Holden Family, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Sandra McLellan, Jul. 2005
Special thanks to Jim Perrin for donating it to the archives.

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THE HOLDEN FAMILY

In the Ponchatoula Enterprise, 25 May 2005

BY JIM PERRIN, Local Historian

William Holden, an early settler in the Ponchatoula area, was born 4 August 1836 
in Mississippi.  He served as a second lieutenant in the Confederate army during 
the War Between the States, enlisting at Ponchatoula in the Ninth Battalion of 
Louisiana Infantry.  He was captured with his unit at the Battle of Port Hudson, 
Louisiana, and thereafter was shipped to several Yankee prisons where he remained 
until the end of the war.  He married Amelia Jane Wells 18 March 1872 in Tangipahoa 
Parish.  Amelia was born 22 Dec. 1838 in Louisiana, and was the daughter of Levi 
Wells and Virginia Bourg.  Amelia had been previously married to John Fendlason, 
who had died 26 September 1870

William and Amelia had children: Mary Holden (b. 16 March 1874, d. 16 July 1880 of 
diptheria); William H. Holden, Jr., (27 April 1876-1931); and Jacquelina "Lena" 
Holden (b. 27 Jan. 1879-16 March 1927, m. Duncan Robertson).  When the census was 
conducted in 1880 William and Amelia were living in Ponchatoula with their three 
children as well as six of Amelia's seven Fendlason children from her previous 
marriage.  William was then working as an engineer operating a steam sawmill on 
Selcer's Creek in conjunction with Mr. Yokum.  In 1900, William listed his 
occupation as a farmer and lumber manufacturer.  The Holden household in 1900 
consisted of William, Amelia, and their two surviving children, as well as 
Amelia's children Norman and Jhanvave Fendlason.  Her son Spencer Fendlason and 
his family were living next door.

Amelia died 18 March 1905 and William died at his home in Ponchatoula about ten 
weeks later on 31 May 1905.  Both were buried in the Sandhill Cemetery, as were 
their two oldest children.

Anyone with comments, questions, or additional information about Ponchatoula's rich 
heritage may call Jim Perrin at 386-4476