BIOS: James B. HOLDERBAUM, Somerset, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sharon Trosan Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 234-236. James B. Holderbaum, a well-known merchant of Somerset, Pa., and one of its foremost business men, was born in this town, February 6, 1854, a son of John M. and Julia C. (Imhoff) Holderbaum. His great-grandfather Holderbaum, whose name was Peter, was for many years a saddler in Bedford County, this State; but it is not known where he was born or whom he married. Peter Holderbaum reared seven children, the eldest of whom, named Martin, was the grandfather of James B. Martin Holderbaum was born and educated in Bedford County, and from there in 1817 he came to Somerset. Having previously learned the trade of blacksmith, he followed it here throughout his years of activity, having a large patronage. He was industrious and thrifty, and was everywhere respected for his many sterling qualities. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Anawalt, bore him two children, of whom John M., the first-born, the father of James B., is the only one living. The grandparents were both members of the Lutheran church, and both attained the age of seventy-two years. John M. Holderbaum was born in Somerset June 4, 1819, and was here bred and educated. In 1833, when a youth of fourteen, he entered a store as clerk for Neff & Stahl; and in 1847, after many years of experience in the business, he opened a general store in Somerset, where he has built up a fine trade, and is now one of the most prosperous merchants of the place. In politics he is a stanch Democrat; and, though he has never held public office, he has always contributed liberally toward all enterprises tending to advance the welfare of the town. His wife, Julia C. Imhoff, a daughter of Joseph Imhoff, was born in Somerset, October 16, 1824, and died in July 1896. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom seven are living, namely: George, who married Annie McDonald, and has one child, Virginia Lee; Catherine, who is the widow of Harry R. Cromwell, and has two children- Howard and Bertha; Charles who married Sarah Moser; Margaret, wife of John R. Megahn and mother of four children- Edward, Joseph, Guy and a daughter; James B., the special subject of this sketch; Lucy E.; and Darl F. James B. Holderbaum was educated in the schools of Somerset, and began his mercantile career as a clerk in his father's store. He acquired a practical knowledge of the business; and, being admitted into partnership with is father soon after attaining his majority, he remained a member of the firm until 1884. Withdrawing then, he established a hardware store of his own in Somerset; and he has since been most successfully engaged in its management, his store being one of the best equipped in this vicinity and his trade one of the most extensive and lucrative. A man of sterling integrity, he has the confidence and respect of the entire community. He is a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and is an influential member of the Somerset Lodge, No 358, F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the chairs. On February 12, 1878, Mr. Holderbaum married Annie A., daughter of Isaac G. Jones, of Somerset, a brief sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Holderbaum have six children; namely, Julia C., John I., Cora M., Robert P., Harriet R., and Ethel M. Mr. and Mrs. Holderbaum are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.