HOLDREN, William A.

HOLDREN, MCCOY, WILDER, KING, TRIMBLE, STEVENS, SIVEY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/5/2014 at 15:12:39

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 438-39. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ WILLIAM A. HOLDREN

A man of integrity and worth, William A. Holdren, of Mason City, holds a position of prominence among the county officials, as sheriff of Cerro Gordo county performing the duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and most acceptably to the people. A son of the late David Holdren, he was born March 1, 1868, in Lee county, Illinois. David Holdren was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and there learned the cabinet maker's trade. Migrating to Illinois in early manhood, he worked for awhile in Chicago, from there going in 1861 to Compton, Lee county, Illinois, where he remained until his death, in 1889, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucretia McCoy, was born in Michigan seventy-nine years ago, and is now living in Princeton, Illinois. Six children were bom to them, five of whom survive, as follows: Margaret, wife of Jesse Wilder, of Aurora, Illinois; Alice, wife of T. L. King, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Hattie, wife of Thomas Trimble, of Princeton, Illinois; William A., the subject of this sketch; and Caroline M., of Mason City.

Brought up in Compton, Illinois, William A. Holdren received a practical high school education in that village. Coming to Iowa after his marriage, he located in Pleasant Valley township, Cerro Gordo county, where for two years he had charge of his father's farm. Retiring from agricultural labors, he was subsequently engaged in the grain and coal business at Thornton for six years. Selling out, Mr. Holdren conducted a restaurant there for a short time, after which he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which he continued until 1903. Elected sheriff of Cerro Gordo county in that year, Mr. Holdren has served continuously since, having been twice re-elected to this office. Previously, while living in Thornton, he filled various public offices, having served as marshal, constable and as a justice of the peace.

Identified with various beneficial organizations, Mr. Holdren's name is well known in lodge rooms, where he is ever a welcome guest. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., Granite Lodge, No. 557 of Thornton. Iowa; No. 224, I. 0. 0. F.; of Mason City Lodge, No. 375, B. P. O. B.; of Midland Lodge, No. 226, M. B. A.; and of Wilcox Camp No. 709, M. W. A.

Mr. Holdren married, May 25, 1887, Etta R. Stevens, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, in September, 1864, a daughter of Henry and Mary J. (Sivey) Stevens. Her father died in Lee county, Illinois, in 1892, aged sixty-five years, and her mother, now seventy years old, makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Holdren. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Holdren has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely: Virgil L., of Sheffield, Iowa; Homer H.; Wilbur and Ada M. Mrs. Holdren is a most estimable woman, highly esteemed as a neighbor and a friend, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014