John J. Hollenstein, Sr., born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, in 1842, married Dominica Zuest and emigrated to the United States in 1869. In 1873, they settled in Mayville. In 1876, he purchased a portion of the property, built the front section of the house, and started his wagon and carriage factory, John Hollenstein Mfg. In 1888, he began the first of several additions to the factory and the house. He operated the business until 1908, when his son, John, Jr., bought it and ran it until his retirement in 1941.