Holdsworth, William H.

HOLDSWORTH, ROLLS, KENT, HORN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/31/2009 at 10:25:24

Holdsworth, William H.

It is a well-authenticated fact that success is the result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the wide-awake implement dealer of Sully, Jasper County, whose name forms the introduction to this biographical review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.

William H. Holdsworth was born in Scott County, Iowa, March 23, 1858, the son of William and Hannah (Rolls) Holdsworth, the father born in Ireland and the mother in Pennsylvania. The elder Holdsworth was a stone contractor by trade. He grew up and was educated in Ireland, from which country he emigrated to America when a young man and he began working in the quarries, soon becoming a contractor and he got out stone for arsenals, bridges and various important jobs and became very well established in the new world. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. His death occurred in 1903. His family consisted of nine children, named as follows: John, Samuel, Joseph, Robert, Thomas, Mary Jane, Charles and William H., of this sketch, he being the oldest child.

William H. Holdsworth grew up in Scott County, Iowa, and attended school there, and when but a boy began working on a farm as a hand, then rented land for himself, but not taking any too kindly to the life of a husbandman, he left the farm and went to Oskaloosa and ran a bus line for six years, then, having gotten a good start, he came to Jasper County in 1891 and rented land for three or four years, then he went into the implement business at Lynnville with W. J. Breeden and they built up a good trade. In 1899, Mr. Holdsworth sold out and came to Sully and started in an implement store, which, with his son, Charles Oscar, he still runs. He started on a small scale, but by judicious management and honest dealings his business rapidly increased until he bought a large building, in connection with which he put in a garage and he handles a standard line of automobiles in connection with a large, general and well-selected stock of farming implements. His trade embraces a large territory and is ever widening. He is one of the leading merchants and businessmen in the southeastern part of the County.

Mr. Holdsworth has taken much interest in public affairs and he has held all the Township offices and the offices in the town of Sully, always discharging his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He was mayor of Sully for eight years, during which time he did much for the permanent good of the vicinity. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a leader in local affairs.

Mr. Holdsworth was married in September 1878, to Emma Kent, who was born in Ohio, from which state she came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, when very small and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. Three children have been born to this union, Mrs. Effie May Horn, Charles Oscar and Edna. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1043.