History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 103

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434

USA > Michigan > Kent County > History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 103

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Hon. E. G. D. Holden was born in Kirkland, Cuyahoga Co., O., Feb. 18, 1834; is son of Josiah Rhodes and Joanna Reed (Dan- forth) Holden, natives of New Hampshire, married Jan. 24, 1824.

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He comes of a long line of illustrious ancestry, whose descending generations have been traced by Frederick A. Holden, Secretary of the Holden Historical Society at Washington, through a period of nearly three centuries. Among other names of honorable dis- tinction are those of Samuel Holden, President of the Bank of England, the founder of Holden Chapel at Harvard University in 1744, and Oliver Holden, of Charlestown, Mass., the author of the hymn, "Coronation." Richard, Justinian and Randall Holden reached America respectively in the years 1609, 1611 and 1612- traditionally, refugee Puritans from the Tower of London, from whom descended the Holdens of the New World. Mr. Holden traces his line of descent direct to John Holden, born in 1692, and married to Sarah Davis in November, 1715. His maternal record dates to 1718 to James Gregg, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, who emigrated to the north of Ireland in 1690; he was grandfather of Col. Ebenezer Gregg, of Revolutionary fame, and great uncle of Mr. Holden's mother. A few months after his birth, his parents settled near Joliet, Will Co., Ill., and three years later at Mooresville, near New Albany, Ind. In 1845 they located 12 miles from this city, in Kent county, at a period when log cabins were the abodes of content, and necessity instigated and di- rected the ambitions that have carved such splendid records for the pioneers of Kent county in all avenues of life. Mr. Holden made no fatal mistake at the outset of his career. Preparation for an honorable and profitable future was the lesson he learned from his surroundings, and he delayed for no example, sought no aid from others in those days when his own pressing needs was every man's spur to exertion. He made study the alternate of every effort. He worked through the day and studied by the light of blazing pine knots at night. In 1847 a school was established at Byron, and he distanced the teachers; he gathered his small possessions together and went to Grand Rapids on foot in the fall of 1851, to find a place to work for his board and go to school; failed and walked home to sleep; tried again next day and was successful. In 1852 he learned a trade, in every effort he made never separating the ideas of work and study. The next winter he attended the Union School, taught by Rev. James Ballard, and celebrated his 19th birthday by the delivery of the class valedictory. It was his first oratorical effort, but he made it great with earnest and honest purpose. In May, 1853, he entered Plainfield (Ill.) Academy, and staid while his money lasted. In the fall of that year he entered Knox College, at Galesburg, having $25 in money and expecting to aid himself through by his trade. Over-exertion and watching 10 successive nights by the sick bed of a companion prostrated him, and at the end of three months he found himself with little left but a frail tenure of life, an accumulation of debt and an am- bition that never faltered. With returning strength he resumed work, and in December, 1855, came to Grand Rapids with $150 in gold. He was offered a position as teacher, and, believing himself

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able to make his way without collegiate honors, he began teaching and the study of law, and again alternated work with study, going to and from his engagements with a law book under his arm. He was admitted to the bar March 5, 1859. In 1862 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Kent county, and re-elected in 1864. From 1870 to 1876 he was Chairman of the Kent County Repub- lican Committee, and in 1874 was nominated for Secretary of State. by acclamation, an unprecedented honor to a candidate on his first presentation. His majority was 8,552. He was renominated by acclamation in 1876, and re-elected by a majority of 25,411. The career of Mr. Holden is worthy of consideration, not merely from the stand-point of his matchless success, but from its method and purpose. Everything he has done is the direct result of sys- tematized effort. Step by step has been his undeviatingplan. He has been known for 25 years asa political organizer and "stump" speaker ; he has identified himself with every prominent and popular move- ment; has given his voice and influence to temperance and against every form of wrong and corruption. He was incapacitated for active military service, but was at the front with voice, pen, purse and strength, to aid where he best might; so far as can be ascertained he was the first to offer private personal bounty to a soldier. In the public official service of Mr. Holden he has made most honorable record. He was the youngest Prosecuting Attorney ever elected in Kent county, and he has never been surpassed in efficiency. As Secretary of State his labors proved of incalculable benefit. He reconstructed the entire mechanical routine of operation, system- atized every branch of labor, regulated and reduced the clerical force to the actual number required, brought up the arrearages and secured the regular accomplishment of the duties of the de- partment. By virtue of his office he was a member of the Board of State Auditors, and was twice elected its Chairman; he was also a member of six other State boards and Secretary of two or three; has been Trustee and Director of the West Side Union School, and has contributed his share of energy and skill to the furtherance of all educational projects within his sphere. He is still an ardent student; has a fine library, with which he is thoroughly conversant; he has an enviable literary repute, both as contributor to public journals and as editorial manager of a peri- odical published by the business house of which he is senior mem- ber. He is a prominent member and official of the Order of Odd Fellows, and has devoted his abilities largely to its advancement in Michigan. In May, 1860, he connected insurance with law business, and in 1866 had acquired a reputation as underwriter, which secured for him a lucrative position as General Agent of one of the largest insurance companies of New York, which he held seven years. In company with Sterne T. Aspinwall, he man- ages one of the most successful insurance firms in Grand Rapids. Mr. Holden was married Aug. 24, 1858, in Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., to Melissa E., daughter of Samuel and Mary Smith, natives

