HOLDEN, Henry Seymour
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 607-608

Henry Seymour HOLDEN, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and for many years 
an influential citizen of WI, is now passing the last years of his life in 
Fairfield Township, Sauk County. He was born in Kingville, Ashtabula County, 
OH, 13 Jan 1826, and is a son of Ambrose and Sylvia (DUNTON) HOLDEN, both 
native to the soil of VT. Ambrose HOLDEN came of a large family in VT, and 
soon after the war of 1812 removed to OH, and spent the balance of his days 
in Ashtabula County, where he died at an advanced age. He was a Whig and a 
member of the Methodist church. His wife was left an orphan in early life, 
and was adopted by Elijah DUNTON, who came from VT into OH, where he was a 
popular hotel keeper. To Ambrose HOLDEN were born 13 children, of whom only 
one, the subject of this biographical sketch, located in WI.

Henry Seymour HOLDEN grew to manhood on what was then the frontier line of 
civilization and received but a limited education. He had a ready mind and a 
quick perception, and close study of the world around him has very largely 
supplied the lack of schooling. When he became old enough to care for 
himself he was sent to learn the trade of carriage maker at Geneva [Ashtabula 
County], OH. He became a capable workman, and in 1850 came west to Dundee 
[Kane County], IL, where he worked at his trade, and conducted a wagon shop 
for some years. 

He enlisted in the Federal army 11 Sep 1861, and became a member of Company 
I, 52nd IL Volunteer Infantry. He spent three years in active service, and 
was discharged at Rome [Floyd County], GA, 24 Oct 1864. He had an extensive 
and varied experience as a soldier, and was under the command of Rosecrans, 
Grant and Sherman while they had command of the Army of [p 608] Tennessee, in 
which his military service was very largely contained. He passed through 
some of the bloodiest scenes of the war. At Shiloh over one-third of his 
regiment was killed or wounded, and at Corinth he was under fire for two 
days. At that point he was detailed to duty in the government wagon shops, 
and was kept at this work until May 1864, when he rejoined his regiment, at 
Kingston, GA, and continued on active duty until after the fall of Atlanta 
[Atlanta fell on 02 Sep 1864], taking part in many serious engagements, 
escaping without a wound, though often exposed to danger on the firing line.

After Mr. HOLDEN had returned from the war he came to Baraboo [Sauk County], 
WI, and followed his business, wagon making, in that thriving city. He 
bought a farm of 120 acres in the town of Fairfield, soon after coming into 
the state, which constitutes his present home. This land he has converted 
into a very choice estate. It is provided with ample and commodious 
buildings, and has every facility for farming operations that the times 
require. In recent years he has rented the farm, though still continuing to 
make it his home. 

He was married 10 Oct 1847 to Elizabeth COWLES at Geneva [Ashtabula County], 
OH, where she was born and reared. She was a daughter of Alpheus and Polly 
COWLES, and died 30 Jun 1891, when over 69 years old. Her father was a 
veteran of the war of 1812. He came to WI and died in Fairfield Township 
[Sauk County] when 90 years of age. He was an active and energetic man, of 
rugged honesty. He was a strong Abolitionist, and an earnest and pushing 
character. In early life he studied for the Presbyterian ministry, but 
became a Free Thinker and gave up all thoughts of the pulpit as a place for 
him. 

Mr. and Mrs. HOLDEN were the parents of five children: (1) Sylvia M., was 
born 09 Mar 1849, married Miles DUSTON, and died 18 May 1871; (2) Jane 
Annie, born 31 Jan 1852, married T. H. WARNE, and died 14 Apr 1895; (3) 
Frances L., born 31 May 1855, died 04 Sep 1859; (4) Ruby R., born 25 Apr 
1857, married George CLARK, and died 02 Oct 1880; and (5) Harriet K., born 
21 May 1860, married Fred MILNER, and has her home in the town of Baraboo 
[Sauk County, WI]. Mr. HOLDEN has twelve living grandchildren and eight 
great grandchildren. 

He has always been a Republican since the formation of the party. He voted 
for Taylor in 1848, and, though not a politician, has filled from time to 
time various local positions of trust and responsibility. Throughout his 
entire life he has held the confidence and esteem of all who knew him and 
well deserves the peace and comfort that crown his last days.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly