In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1900) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1822, Ross County
From History of Grundy County, Illinois : containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time ... , biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc (1882), Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle and Grundy counties, Illinois (1900)
ABRAHAM HOLDERMAN, Sb.. Seneca. The subject of this sketch, Abraham Holderman, is a son of Abraham and Charlotte Holderman, who came to what is now Grundy County in the fall of 1831, the year before the Black Hawk war. Subject was then nine years old, being born in Ross County, Ohio, January 22, 1822. At the time of his first recollection of this county there were but two houses between the Holderman Grove and Chicago, and no house from them to Bloomington. Went to mill over thirty miles. Nearest trading point was Chicago. Their first school was taught in the winter of 1834, obtaining a teacher for $10 per month. At this time there was not a sawed board nor a nail in any of their buildings. Some years they lost all their hay and grain from prairie fires. Subject was married in Grundy May 4, 1847, to Miss Mary E. Hoge, daughter of William and Rachael Hoge. She was born in Loudoun County, Va., August 17, 1827, and came with her parents to this county the fall of 1831. They were the first family in the county. Her brother James Hoge being the first white child born in the county. Subject has a family of eight children, three of whom are dead — William Holderman, born July 3, 1848; Joseph, February 11, 1850, and Hendley, December 11, 1851, all deceased; Abram J. Holderman, whose biog-
As printed in History of Grundy County, Illinois : containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time ... , biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ABRAHAM HOLDERMAN.
One of the pioneers of Grundy county, Abraham Holderman was for many years connected with the interests of this section of the state, and at all times bore his part in the work of progress, improvement and advancement. He also met with success in his business undertakings and became one of the extensive land-owners of the community. In all life's relations he commanded the respect of those with whom he was associated and no huston,' of the agricultural interests of Grundy county would be complete without the record of his life.
He was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 22, 1822, and was a son of Abraham and Charlotte (O'Neal) Holderman. His father was a Pennsylvania Dutchman and his mother was of Irish lineage. The former was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and when eighteen years of age removed to Ross county, Ohio, where he was married. Seven sons and seven daughters were born of this union, and eleven of the family grew to years of maturity, while ten of the number were married and reared families of their own. The father was a prosperous man who extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Ohio, but, desiring to try his fortune in a district farther west, he came to Illinois on a prospecting tour in July, 1831. Selecting land in this state, he then returned to Ohio and in the fall of 1831 brought his family to Illinois, settling at what is now known as Holderman's Grove. This was a year before the Black Hawk war. When the Indians began hostilities against the white people, in order that his family might escape the danger which threatened them he hastened with them to Ottawa and on to Pekin, Illinois, where he remained till peace was once more restored. In August, 1832, they returned to> their home in LaSalle county, and through the exercise of his excellent business ability and unflagging industry he became a large landholder. He followed farming and stock-raising throughout his entire life and was one of the worthy pioneer settlers who aided in laying the foundations for the present prosperity in Grundy county. He was a well-known citizen, greatly respected by his many friends.
Abraham Holderman, whose name introduces this review, was only nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to Illinois, where he was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, enduring the usual hardships and trials which fall to the lot of the pioneer settlers. During his boyhood he assisted in the arduous task of the development of the new farm and when twenty-three years of age he began farming on his own account. At that time his father gave him a plow and harness and the use of all the land he could work, with the admonition, "Earn your own money and you will know how to prize it; but if you want any help at any time come to me." Borrowing seven hundred dollars of William Hoge, afterward his father-in-law. Mr. Holderman joined his brother Barton in the operation of a farm of two hundred and forty acres in the town of Felix — property owned by the father. At the end of two years the brothers divided the profits, and Mr. Holderman, of this review, found himself in possession of eighteen hundred dollars. He was then married, on the 4th of May, 1847, to Miss Mary E. Hoge, daughter of William and Rachel Hoge. She was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, August 17, 1827, and with her parents came to Grundy county in the fall of 1831. She was to her husband a faithfid companion and helpmeet and their home was brightened and blessed by the presence of five children, namely: A. J., Albert H., Martha J., Landy S. and Samuel D.
In 1849 '''- Holderman removed to Erriemia township, Grundy county, locating upon a quarter section of land which he had purchased at three dollars per acre. He at once began to develop and cultivate his tract and soon transformed it into rich and fertile fields. He also carried on stock-raising and was ver>- prosperous in his undertakings, winning a high degree of.success. From year to year, as his financial resources increased, he added to his possessions until he became one of the largest landholders in the state. He also continued stock-raising on an extensive scale and was recognized as one of the leading representatives in these lines of business in central Illinois. His business methods were so honorable that he enjoyed the confidence and good will of all, and the most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily had it been acquired.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in Biographical and genealogical record of LaSalle and Grundy counties, Illinois (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Abram J. Holderman (b. 1853) William Hoge
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.