Charles Taylor Holliday was born at Bunker Hill, near Winchester, Va. on Mar. 3, 1847. His father, Colbert Holliday came to Wood County in the early 1800's with Charles Taylor's sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret, and his brother George F.. He bought lands on the waters of Worthington Creek, near Red Hill. His wife Hannah did not come to Wood County and lived until her death in 1850 at Bunker Hill, sixteen miles south of Winchester. Charles Taylor was but three years of age when his mother died and he was taken to his father's brother William's home to live. He lived with his Uncle until he was seventeen and then came to live with his older brother George F. His father's brother William had a daughter named Anna (for whom Annie Roland Holliday Bickel was named) who married a man named Cyrus McCormick, and a son named Harrison who was a preacher. During the Civil War Grandfather witnessed the ravishing of his Uncle William's home by the Confederate soldiers and viewed the battle of Bunker Hill, Va. from a barn top. He was known in his early youth as "Rough and Ready Holliday", having been given that name by his father for Zachary Taylor, President of the United States. In order to acquire such a praiseworthy name among pioneer men, he was a determined person of good physical stature and one who was willing to assume at all times any responsibility. He was a devout Christian and was one of the founders and builders of the first log church built at Red Hill and was of United Brethern Faith. His life during my association with him bore this out, for he worked diligently as a farmer, cattle raiser and fruit grower. He was a man of even temperament and loving disposition, with a soft, tender Virginia voice and a flowing white mustache and beard.
Almira Frances Gantz, his wife, was born at Fredericksburg, Va., Aug 6 1850. She was the daughter of George William Gans, who was the son of Jacob Gantz, and Elizabeth Parsons Gantz (Gans), who came from Louden County, Virginia and had been married in Frederick Co,. Virginia in 1840. They emigrated to Red Hill, Va. and purchased farms adjoining the Holliday-Gantz lands. Her brother, Cornelius lived on that old farm until his death. Almira came over the mountains in a covered wagon when she was five years old. The Gans' were of German descent.
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