Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Holm, Henry J ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 9:38 pm Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record HENRY J. HOLM, who is manager of the creamery at Goodings Grove, Homer Township, came to this county in 1881 and began the cultivation of the one hundred and forty acres comprising his present homestead. By good management and energy he brought the place under excellent cultivation. As necessity demanded, he erected farm buildings. In 1896 his barn burned down and he built the one he now uses, a substantial building with basement 32x60 feet in dimensions; also a corn crib 24x32. His barn is so large that it will accommodate eighty tons of hay at one time. The stock are given stalls in the basement. He engages in the raising of cattle and in the dairy business, milking eleven cows. Largely through his efforts a creamery was started. He was the first to subscribe for stock and furnish money for the enterprise, and he now has quite a sum invested in the business. Besides being manager of the creamery he is secretary and treasurer of the company. All products are shipped to Chicago, where Elgin prices are paid. It is due to his management and good judgment that the business has been made so profitable, returning to its stockholders dividends that are larger than was first anticipated. The quality of the butter is so excellent that it always commands a high price. For instance, in September, 1899, they turned out eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight pounds of butter, which sold at an average price of twenty-two and one-half cents per pound, this making the cash receipt from seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine pounds sold outside of the community $1,749, an estimate that gives an idea of the dimensions of the business and explains the reason for the high rating of the stock. Mr. Holm was born in Kensington, Ill., February 9, 1857. His father, John, a native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussia, came to America at eighteen years of age, spending six weeks on the water. He proceeded at once to this county, where he was employed on farms. Later he sawed wood for the Illinois Central Railroad, making about $1,600. With this money he bought land in Worth, Cook County. The place was raw prairie and required considerable effort to get under cultivation. Being industrious he prospered. The property that he first purchased is now worth many hundred times what he paid for it. By adding to his holdings he became the owner of three hundred and sixty-five acres, comprising a valuable farm, on which he still resides. He has served as commissioner and is a Republican in politics. In religion he believes in Lutheran doctrines. While living in Kensington he married Carolina Hock, also from Prussia. They have five children, viz.: Henry J.; Mrs. Mary Handorf, of Marley, this county; Dora, wife of Dan Laufer, of Homer Township; Fred, who superintends his father's farm; and Carrie, wife of Paul Hampel, of Washington Heights. The life of our subject has been passed in Cook and Will Counties. He remained at home until his marriage, April 11, 1881, which united him with Louise, daughter of Henry Sahs, of Oak Lawn. She died in 1896, leaving five children, Henry, Louise, Alice, Cora and Carrie. Since 1891 Mr. Holm has been a member of the board of school directors. His political views are in accord with the platform of the Republican party. He is a director of the Homer Mutual Fire Insurance Company, an organization which has proved of great benefit to the farmers of this township. Reared in the Lutheran faith, he has always favored its doctrines and supported its enterprises. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/holm957gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb