Holden Family From Canada To Detroit, MI

While researching the family of Maria Howard's husband, Hiram Holden, it was discovered that Hiram's niece's son, William Henry Holden, was mentioned in the book, The Detroiters, and had moved from Canada to Detroit, Michigan. Maria (Howard) Holden was the sister of my great-great-great grandmother, Ann (Howard) Kennedy, so it was her connection to the Holden family that piqued my interest.

Hiram Holden's sister, Esther Holden(b. 3 Aug 1812), married Merrick Sawyer [See Hiram Holden blog entry for marriage information as well as additional Holden family information]. Merrick Sawyer was born 2 Feb 1808 at Heath, Massachusetts, and died 21 May 1900 at Belleville, Ontario, Canada (a profile of their house can be found here). Merrick was the son of Oliver & Polly (Wilder) Sawyer. Their (Esther Holden/Merrick Sawyer's) daughter, Mary Esther Sawyer, married John H. Holden probably the son of Charles & Tamar (Weldon) Holden. Their son, William H. Holden, was profiled below in "The Detroiters" excerpt:

HOLDEN, William H., pharmacist; born, Merrickville, Ont. Can., July 26, 1859; son of J.H. and Mary Esther Sawyer, both natives of Massachusetts; educated in public and high schools of Belleville, Ont.; Ontario College of Pharmacy, Toronto, degree of Ph. G., Feb. 1879. Married at Belleville, June 9, 1887, Ella Bancroft Jones. Began active career as apprentice in retail drug business, with L.W. Yeomans and Company, Belleville, 1875; was with R. Templeton, Belleville, retail drugs, 1877-78; prescription clerk with Kenneth Campbell & Co., H.R. Gray, and foreman for H. Sugden Evens & Co., all of Montreal, P.Q. 1879-87; has been identified with Parke, Davis & Co., manufacturing chemists, since March 21, 1881; first as foreman, later as general superintendent. Has devoted his attention largely for many years to the systematizing of complex business affairs and the organization of employees for social and industrial welfare. Also president Currie Cement Construction Co., Currie Coal Co., Meso Island Co., Co. Congregationalist. Clubs: Detroit, Detroit Boat, Detroit Boat Club Yachtsman. Recreations: Yachting, boating and outing diversions at Hickory Island and summer home. Office: Parke, Davis & Co. Residence: 366 Cadillac Blvd.

The book, History of Michigan, by Charles Moore, adds some details to the Holden family, including the fact that William H. Holden was the ninth generation from Richard Holden, who founded the Holden family in America. It also stated that Merrick Sawyer adopted W. H. Holden and that Merrick Sawyer founded the Coburg school that evolved into Victoria College.

William H. Holden's wife, Ella Bancroft Jones Holden, was the daughter of Nathan Jones (& probably Jane Clement). Other ancestors would include Nathan Jones & Sarah Bancroft and Nathan Jones & Esther Butterfield. More of her ancestry can be found in the book by Myrtle Bowen Clark, Jones genealogy : being a record of the descendants of Hugh Jones of Salem, Mass., emigrant from Wincanton, England, 1635-1931, pub. 1931. She and her daughter, Alma Clement Holden Curtiss, were members of the DAR under their JONES ancestors, but were probably eligible under Bancroft ancestors as well.