My Genealogy Hound

HENRY R. HOLLAND. As early as 1846, Mr. Holland located in Watervliet and although he has not resided here continuously since that time, yet he has maintained an unceasing interest in the growth of the village and has done everything in his power to enhance its progress. He is a native of Canada, and was born near the New Hampshire line, in the village of Wickham, near Drummondville, October 18, 1821, his parents being Christopher and Mary (Burhart) Holland. The paternal grandfather, Francis Holland, followed the occupation of a farmer throughout his entire active life, and reared three children: Christopher, Mary and Rogers.

The father of our subject was born in Norfolk, England, and for many years served in the British army as Sergeant-Major of the Fourth Battalion. After retiring from service he emigrated to America, prior to the War of 1812, and settled on one hundred and thirty-five acres on the disputed territory north of New Hampshire, which he afterward learned was set over to Canada. Upon that place he resided until his death, which occurred in 1826, at the age of about fifty. He left a widow and three children: Francis, now residing in New York; Henry R.; and Rosana, Mrs. Lathrop, of Delta County, Mich. The father was a man of earnest Christian character and was a member of the Episcopal Church.

Our subject’s maternal grandfather, Henry Burhart, was born and reared in the State of New York, and was of German descent. He followed farming pursuits throughout his entire life and was called hence while residing in Canada, near the New York line, at Norton Creek. He and his wife, who was a Miss Margaret Titmore, reared the following-named children: Philip, John, Godfrey, Giles, Betsy, Mary, Katie, Hannah and Peggie. The mother of our subject was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and after the death of Mr. Holland she married again, becoming the wife of Tunis Proper, a native of Vermont. Her second union resulted in the birth of three children: Margaret, Mrs. Sutten, of Connecticut; Eva and Catherine. She came to Michigan in advanced years and resided with her children after the death of Mr. Proper. In 1891, at the ripe old age of ninety-nine, she passed away, having been active up to the time of her death.

At the age of fourteen years the subject of this sketch removed to Clinton County, N. Y., and resided there and in Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, N. Y., for several years. When seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith at Canton, N. Y., and followed that occupation for some time. In St. Lawrence County, N. Y., he was united in marriage with Miss Betsy, the daughter of Joseph and Emily (Beaman) Stoughton, natives of Franklin County, N. Y. The father of Mrs. Holland, who was a farmer, came to Berrien County in 1844 and settled in Hartford, where he sojourned temporarily. Afterward he removed to South Haven and there died. His wife departed this life in Hartford. They reared three sons and five daughters, all of whom became useful and honorable members of society. In their religious convictions they were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Upon removing West, Mr. and Mrs. Holland came to Chicago, via canal and lake, and spent two years in the Garden City of the West. In the spring of 1846 they came to Michigan and settled in Watervliet, where Mr. Holland followed his trade. In 1849, with an ox-team, he made the long and perilous journey to the golden shores of the Pacific, reaching California on September 5th of that year. He engaged in mining in that State and with success, returning home in July, 1850, via New York City, with $2,200, in his possession. In the fall of 1850 he purchased two hundred and twenty-three acres, where he now resides. This he cleared and improved, but has since disposed of some of the property, retaining one hundred and ninety-two acres.

Mrs. Betsy Holland died May 1, 1874, after having become the mother of ten children. Seven of the family still survive, namely: Henry Edward, who is now engaged in mining in Arizona; Rosana, formerly the wife of Capt. Berridge and now deceased; Emma, who married G. W. Tyler, of Illinois; Rogers, a resident of South Dakota; Fred, who is engaged in mining in Nevada; Christian F., an attorney of San Diego, Cal.; and Charles E., of Nebraska. Two children died in infancy, and William passed away in Watervliet at the age of twenty months.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Holland removed to Clinton County, Mo., where he had previously purchased a half-interest in a gristmill, and remained for eleven years. He then traded his interest in the mill for one hundred and sixty acres and made his home on the new purchase until 1881, when he returned to Michigan and has since made his home on his property in Watervliet Township. He was formerly one of the leading Democrats of the community, but now adheres to the principles of the Prohibition party, which he supports by his ballot. He has served in a number of offices, including that of Justice of the Peace. Socially, he is actively identified with the Masonic fraternity.

The second union of Mr. Holland united him with Miss Maggie J., daughter of Thomas Bell, and two children have blessed the union: Irving T. and Ella May. In their religious convictions Mr. and Mrs. Holland are in sympathy with the doctrines of the Congregational Church and are prominent members of that denomination. They are people of genuine worth of character, endowed with high capabilities and earnest and benevolent natures that endear them to all their acquaintances.