- SAMUEL HOLDREDGE, of the firm GREEN & HOLDREDGE, dealers
in leaf tobacco,
- Janesville, Wis., was born near Utica, N.Y., on the 28th
day of May, 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Lucina (HARVEY)
HOLDREDGE. His father was born in Connecticut and was descended
from an old New England family, while his mother was born in
Vermont, her ancestors being among the early New England colonists.
Her grandfather was a soldier of the War of the Revolution,
and lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and seventeen
years. He preserved his facilities and physical powers so perfectly
that at the age of one hundred and sixteen years he addressed
a meeting of 10,000 people and upwards, at New York City. When
one hundred and twelve years of age, having purchased some suburban
lots in Utica, and his residence being five miles distant, it
was custom to walk to his property, work there during the day
and walk back at night. He used to canes, but made as good time
as the average pedestrian. This remarkable gentleman was born
in America, and was of Scotch lineage.
- Samuel HOLDREDGE, the subject of this sketch, was educated
at Whitestown Academy and
- was reared on a farm. When twenty-three years of age he
began his business career as a clerk in Utica, N.Y., and was
married at Cedarville on the 6th day of July, 1851, to Mary R.
LEE, a daughter of the Rev. Stephen LEE. Mrs. HOLDREDGE was
born in Herkimer County, near Utica. In 1855, Mr. HOLDREDGE
with his family removed to Rock County, Wis., and settled in
the town of Magnolia, where he engaged in merchandising. He
also bought considerable land, which he hired, improved and worked.
He conducted in business at Magnolia until elected Treasurer
of Rock County in the fall of 1860, when he removed to Janesville
and entered upon the duties of the office in January, 1861.
His administration of the business of the office was so satisfactory
that he was twice re-elected and served in all six years. The
succeeding four years were spent in contracting and building
as a member of the firm NETTLETON, JACKS & HOLDREDGE, which
did an extensive business, and had a number of large contracts
which they carried through both Janesville and neighboring towns.
That connection continued until Mr. NETTLETON's death in 1872.
Mr. HOLDREDGE then engaged in milling in company with N. O.
CLARK, which business was carried on for two years, when he sold
out, and with M. M. CONANT engaged in the grocery trade, under
the firm name of M. M. CONANT & Co. Four years later he
bought out Mr. CONANT's interest and continued the business alone.
In 1881 he engaged in the leaf tobacco business, which he carried
on in connected with his grocery trade, but on the 1st day of
October, 1888 he sold his stock of groceries to his son Romaine
C. [HOLDREDGE] and Edwin C. BAILEY, who carried on the business
under the firm name of HOLDREDGE & BAILEY until February,
1889, when the son sold out to Mr. BAILEY and joined his father
in the leaf tobacco business. This firms annual sales amount
to from $75,000 to $100,000.
- Mr. and Mrs. HOLDREGE are the parents of five children, three
of whom are living. Burrell L.,
- the eldest, died aged two and a half years; Mary C. died
aged two years; Minnie J., wife of S. B. BUCKMASTER, the present
superintendent of the Madison Insane Asylum, is a graduate of
the Boston School of Oratory, and was elected to the chair of
elocution and oratory in Lawrence University, of Appleton, Wis.,
in 1879; Romaine C. is now associated with his father and Mr.
GREEN in the leaf tobacco business; Ada A. is the wife of Harry
S. ASH, general agent of the Nonotuck Silk Company, and is located
at St. Paul, Minn.
- Mr. and Mrs. HOLDREDGE are members of the Court street Methodist
Episcopal church of
- Janesville, of which he was one of the founders. He is a
Republican in politics, and has been identified officially with
the educational interests of the city, having served four years
as a member of the Board of Education, two of which he was President.
He also represented his ward two years in the City Council,
and has served six years as County Treasurer. He is a member
of Badger Council, No. 223, Royal Arcanum, of Janesville.
- Mr. HOLDREDGE has been a resident of Rock County for more
than thirty-four years, nearly
- thirty of which have been passed in the city of Janesville.
In his official business relations with his fellow citizens
he has always proved competent and faithful to every duty, while
in the line of private business he is known as an enterprising,
reliable man, who possesses good business qualifications and
unquestioned integrity. He is an unassuming, earnest man, well
informed, genial and courteous in manner, and enjoys in the fullest
degree the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 518-519.
-
- Courtesy of Jan
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