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

of Massachusetts. They have one daughter and two sons. Mr. Holden is a splendid specimen of manly, physical development; with the exception named, he has never known illness, and at 47 is at the prime of bodily and intellectual vigor. A portrait of Mr. Holden is given in this volume.

H. S. Holden, M. D., was born at Reading, N. Y., July 6, 1847; is son of Chas. M. and Sarah (Skiff) Holden. He was reared on a farm, and in 1863 became a student at Starkey Seminary, Eddy- town, N. Y., remaining till 1865. The next year he began teach- ing and at the same time read medicine. In '68 and '69 he took his first course of lectures at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and graduated from that institution in 1871. In May of the same year he commenced practice at Pierson, Mich., and in 1875 located at Grand Rapids. Dr. Holden is a member of the Odd Fellows' Order, and Sept. 15, 1880, was elected Grand Assistant Counselor of the Order of Chosen Friends of the State of Michigan; has served a term as County Coroner. He was President of the vil- lage of Pierson in 1874 and village Assessor in '75. He was married in 1870, in Courtland, Kent Co., to Sarah A., daughter of Lyman Smith. They have one daughter. Office 55 Canal St.

Harvey J. Hollister, Cashier First National Bank, Grand Rap- ids, was born at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., Aug. 30, 1830. His father, John H. Hollister, was a Colonel in the war of 1812; came to Michigan in 1825, and assisted in organizing the Territorial Government. In connection with Gen. Burt, he surveyed large tracts of land in Michigan. His mother, Mary (Chamberlain) Hollister, was the oldest child .of her parents, originally of Berk- shire Co., Mass. Still living, about 84 years old, she is a woman remarkable for vigor of character, kindness. of disposition, and strength and fervor of religious faith. Mr. Hollister spent his early life assisting his widowed mother on the farm, attending the school during the winter season. In 1847-'8 he taught school near Romeo; and in the spring of the latter year was employed as an apprentice to a druggist, at Pontiac, Oakland Co. He remained there two years, receiving for his labor $30, and board and lodging the first year, and for the second year $70 more. In May, 1850, he came to Grand Rapids, and for one year was employed as a clerk in the dry-goods store of W. H. McCon- nell. He then had charge of the drug store of W. G. Henry, known as the " old Faneuil Hall" drug store, remaining in that position one year. He was subsequently employed as clerk in the dry-goods store of John Kendall, and in 1853 entered the banking house of Daniel Ball & Co., taking the position of chief clerk, and in full charge of the business. He remained with the firm five years, his salary increasing from $600 the first year to $1,500 for the last. In 1858 he entered into partnership with Mr. Ball, in the banking business, the firm having two other houses-at Ionia and Lyons. In October, 1861, the firm went into liquidation, and Mr. Hollister was then engaged in the banking business with Martin L. Sweet, until March, 1864. At

