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Facts and Events
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 Drake 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.
Submitted by: Lora
References
- ↑ B. F. Bowden. Compendium of Biography of Henry County, Indiana, 1920.
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