Pleasants County, West Virginia, Biography of Josiah Holdren

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JOSIAH HOLDREN

Josiah Holdren, a prominent young farmer of Pleasants county, was 
born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1854, his parents being Thomas 
and Mary (Riggs) Holdren.  The father was a son of Joseph Holdren, a 
native of New Jersey, and settled in Ohio at an early day where he 
bought wild lands and cleared a farm on which he remained until his 
death.  He fought through the war of 1812, although quite young at 
the time.  Our subject's mother was a daughter of Edmund and 
Elizabeth Riggs.  Edmund Riggs came to Ohio from Maryland at an early 
day and settled in Washington county, where he remained several 
years, after which he crossed over the river to Pleasants county, 
W.Va.  There he bought a very large tract of wild lands which he 
converted into a farm and remained on the same until his death.  He 
was a leading citizen during his life and held several positions of 
profit and trust. Our subject was reared on the farm in Ohio where he 
attended the common schools of the county, and in 1884, married Ella 
M. Morgan, daughter of J. W. and Emma (Hanes) Morgan.  Mary E., Viola 
M. and Thurman Allen were the names of the children born to this 
union.  The mother was born and reared in Pleasants county and she 
and her husband are members of the Presbyterian church.  Mr. Holdren 
now owns 100 acres of the original farm which was brought under 
cultivation by his grandfather Riggs.  He is a worthy descendant of a 
well known family of the Ohio valley and deservedly enjoys rank as a 
citizen.   

From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I; Brant & Fuller, 1891.


(Linda Cunningham Fluharty)