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Kamy

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the latter date, the First National Bank Company was organized, and Mr. Hollister accepted the position of Cashier, which he has ably and faithfully filled to the present time. He is a stockholder and director of the bank; owns large interests in the Michigan Barrel Company; the Grand Rapids Chair Company; is treasurer of the Grand Rapids Manufacturing Company; is a director and stockholder of the South Division Street Railway Company, and owns mining interests in the West. Mr. Hollister is a strong Re- publican, but has eschewed politics and political favors and patron- age. He is a member of the Congregational Church; has been variously connected with its Sabbath-school for many years, and a large part of the time as its Superintendent; during this period, he has also been Secretary and Treasurer of the Congregational Society of Grand Rapids. Mr. Hollister was married June 6, 1855, to Martha, daughter of Col. George C. Clay, of Deerfield, Mass. They have four children by this union-one daughter and three sons. Mr. Hollister is a thorough banker,-being master of the business in theory and practice. In his knowledge of the banking system, he takes no second place. His ready and clear comprehension of all business operations and engagements, con- tingent or dependent upon the aid afforded by banks, has won for him the entire confidence of his banking associates. In dispo- sition, he is gentlemanly and amiable, thus winning friends, and, by his sincerity of behavior, continuing to hold them. A self- made man, he has, by habits of frugality and industry, sound busi- ness qualifications and decision of character, coupled with an unswerving desire to do right, risen from obscurity as a youth to eminence in manhood, and, while yet in his prime, takes position `among the first business men of his native State. We present Mr. Hollister's portrait elsewhere in this work.

E. S. Holmes, D. D. S., was born July 15, 1819, at Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y. ; is son of Daniel and Sally (Taylor) Holmes, natives of Saratoga Co., N. Y. In 1835 Dr. Holmes was sent to Oberlin College and two years later entered Lodi Academy at Syracuse. In 1840 he studied dentistry with L. L. J. Provost, and the next year began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Whaley, of Medina, N. Y., continuing three years. He practiced one year in Medina and then went to Lockport and entered the office of O. W. May, M. D., who was then giving his attention exclusively to dentistry. He remained a year, and in 1845 or '6 set out for Grand Rapids by stage through Canada. He proceeded as far as Hamilton and returned to Lockport to form a co-partner- ship with Dr. May. This relation continued several years, until the latter left Lockport, and Dr. Holmes operated alone until 1856, when he associated with L. D. Walter and joined offices at the location of the latter, an unfortunate arrangement, as they were burned out shortly after with serious loss, and they resumed busi- ness at the stand erected by Dr. Holmes. In the course of two or three years an ocular difficulty compelled him to relinquish his business and he returned to his native place, where he was appointed

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Postmaster under President Lincoln, which post he resigned in 1865 and came to Grand Rapids. He was married Nov. 16, 1852, at Lockport, N. Y., to Orianna E. Robbins, daughter of Samson Robbins, of that city. They have one daughter-Jennie. W. Their only son-Frederick Robbins, died April 20, 1864, aged ten years and six months. Dr. Holmes occupies a position among the leading dentists of Grand Rapids ; his natural traits of character secure him an abiding place with all who meet him; his easy, genial cordiality and frank sincerity make him a desirable and much-sought companion. He is President of the Kent County Sportsmen's Club and of the Michigan Sportsmen's Association: has been chief official of both since their organization except one year. Of the latter society he is really the originator, as at his suggestion the Audubon Club, of Detroit, called a convention of the sportsmen of the State, which resulted in the organization of the Michigan Sportsmen's Association. He is a mem- ber of the Kent Scientific Institute, a life member of the Pomological Society and of the Central Fish Cultural Society, an association of the Central States. He belongs also to the Michigan Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Holmes' portrait is given in this work.

Frank G. Holmes was born in Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., Nov. 18, 1842; his father, Charles D. Holmes, was a native of Massachu- setts, and came to Calhoun county in 1831; was a pioneer and identified with the public interests of the county and tp. of Albion; was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1867; was Register of Deeds in the years '76, '77 and '78 and was Super- visor of Albion 20 years. Mr. Holmes, of this sketch, obtained his rudimentary education at the common schools and entered Albion College in the fall of 1855. In 1860 he went to California, en- gaged in business, and returned in '63. He studied one year at Albion College and then entered the law department at the Uni- versity of Michigan. A year later he was admitted to the Calhoun county bar at Marshall (in 1866), and practiced there until 1875. He was married Jan. 1, 1869, to Dorcas A. Woolsey, of Albion. They have two children-Glen and Clyde. Mr. Holmes belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows.

