Thomas G. Holland, one of the best known and most influential farmers of Pendleton township, died at his home near Belle Rive yesterday afternoon in the 84th year of his age.

Deceased was a native of South Carolina, and was born Oct. 6, 1814.

When a small boy he removed to Tennessee where he worked on a farm and laid the foundation for that industry and thrift which characterized his later life. He lived among strangers during his boyhood and his opportunities for "getting on in the world" were such as he made for himself and no man was more truly the architect of his own fortune than was Mr. Holland. His school education was of the most limited kind and was confined to about twelve months in the old fashioned subscription schools which existed in the south seventy- five years ago.

Becoming dissatisfied with his environment he looked longingly to the fertile prairies of Illinois as offering a more promising field for his energy than the rocky hillsideds of his adopted state, and he packed up his few belongings and came to Jefferson county, reaching here in the spring of 1837. He had no difficulty in finding employment on a farm at small wages but by strict economy he was able to save a small part of his earnings each year and in this way accumulated a small capital with which to engage in farming for himself.

July 23, 1840, he was married to Miss Amilda Goodrich, from which union were born ten children.

Mr. and Mrs. Holland settled on a tract of government land where they resided for nine years, at the end of which time they sold their claim and moved to Moore's Prairie and purchased and improvement where they began farming in earnest. Even at this time Mr. Holland was poor in purse but rich in experience and muscle and in a few years his energy and perseverance began to raise him from the position of a dependant to one of comfort and independence. From this time his financial progress was uninterrupted and he was able to survey his broad acres and their yielding crops with an increasing equanimity and pleasure.

Mr. Holland was several time elected township supervisor besides being called to fill other minor public offices. He was a devoted member of the M.E. church and was highlly respected by all who knew him. In politics he was a Democrat and for more than half a century advocated the measures of that party in national, state and county affairs. He was one of the organizers and stockholders in the old National bank and was actuated in all his dealings with his fellow men by broad and liberal policy.

The funeral and interment will take place at Belle Rive tomorrow.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: February 8, 1898
Submitted by Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera - October 27, 1997