OHDARKE-L Archives

From: Lora <> (by way of Wally Garchow <>)
Subject: [DARKE] Biography of Charles H. Holaday
Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 18:52:26 -0800

Posted at: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Oh/DarkeBios/10

Surname: Holaday, Harvey, Pierce, Covalt, Smith
-------------------------

Compendium of Biography
Of
Henry County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen 1920

Surname: Holaday, Harvey, Pierce, Covalt, Smith

CHARLES H. HOLADAY

The subject of this sketch is a worthy representative of one of the oldest
families of Henry County, the name Holaday having been closely interwoven
with the history and development of this section of the state for over
three-quarters of a century. The Holaday's are of English origin, the remote
ancestors of the American branch of the family having settled in North
Carolina in the time of the colonies. As early as 1826 the subject's paternal
grandfather moved from that state to Henry County, Indiana, and entered
a tract of land in what is now Liberty Township where he cleared a farm.
He was one of the earliest pioneers of this section and a man of great
industry and energy and withal of excellent moral character. After having
some years in Liberty Township he disposed of his original place and bought
a farm in the Township of Blue River, on which he lived until his death
at the age of eighty-four. He was twice married and appears to have literally
carried out the Master's injunction to multiply and replenish the earth,
as he became the father of twenty-three children, nearly all of whom grew
to mature years and became useful in their respective spheres of life.
Andrew Holaday, father of the subject, was about one and a half years old
when brought by his parents to Henry County. He was reared on the farm
in Liberty Township, received his education in the early subscription schools
and for a number of years was one of Henry County's successful teachers.
Later he became a farmer and so continued to the end of his days. Andrew
Holaday was twice married, the first time to a Miss Harvey, who bore him
five children. His second companion, who also became the mother of four
children, was Miss Mahala Pierce, a sister of Alvin E. and W. D. Pierce,
of this county. The oldest son by this wife is Lewis, a well-known minister
of the Christian church living in Sullivan County, this state; Charles
H., of this review, is the second in order of birth, after whom comes Orlo,
a resident of Delaware county, and Otto, the youngest, also lives in the
County of Delaware. Charles H. Holaday was born in Blue River Township,
Henry County, Indiana, on the 15th day of May 1868. When he was six years
old his mother moved to Henry Township, his father having died in Blue
River Township April 17, 1874. When he was thirteen years of age the family
moved to the township of Liberty where he grew to manhood and where his
life has been spent to the present time. His educational training embraced
the branches taught in the common schools and at the age of seventeen he
began earning money for himself by working as a farm hand at monthly wages.
Mr. Holaday, on the 14th day of August 1885, was joined in wedlock to Miss
Eliza A. Covalt, a daughter of Chmire and Mary A. (Smith) Covalt, the parent's
natives of Darke County, Ohio, but residents of Henry County at the above
date. After his marriage he rented a farm and for a period of three years
carried on agricultural pursuits, in that way meeting with encouraging
success the meanwhile. At the expiration of the above time he purchased
a farm in Liberty township on which he lived until March, 1901, when he
sold the place at a good figure and bought his present home, formerly known
as the old Paul farm. Mr. Holaday has made many substantial improvements
on his place and is accounted one of the representative agriculturists
of the township in which he lives. He possesses good judgment and tact
in the management of this affair and is a young man of splendid business
capacity, well fitted for the enviable position he occupies in the community.
Politically he votes the Republican ticket and while taking an active interest
in public affairs and keeping himself well informed upon the questions
of the day, is not what is usually termed a politician. He is a firm believer
in revealed religion and since 1899 has had charge of the church of God
at Chicago Corners, as its regular elder. He has been preaching for some
years and is a sound reasoner, clear and concise in his exposition of holy
writ and at times rises to heights of eloquence in his pleas to men to
forsake their sins and accept the pure, simple terms of the gospel. He
also ministers to a congregation in Grant County, where his labors have
been very effective in strengthening his brethren numerically and spiritually
and in winning souls to the higher life. Mr. Holaday is a sincere Christian
in all the term implies, his daily life and conversation, as well as his
public ministry of the Word, being a potent factor in awakening and keeping
alive an interest in sacred things among the people with whom he mingles.
His life has been fruitful of much good and, judging by the past; it is
safe to predict for him a larger field of usefulness to come. Mr. and Mrs.
Holaday have an interesting family of three children whose names and dates
of birth are as follows: Perry L., April 30, 1888; Otto C., October 20,
1890, and Clarence, who was born on the 8th day of March, 1893.

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