Francis Marion Holden (1856 - 1937)

Born 9 Jul 1856 in Primrose, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy Elizabeth (Montague) Holden — married 5 Sep 1871 in Soldier, Monona County, Iowa

Husband of Marte Margrethe (Rasmussen) Holden — married 31 May 1897 in Stanton, Stanton, Nebraska

Descendants

Died 5 Jul 1937 at age 80 in Fresno, Fresno County, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Joachim Hawn [send private message]

Biography

FRANCIS "Frank" MARION HOLDEN

FRANCIS MARION HOLDEN was born on July 9, 1856, near Primrose Township, Dane County, Wisconsin. He was the son of PHOEBE PHILLIPS and IRA HOLDEN.

He married first on September 5 1873 at Soldier, Monona, Iowa, to NANCY ELIZABETH MONTAGUE born October 27, 1859, at Bandera, Bandera County, Texas, the daughter of GEORGE A. MONTAGUE (1829–1904) and FRANCES MARGARET "Fanny" ANDREWS (1833–1901)

Their children were

1. CHARLOTTE ESTELLA HOLDEN KESTERSON (1876–1934)​
2. GEORGE ELBERT HOLDEN (1879–1941)​​
3. FRANCIS ELDRIDGE HOLDEN (1880–1890)​
4. BESSIE MAUDE HOLDEN BISHOP WALTER FOLTZ (1882–Deceased)
5. ALICE MONTAGUE HOLDEN CARTE BOWEN KINDRED (1889–Deceased)
6. MAURICE CLAUDE HOLDEN (1891–1973)​​
7. DAVID CARYL HOLDEN (1895–1972)

This marriage ended in divorce.

A second later marriage took place on May 31, 1897, at Stanton, Stanton County, Nebraska, to MARTE MARGRETHE RASMUSSEN aka MARTHA or "Maggie" ROBERTSON born January 23, 1879, at Snøde, Svendborg, Denmark. She was the daughter of RASMUS RASMUSSEN and HANSINE JAKOBINE CHRISTIANSEN.

Their children were

1. SADIE MAE HOLDEN McCARTNEY (1898–1975)​​
2. LILLIAN GERTRUDE HOLDEN JOHNSON CURRAN (1899–1976)
3. FRANCES ETHA or EDITH HOLDEN STAPP (1905–1987)​
4. ANNA "Annie" MAUDE HOLDEN PAINE (1909–1994)​
5. ROBERT "Bob" MORRIS HOLDEN (1911–1988)

This marriage also ended in divorce.

FRANCIS MARION HOLDEN died on July 5, 1937, at Fresno, Fresno County, California, and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, in Fresno.

The following content was downloaded from an online eBook site – of which there are several host sites with downloadable, multiple format options. Content has been transcribed faithfully with exception of text emphasis (Capitalization and Bold) for names of relevant individuals and/or geographical locations. Words or sections of below text in Italics indicates my ‘flagging’ of that article which will be discussed post-text] A jpg image of the original published text has been modified into two parts (pg 616 and pg 617) which correspond to the Book pages containing the transcribed biography.

• Author……Frederic C. (Frederic Charles) Bartlett
• Title………..HISTORY of MONONA COUNTY, IOWA; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the Governors of Iowa, and of the Presidents of the United States
• Publisher...............Chicago, National Publication Company
• Search Category…Subject (keywords, tags): Monona County (Iowa)--History; Monona County (Iowa)—Biography - Contributor: New York Public Library

Page 616-617

FRANCIS MARION HOLDEN, who is engaged in farming on section 10, Jordan Township, was born near Primrose, Dane County, Wisconsin, on July 9, 1853, and is the son of IRA and PHOEBE (PHILLIPS) HOLDEN.

His father was born in NEW HAMPSHIRE in 1800, and was raised to manhood in his native state, where he was engaged in Agriculture until about 1840, and then moved westward and settled in Wisconsin.