Hon. John T. Holmes was born at Carlisle, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1815; is son of Daniel and Sally (Taylor) Holmes, natives of Saratoga Co., N. Y. His father was deacon of the Presby- terian Church in Niagara Co., N. Y., 40 years. His mother was a daughter of Hon. John Taylor, Judge in Saratoga county many years, and sister of Hon. John W. Taylor, Representative in Con- gress from the Saratoga district 11 consecutive sessions and Speaker of the House during the XVIth and XIXth Congresses. Judge H. studied during early youth in Niagara county, and later at a select school at Cherry Valley, where his father placed him with the intention of fitting him to enter upon a theological course of study. Not being disposed to the ministerial calling he was withdrawn from school and assigned to farm work, and at intervals to other

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occupations, which absorbed his time until he reached his major- ity. He was married at Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., March 31, 1836, to Mary Ann, daughter of Nathan Pratt, a Revolutionary soldier. He with his wife left Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., for the West in May, and June 1, 1837, arrived at Detroit, and the follow- ing December visited Grand Rapids, and Feb. 14, 1838, located here. His first employment was in a mercantile house, and a year later he opened business in company with Mr. Henry, under the style of Henry & Holmes. They managed a prosperous business about three years, during which time Mr. Holmes commenced the reading of law. He sold out to his partner and entered the law office of Bridge & Calkins, and was admitted to the bar May 17, 1843. On the death of Mr. Bridge Mr. Holmes associated with Mr. C. P. Calkins, of the former firm. Judge Holmes's extensive practice in the various courts throughout the State gave him a wide-spread reputation, as an unremitting and successful lawyer and sound counselor, and they had many cases at every session of

the Circuit Court during that period. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1845 but resigned after the third year. In 1852 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and re-elected in 1854. In 1860 he was the Democratic nominee for State Senator, and in 1862 was nomi- nated on the Union Democratic ticket for Attorney General. On the organization of the Superior Court of Grand Rapids he was elected Judge, and continued to preside until May, 1881, retiring from the bench after faithful and honorable service for over six years. Just as he was about to have adjourned the court after the journal for the day had been read, Hon. Thomas B. Church craved the attention of his Honor for a few moments, and desired, in the name of the bar of Grand Rapids, that suitable resolutions expressing the feelings of the bar toward his Honor be entered in full upon the journal as a part of the records of the court. He expressed for himself and his fellow members great satisfaction in the offi- cial labors of his Honor, in his eminent courtesy, kindliness, impartiality and integrity, and then called upon Mr. W. W. Hyde to read the resolutions that had been prepared, which were very complimentary to his Honor. Mr. W. W. Taylor, in seconding the motion, spoke of the esteem and admiration in which Judge Holmes is held by all who know him, and especially the bar, which had practiced before him.

Judge Holmes is a large, square-built, fine-looking man. He is about the medium height of men, has broad shoulders, a full chest, is of a fine mold, and a splendid specimen, physically, of a perfect manhood. His head is of good size, forehead broad and rather high, nose not large, though of fair proportion and fine mold, cheeks full, fresh and indicative of good health and a relish for the good things of this world. He is strictly a temperate man. He has presided with a dignity becoming the position, and the ability and impartiality of his decisions are generally acknowledged. He is a gentleman of the old school, affable and courteous, genial and cor-

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dial, possessing the faculty of placing his social companions at ease, and always maintaining his own individuality. Judge Holmes has three living children and has buried three. The eldest daughter, Marietta, is now Mrs. Leonard C. Remington; Lizzie, a second daughter, is at home, and the only son, John T. Holmes, jr., is a salesman in a commercial house in this city.

John Hormuth, junior member of the firm of F. J. Sokup & Co., . tin and cornice makers, was born in Bavaria, July 29, 1849. When three years of age he accompanied his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was reared and educated. Upon attaining his majority he learned the tin and cornice maker's trade, and carried on busi- ness at Chicago, Ill., for a year and a half after the great fire of 1871. Mr. Hormuth came to Grand Rapids in 1873, and in that year formed a co-partnership with F. J. Sokup, in his present business, a sketch of which will be found in another chapter. Mr. Hormuth is a member of the Workingmen's Aid Society, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (W. S.), and is connected, politi- cally, with the Democratic party. Since coming to Grand Rapids, he has given his entire time and attention to the business of the firm, and the unbounded success which they have achieved is due in a great measure to the subject of this sketch. He was married Tan. S, 1878, to Mary Richter, a native of Grand Rapids. They have two children-Mary and Amelia.

