MFH: 1 June

Today is the 169th anniversary of the birth of my great-great-grandfather, Andrew Holden. Andre was born in King's County (today known as County Offaly), Ireland on 1 June 1839. He emigrated to the United States in 1852 and settled in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio.

On 11 October 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F of the 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On 18 March 1862 he was promoted to Corporal; he was promoted to Sergeant on 4 July 1863; and he was promoted to First Sergeant on 28 March 1865. Among the battles he fought in were Monterey, Shane's Bridge, McDonald, Franklin, Strausburg, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Freeman's Ford, Waterloo Bridge, Sulphur Springs, 2nd Bull Run, Aldie, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Hagerstown, Ft. Wagner, John's Island, Camp Baldwin, Gainesville, and Charlestown besides over 100 skirmishes and minor engagements. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio on 20 July 1865.

On 14 August 1865 in Marietta, Ohio, he married Catherine Anne Highland with whom he had five children: John Edwin (1868-1888); Mary A. (1870-1878); Thomas Francis (1871-1936); Catherine Regina (1873-1949, my great-grandmother); Margaret M. (1875-1909). Andrew and Catherine also raised their nephew William D. Holden (1882-1930).

Andrew died 24 March 1895 in Marietta, Ohio and was buried two days later in St. Mary's (Old) Cemetery in Marietta.
My descent from Andrew Holden is:
Andrew Holden + Catherine Anne Highland
|
Catherine Regina Holden + Owen Francis Roddy
|
Benedict Aloysius Roddy + Mary Eileen Hayes
|
My Mother + My Father
|
Me


This picture shows the old Holden farmhouse (in background) located at Tunnel, Warren Township, Washington County, Ohio.