In the latter State he was married in 1851, and made his residence in Dane County, until coming to this County in 1863, and here made his home until overtaken by death in the Fall of 1885.

The mother of our subject was born on the shores of the Lake in Michigan, in December 1829 and was the daughter of Alonzo Phillips; and the mother of three children –

1. FRANCIS M.
2. LILLIAN J., who died October 23, 1887 and
3. WINFIELD SCOTT, whose death took place in 1881

FRANCIS M, eldest child of his parents, at the age of ten years came to Monona County, with them, and December 20 1863, the Family located in Soldier Township. Here, our subject grew to manhood, and by persistent efforts and perseverance, managed to obtain a common school education.

At the age of Twenty years, renting a farm on section 18, St. Clair Township, he commenced a life for himself, and there and in Sioux Township, carried on Farming operations for about four years.

Removing to Kennebec Township, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on Section 32, where he made his home until 1885, when he sold out to F.L. Day, and moved to his present location, and now has some eighty acres of land; sixty of which is under cultivation.

Mr. Holden was married on September 5, 1873 to Miss Nancy E. Montague; daughter of George and Fannie (Andrews) Montague, who was born in Indian Territory.

They are the parents of five children, born on the following dates:

1. Lottie Stella, March 29, 1875
2. George Albert, November 12, 1877
3. Francis Eldridge, July 24, 1880
4. Bessie Maude, October 25 1882 and
5. Alice, February 12, 1889

(PLEASE NOTE:) there are errors contained in the above 'biography' that should be addressed....as well as some 'intriguing' information. The beauty of this type of biographical overview is also its chief weakness.....that being the relative disconnectedness of the writer with the subject - and the manner and source of the writers information. In this biography, there is what perhaps makes biographical content the most difficult to critique because it combines verified, known, and plausible details side-by-side with certainly erred details. So....from top to bottom:

1. Regarding the Year-of-Birth cited for my great-grandfather is incorrect. It should read: 1856 not 1853! His parents were not even married in 1853 (not until April 1854) but the day and month are correct.
2. Regarding Ira Holden's native State or Birthplace...We factually know little about Ira Holden before 1850 when he is first positively identified by the 1850 U.S. Census for Wisconsin, Dane, Primrose. But we do know he was born in Vermont, not New Hampshire. This is where his first wife Alvira was born and where all of their eight children were also born. And this is the first and perhaps among the most important factual aspects about Ira Holden that the biographer appears ignorant of...that being Francis' father had been married before Phoebe Phillips and had raised a first family. The biography appears to imply that Ira was New Hampshire born, grown, and there resided before embarking westward toward Wisconsin yet says nothing of his entire household who relocated with him....and that is simply not correct. Ira Holden was 50 years old the first time we 'glimpse' him on Census records...and was the father of two grown as well as minor dependent children in his household. In 1849 in Dane County, WI., Ira's first wife: Alvira along with the couple's two-month-old son: James H. Holden died of Cholera. Both mother and child are listed on Federal Mortality Schedules reported in the 1850 Census under Schedule 2 ordinances. There is in addition to this - the transcript and handwritten 1850 Probate Record of Alvira Holden; filed in Chittenden County, Vermont; sworn true and accurate by attestation of Alvira and Ira's eldest daughter: Charlotte Holden who had not migrated with her parents and siblings to Wisconsin -- probably because she, being betrothed in marriage to Jacob Dow and would be relocating herself to New Hampshire which was Jacob's home State. But the Probate is clear that all of the Holden children; including their deceased mother were born in Vermont....the firstborn being: James Jacob Holden, born in 1825. The youngest Holden child was the infant son, James H. who died with his mother in 1849...and the Mortality Schedule fixes his birthplace as Vermont...so that tells me:

