Bennington

HOLDEN, John Stedman

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 201

John Stedman HOLDEN, of Bennington [Bennington County, Vermont], was born 09 
May 1845 in Charlton [Worcester County], Massachusetts, son of Lewis and 
Eliza A. (HOWLET) HOLDEN. ["HOWLET" is likely a text typo for "HOWLETT," and 
"Stedman" may be "Steadman."] The subject was educated in the public schools 
of Charlton, but was sent to Nichols Academy at Dudley [Worcester County, 
State] when sixteen years of age; and afterwards entered upon a course of 
study at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham [Hampden County], Massachusetts, and 
finally graduated from Poughkeepsie Business College [Dutchess County, New 
York]. His business experience has been widely varied. When nineteen he was 
employed as a clerk in Hartford [Hartford County], Connecticut, and for two 
years engaged in the roofing business in that city; he next served three 
years on the police force of Hartford. Abandoning this occupation in 1871, 
he entered into a copartnership with his brother [Henry Parker HOLDEN?] to 
trade in general merchandise at Palmer [Hampden County], Massachusetts, under 
the firm name of H. P. and J. S. Holden, and while here they established two 
branch stores. This connection was dissolved in 1879, when John Stedman 
HOLDEN established himself in the oil business at Miller's Farm, near 
Titusville [Crawford County], Pennsylvania, where he purchased the Crystal 
Oil Works and manufactured refined oil, but in 1880 sold this property to 
Standard Oil Company, and then for two years did a wholesale trade in this 
article.

Mr. HOLDEN then erected woolen mills at Palmer [Hampden County], 
Massachusetts, which he operated until 1889, when he sold the establishment, 
bought the Hunt & Tillinghast woolen mills at Bennington, and entered into 
partnership with Charles W. and George F. LEONARD under the firm name of 
Holden, Leonard & Company. Here they employ about three hundred hands during 
all the year in the manufacture of woolens; in connection with this they have 
a large store. Mr. HOLDEN has large interests in tenement house property in 
Palmer, Massachusetts, and is president of a wire company in that town. Is a 
director in the Bennington County National Bank and its vice president. 
Member of Congregational church; an ardent supporter of Bennington Young 
Men's Christian Association; belongs to Republican party; was chairman of 
that organization in Palmer; is trustee of village of Bennington, a thorough 
protectionist, and though interested in politics, has no desire for official 
positions. On 21 October 1868 he [John Stedman HOLDEN] married Jennie G., 
daughter of Cyrus and Almira (BURR) GOODELL, of Hartford [Hartford County], 
Connecticut. Five children have been born to them: Arthur J. (born about 
1870), Alice A. (born about 1872), Lula J. (born about 1874), Florence E. 
(born about 1876), and Clarence L. [Approximate ages of children per the 
1880 census enumeration of the John S. HOLDEN family in Palmer, Hampden 
County, Massachusetts. In this enumeration, John S., oil dealer, is 
thirty-five, thus born about 1845, which agrees with the year given in the 
biography. Among others in the household is John's mother-in-law, Mrs. Almira 
(BURR) GOODELL, aged seventy-three, born in Connecticut, about 1807.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly