Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Holtslander, John 1809 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 24, 2007, 12:24 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JOHN HOLTSLANDER. This venerable, yet active farmer whose property lies in
Clayton Township, Genesee County, is a native of Mt. Morris, Livingston County,
N. Y., where he was born August 29, 1809. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth
(Scicia) Holtslander, both of whom were natives of Orange County, N. Y. The
father was a farmer and came to Michigan about the year 1841, settling in Mt.
Morris Township, this county, and here engaged in farming. He bought land which
was then entirely untouched and after clearing it and putting it in condition
for cultivation, he sold and bought again in Mundy Township, this county, and
there remained until he was called hence by death.

  Twelve children gathered about this pioneer home and six of them are now
living, namely: Henry, Adam, James, John, Elizabeth and Ann. Both parents were
earnestly active in Christian work, being members of the Methodist Church, and
Adam Holtslander was in his political views a Democrat. The subject of this
sketch received his education in Mt. Morris, N. Y., and had the usual training
of a farmer's boy, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age,
after which he engaged extensively in farming in Mt. Morris. He came to Michigan
about the year 1860, settling on the Cold water Road in Mt. Morris Township,
this county, where he carried on farming on a large scale. He kept a flock of
one thousand sheep and a large number of cattle, selling sometimes as much as
$1,300 worth of cattle at a time.

  John Holtslander came to the place where he now resides in 1880, and for the
last thirty years has engaged extensively in buying and selling cattle. He is
well known throughout all this region, and has always been a business man,
closely associated with business men. His home, a view of which appears in this
volume, is beautiful and well furnished, and the best live stock is to be found
upon his farm. He is called one of the best farmers in Clayton Township, and his
home farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres while he has other valuable
land in Saginaw County. He always deposits what money he does not need for
immediate use in the banks and has assisted a number of Eastern banks to start.

  Our subject was married in 1833 to Miss Adeline, daughter of Nicholas
Holtslander. She was born in Orange County, N. Y., and lived with her husband in
harmony and domestic happiness for fifty-seven years. Her death proved in this
home an irreparable loss. Two children now survive, Sarah and James. The latter
married Gertrude Mirtenis, daughter of the Rev. Stephen and Mary (Holtslander)
Mirtenis, and four children have gathered about the fireside, namely: Lillie,
Lula, May, and Nellie.

  The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his political views and has held
the office of Superintendent of the Poor as well as other positions of trust and
responsibility. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as are
also, all his family. He united with the church in 1833 and has ever since been
a consistent member, serving as Class-Leader and holding other official
positions. Social life is his delight and no one is turned ungraciously from his
door, while for the poor he feels a brotherly interest and ever holds toward
them a helping hand. In matters, social, religious and business, he is one of
the most prominent men in the township.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892

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