First: the Family had probably began their migration in 1849 probably as soon as Alvira had delivered James. And if you're keeping count - that's a twenty-year span among siblings (not unusual) but it begs an immediate and reasonable question: If Ira were from New Hampshire - he most certainly had not in that state for over twenty years before migrating to Wisconsin...a fact the biographer appears ignorant of. The one item of Noteworthy mention also is the source of controversy among us researchers on Ira...and that appears on his April 1854 Marriage Registration Record for his marriage to Francis' mother which contains an entry for his birthplace and name of his parents (the one and only example we have and it is wrong on both counts) but it cites birthplace as: Washington County, New York. Let's just say having been involved with trying to untangle the truth...the reality is that the notation to New York was wrongly cited and belonged in fact to another man, named Ira Holden. New Hampshire is never mentioned except for the foregoing biographical content. So I contend..and state here my Challenge to anyone connecting Ira Holden with a birthplace in New Hampshire!

1. Regarding 1851 as the date of the only cited Marriage. This is verifiable by record evidence and incorrect! Ira Holden and Phoebe Phillips were not wed until April 1854 at Primrose, Dane County, Wisconsin!
2. Regarding 1863 as the Year when Ira Holden (and by extension son Francis ) removed to Monona County, Iowa from Dane County, Wisconsin. There are three aspects of this that need to be confronted - In April 1865 Phoebe Holden Filed a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage on the grounds of abandonment of the domicile; non-support of their three children for a period of over two years, and mental and physical cruelty.  : The petition being filed in Dane County, District Court; and clearly outlines residence of both parties - plaintiff and defendant as Dane County, Wisconsin.....NOT Monona County, Iowa! The biography also cites the location for Francis Marion Holden as: Jordan Township, Monona, Iowa. This makes sense and is corroborated by record sources for the births of several of his children (from both marriages) during that time frame and also fits with Family tradition for Francis. Jordan Township being considered within the defined boundaries of Moorehead Township, Monona, Iowa provides a measurable point-to-point distance as a benchmark to assess the plausibility...that is to say; that the two locations are physically near enough to one another that perhaps some travel had taken place. But the problem is the distance between Primrose Township, Dane County, Wisconsin - and Moorehead. A cursory internet-based query of that question produced this: the distance from Primrose, Wisconsin to Moorehead, Iowa is determined at 376.5 miles - those being modern, Inter-state Highway traveled miles! To prove that finding, please go to Google Maps: https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=h7tYWrqGDMmMjwOKpq3gBQ&q=what+is+the+distance+between+Primrose%2C+Wisconsin+and+Moorehead%2C+Monona%2C+Iowa%3F&oq=what+is+the+distance+between+Primrose%2C+Wisconsin+and+Moorehead%2C+Monona%2C+Iowa%3F&gs_l=psy-ab.3...1434.71388.0.72913.88.86.1.0.0.0.202.7614.61j19j1.81.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..6.52.4929.0..0j35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1j0i131i20i264k1j0i22i30k1j33i22i29i30k1j33i21k1j33i160k1.0.mZYPcDb0U3o Or: Rand McNally online: http://maps.randmcnally.com/mileage_calculator using Primrose, WI and Jordan Towship, IA as the delimiters (the latter gauges the distance at: 382 miles). By either standard, we can safely say that even if otherwise plausible....the distance alone rules out consideration for any day trip jaunts between the two destinations! In November of 1863 the published Notice of Probate for Robert Harrington, (second husband of Phoebe Phillips - Francis' mother) was printed and it as well, states Phoebe's residence in November 1863 as being Dane County, Wisconsin.....NOT Monona County, Iowa! (See WikiTree profile: Harrington-5793)
3. Regarding the claim that Ira Holden had resided in Monona County, Iowa until his death in the fall of 1885......Nothing I have read places Ira in Iowa (at any time) As for his death occurring in the Fall of 1885; available data shows he died in April of 1886 - so in fact, in the Spring of 1886 in Wisconsin, not the Fall of 1885 in Iowa!
4. Regarding the Birthplace of his mother: Phoebe Phillips, her Month of Birth, and name of her Father......Phoebe Phillips was not born along the shores of Lake Michigan....she was born in New York State. Her year-of-birth most certainly was not 1829 considering her firstborn son: Servillian Phillips of her first marriage was born in 1838 (she would have been 11). And her father's name was not Alonzo Phillips. The only male Phillips Family members bearing that name were her paternal uncle and her second-born son. Her Father was Joseph Phillips.
5. Regarding the second, different date citation for the Family's resettlement in Iowa. If Francis Marion was (Ten) years old when the Family relocated to Monona County...and here the biography offers itself up to the vulnerability of error by providing a specific date of December 20, 1863, (Francis' birth is July 9, 1856)...that would make the correlative year of their arrival: 1866 - this second date-related information is in contradiction with the previous date of birth for Francis: 1853! A further complication being that Phoebe and her fourth husband, Robert B. Ransom did not even marry until after that date. However, that later dating, is in fact, much more consistent and in line with the known facts....those being that his mother, Phoebe, was granted her petition for Dissolution of Marriage by the Wisconsin Court in May 1865; she married her fourth and final husband (Robert B. Ransom) in August 1865 at Primrose Township, Dane County, WI...and the next record identifying the household of Robert B. Ransom is the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Soldier Township, Monona County, Iowa:

• Robert B Ranson.....Male.......41....New York
• Phebe Ranson.........Female...48....New York
• Frank Ranson..........Male.......15...Wisconsin
• Lillion Ranson.........Female....11..Wisconsin
• Scott Ranson...........Male........9....Wisconsin

(See WikiTree profile: Ransom-839) The Census for that cycle did not include Categorical Data regarding "Length of Residence in State" but we can deduce it was after August 1865 and before 1870. Well outside of the 1863 claimed in the biography. However, the biography is quite correct in that it locates the Family's first location of residence at Solider Township, Monona, IA. NOTE: As was customary; the minor children from a previous marriage of the female spouse were usually identified according to the surname of the H.O.H. unless otherwise specified. "Scott" Ransom refers to Winford Scott Holden the youngest of the Holden children. This section also cites the relevant Date of Death if it occurred prior to the bio. Here cited for Lillian Josephine Holden, is the date: October 23, 1887, which like the date of relocation is very specific and does not allow for leverage room...Unfortunately, I have not been able to substantiate that date. The information I have cited is that Lillian may have actually married, bore children, and ultimately resettled in California where she died at an advanced age. This will need to be re-checked and any update will be here Noted along with changes to her profile, respectively. The material does correctly date Winford's death to 1881. The remainder of details are accurate and without noteworthy error.

