as "Ted" Hollen, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1882, a son of Joseph and Harriett (Thomas) Hollen, the former a native of Wales, while the latter was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. The father became a very prominent and influential citizen of Erie, Pennsylvania, where he was a large property owner and where he exerted marked influence over public thought and action, especially in connection with political affairs. He was an active democrat and served as mayor of the city, to which he gave a businesslike and progressive administration resulting greatly to the benefit of the municipality. He passed away in Pennsylvania and is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home in Erie. At the usual age "Ted" Hollen became a pupil in the public schools of Erie and afterward was graduated from Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York, completing an electrical engineering course with the graduating class of 1903. He then entered the employ of the General Electric Company of New York city and later was associated with the Western Electric Company. At a subsequent period he became connected with the Allis Chalmers Company and supervised the installation of electrical works on the battleship Connecticut. He afterward traveled all over the United States and to various other parts of the world, following electrical engineering in connection with various firms. In 1905 he arrived in Seattle, Washington, and subsequently spent some time in other cities of this state. He entered the employ of the Pacific Power & Light Company and by that corporation was sent to Yakima to install the first tungsten lights in 1907. In 1909 he purchased thirteen acres of land on the Nachos and another ranch on the Tieton but lost both properties. Later he became manager of warehouses for the Yakima Fruit Growers' Association and in 1918, in partnership with Semen Van Vliet, he purchased fifty-five acres of land, of which thirty-five acres is planted to apples, pears, peaches and prunes. The balance is devoted to the raising of hay and corn. He also raises cattle, making a specialty of pure-Blooded Guernseys, and he likewise keeps some high-grade hogs. The various branches of his business are being profitably conducted and he has thus become an active factor in connection with the development of the ranching interests of Yakima county. On the 17th of February, 1912, Mr. Hollen was married to Miss Frances M. Van Vliet, a daughter of Semen Van Vliet, and they now have one child, Theodore Thomas, Jr., who was born February 14, 1913, and who won second prize at the baby show at the State Fair when eight months old. Mr. and Mrs. Hollen are both widely and favorably known in this section and occupy an enviable position in social circles, the hospitality of the best homes of the locality being cordially extended them. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.