Person:John Holtslander (2)

Portrait and biographical record of Genessee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies.......Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1892. 1040 pages. [found on Heritage Quest website.]

section 22, Clayton Township, Gennessee Co., Michigan - picture in book of his residence.p 700

pg 698. John Holtslander. This venerable, yet active farmer whose property lies in clayton Townshipo, Genessee County, is a natie of Mt. Morris, Livington County, NY where he was born August 29, 1809. He is a son of Adam and elizabeth (Scicia) Holtslander, both of whom were natives of Orange county, NY. The father was a famer and came to Michgan about the year 1841, settling in Mt. Morris Township, this county, and here engaged in farming. He bought land which was then entirely untouched and after clearing it and putting it in condition for cultivation, he sold and bought again in Mundy township, this county, and there remained until he was called hence by death. Twelve children gathered about his pioneer home and six of them are now living, namely: Henry, Adam, James, John, elizabeth, and ann. Both parents were earnestly active in Christian work, being members of the Methodist church, and Adam Holtslander was in his political views a democrat. the subject of this sketch received his education in Mt. Morris, NY and had the usual training of a farmer's boyl, remaining at home until he was 24 years of age, after which he engaged extensively in farming in Mt. Morris. He came to Michigan about the year 1860, settling on the coldwater Road in Mt. Morris township, the county, where he carried on farming on a large scale. He kept a flock of one thousand sheep and a large number of cattle, selling sometimes as much as $1,300 worth of cattle at a time. John Holtslander came to the place where he now resides in 1880, and for the last thirty years has engage extenisvely inbuying and selling cattle. He is well known throughout all this region, and has always been a business man, closely associated with bruiness men. His home, a view of which appears in this volume, is beautiful and well furnished, and the best live stock is to be found upon his farm. He is called one of the best farmers in Clayton Township, and his home farm consists of 120 acres while he has other valuable land in Saginaw county. He always deposits what money he does not need for immediate use in the banks and has assisted a number of Eastern banks to start. Our subject was married in 1833 to Miss Adeline, daughter of Nicholas Holtslander. She was born in Orange county, NY and lived with her husband in harmony and domestic happiness for 57 years. Her death proved in this home an irreparable loss. two children now survive, Sarah and James. The latter married Gertrude Mirtenis,daugter of the Rev Stephen and Mary (Holtslander) Mirtenis, and four children have gathered about hte fireside, namely: Lille, Lula, May and Nellie. The subject ofthis sketc is a Democrat in his political views and has held the office of superintendent of the Poor as well as other positions of trust and responsibility. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as are also all his family. He united with the church in 1833 and has ever since been a consistent member, serving as Class-:eader and holding other official positions. Social life is his delight and no one is turned un- [follows on page 701)