Sources

• "Nebraska Marriages, 1855-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZL-T42R : 28 November 2018), Francis M Holden and Maggie Robertson, 31 May 1897, Stanton, Stanton, Nebraska, United States; citing ref. ID #, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln.
• "Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XV4G-WBZ : 20 May 2016), Frank Holder for Maurice Claude Holder, 25 Dec 1891; citing Jordan Township, Monona, Iowa, United States; county district courts, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,443,703.
• "Iowa, Death Records, 1921-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/Q24D-S3YF : 31 October 2016), Frank Holden for Lottie Kesterson, 08 Sep 1934, Iowa, United States; citing certificate #67113, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines; FamilySearch digital folder 101797062.
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MWMY-X45 : 30 December 2015), Francis Horington in the household of Ira Holden, 1860. The last name is Harrington, not Horington ....Actually no, the name was not Harrington either, it was Holden...and 'she' was 'he' as in Francis Marion Holden "Frank". With multiple marriages come multiple errors.
• '"Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJ6J-L6V : 8 March 2016), Frank Holden for Harry C. Bishop and Bessie M. Holden, 03 Jul 1900, Onawa, Monona, Iowa, United States; citing reference p242 cn683, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJP2-J5W : 3 December 2014), Frank Holden for Harry C. Bishop and Bessie M. Holden, 03 Jul 1900; citing Onawa, Monona, Iowa, reference 2:3HJH381; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPMF-1S1 : 26 November 2014), Holden for Frances Edith Stapp, 01 Nov 1987; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento. California Death Index Record: FRANCIS EDITH STAPP
• "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8ZX-1QN : 28 November 2014), Frank Holden for David Caryl Holden and Lulie Mardel Squire, 25 Apr 1918; citing San Joaquin, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 1,841,864.
• "Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJBC-FD9 : 3 December 2014), Francis Marion Holden for George Elbert Holden and Agnes Louise Smith, 02 Jul 1900; citing Castana, Monona, Iowa, reference 2:3HJH0V7; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJ6J-TVS : 27 September 2017), F. M. Holden and Nancy E. Montague, 05 Sep 1875, Monona Co., Iowa, United States; citing reference p71 cn451, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJ6J-25C : 8 March 2016), Francis Marion Holden for George Elbert Holden and Agnes Louise Smith, 02 Jul 1900, Castana, Monona, Iowa, United States; citing reference p230 cn681, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XV2M-8VK : 3 December 2014), Frank Holden for Alice Montague Holden, ; citing Monona Co, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,443,704.
• "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K39W-XZS : 5 December 2014), Francis Holden for George Elbert Holden, 29 Aug 1941; citing certificate number 38837, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,138,745.
• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDL7-489 : 13 July 2016), Francis Holden, Jordon, Monona, Iowa, United States; citing enumeration district ED 156, sheet 94D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0357; FHL microfilm 1,254,357.
• "South Dakota State Census, 1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MM4R-691 : 16 November 2014), Frank M Holden, South Dakota, United States; citing State Historical Society, Pierre; FHL microfilm 2,281,625.
• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MGMP-86G : accessed 7 July 2017), Frank M Holden, Belvidere, Monona, Iowa, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 68, sheet 1A, family 2, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 414; FHL microfilm 1,374,427.
• "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VPSL-B9R : 26 November 2014), Holden for Ann Maude Paine, 24 Jan 1994; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento. California Death Index, 1940-1997
• "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHHS-DCN : accessed 11 July 2017), Francis M Holden, Porterville, Tulare, California, United States; citing ED 211, sheet 9A, line 11, family 190, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 153; FHL microfilm 1,820,153.
• "Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVDY-NSX : 20 May 2016), Frank M Holden for Robt Morris Holden, 13 Nov 1911; citing Turin, Monona, Iowa, United States; county district courts, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,443,704.
• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MMRZ-LRL : accessed 7 July 2017), Frank Halden, Buffalo & Taopi Townships, Minnehaha, South Dakota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 251, sheet 7B, family 110, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,552.
• "Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJRH-PQM : 3 December 2014), Francis Marion Holden for Isaac Kelly Kesterson and Lottie Estella Holden, 31 May 1893; citing Castana, Monona, Ia, reference 2:3WPGW6X; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJ6J-1ZT : 8 March 2016), Francis Marion Holden for Isaac Kelly Kesterson and Lottie Estella Holden, 31 May 1893, Castana, Monona, Iowa, United States; citing reference p40 cn11F, county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,436,148.
• "California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QKS9-3V6K : 5 June 2015), Francis M Holden, 1937; citing 39052, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento; FHL microfilm 1,686,049.
• "Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NQ95-BTR : 4 December 2014), Francis M. Holden for George E. Holden and Georgiana Rose, 10 Mar 1923; citing Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, v 5 rn 17202, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,756.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QVLW-KD5D : 13 December 2015), Francis Marion Holden, 1937; Burial, Fresno, Fresno, California, United States of America, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 91362307, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com
• "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHHS-DCV : accessed 11 July 2017), Robert M Holden in the household of Francis M Holden, Porterville, Tulare, California, United States; citing ED 211, sheet 9A, line 13, family 190, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 153; FHL microfilm 1,820,153.This record shows Francis Holden living in Porterville California in 1920 with his son Robert and daughter Annie