Erastus J. Horton was born at Waterford, Oakland Co., Mich., Sept. 15, 1836; is son of Caleb B. and Jane (Van Blaircum) Hor- ton; the former born in Long Island, N. Y., the latter at Newark, N. J. He was brought up on a farm and was engaged in farming and carpentry until 1858, when he removed to Ingham county, going to Fowlerville, Livingston Co., a short time after, where he engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1860. Then he went to Brighton and rented a hotel one year; afterward engaged as clerk with J. B. Lee till Aug. 7, 1862, when he en- listed as Sergeant of Co. A, 6th Reg., Mich. Cav. and was dis- charged six months after for disability, and engaged in the sutler's department. In 1864 he left the army and came to this city; entered the employ of Remington & Withey, dry-goods merchants, until Aug. 14, 1865, when he embarked in the retail grocery busi- ness on the corner of Ottawa and Monroe sts. Firm style, Horton & Roberts, changed within a year to Horton & McNaughton. At the end of two years the establishment was transferred to the cor .. ner of Ionia and Monroe sts., and known as Horton & Miller. Two and a half years after he bought his partner's interest and contin- ued alone six months. In January, 1872, he formed an association with John R. Stewart. In April, 1878, they removed to their pres- ent stand, 120 Monroe st., where they earry a full line of grocer- ies and provisions worth about $5,000; their annual aggregate transactions amount to $45,000. He was married Oct. 31, 1863, in Hartland, Oakland Co., to Annah L., daughter of Joseph and Jane Grant, born at Erie City, Pa., June 10, 1840.

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Mr. Horton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Y. M. C. A., in which he has been specially active. He and his wife belong to the Park Congregational Church. He owns, in conjunc- tion with H. D. Brown and Cyrus Clark, a large three-story block 66 feet frontage by 110 deep. It is occupied on the ground by Fox, Musselman & Loveridge, and J. D. Clark & Co., wholesale grocers; the McIntyre & Goodsell Piano Mfg. Co. occupy the second story.

J. B. Hosken, M. D., second son of Henry and Elizabeth Hosken, born of English parentage, in Cobourg, Ontario, Nov. 21, 1850. He received his early education in Cobourg, where he fitted himself for Victoria College; but before entering, at the solicitation of his brother-in-law, E. Maunder, he came to this city, at the age of 17, and engaged with Mr. M. in building. On June 21, 1871, he fell from a building, and a large stone, falling · upon him, produced an intercapsular fracture of the left hip joint, which resulted in slight permanent lameness. On recovering from this injury he engaged in the study of medicine with Prof. A. B. Palmer of Ann Arbor, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine. and of Pathology in the University of Michigan. In 1872 he entered the University of Michigan and graduated from that institution March 25, 1875. For about two years he practiced his profession in this city (part of the time with Dr. Wm. H. De- Camp) and then went to New York city and spent six months in the hospital, attending medical lectures, and at the same time assisting Dr. A. S. Hanter, an eminent author and inventor, in his night practice. From New York he returned to Grand Rapids and has been engaged in practice in this city ever since. In 1875 he was admitted to the Grand Rapids Medical Society, and for the last three official terms of that body he has been elected unanimously to the office of recording secretary. The Doctor is gen- erally respected among his professional brethren, and at present enjoys a large and constantly growing consultation practice. In 1879 he married Miss Elsie D. Barclay, daughter of Chas. Barclay, a very beautiful, lovely and talented girl, and one much sought after for her fine capabilities as an elocutionist and sopranist.

Joseph Houseman, firm of Houseman & May, was born at Zeck- endorf, Kingdom Bavaria, in Germany, Feb. 13, 1832, where he was reared and educated until he reached his majority. Mayer Houseman, his father, was a cloth manufacturer, and he learned the same trade. In 1853 he came to America, landed in New York and went at once to Battle Creek, Mich., and engaged as a salesman in a clothing house. In 1857 he came to Grand Rapids and formed a co-partnership with his cousin, Julius Houseman. He was married to Henrietta Rose, of Grand Rapids, in 1858; two sons and one daughter are their living issue. In 1865 he opened a branch store in Savannah, Ga .; after remaining there until 1868 removed to Baltimore, Md., and in 1872 returned. The firm of Houseman & May originated by Julius Houseman starting a

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History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 103

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1434

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434