My Genealogy Hound

William L. Holder, an agriculturist of Franklin County, was born in Winston County, Miss., March 12, 1843, and is a son of John L. and Martha (Suttles) Holder, natives of the State of Alabama. The father who was a gunsmith and blacksmith by trade, remained in his native State until about twenty-four years of age, when he removed to Mississippi, where he owned a large farm, and remained until his death, which occurred in May, 1878. His widow still lives. In this family were nine children, of whom five are living, viz.: Jane, (widow of Titus Yarbrough), William L., John C., Thomas T. and Elijah. The parents were both members of the Baptist Church. William L. was reared on his father’s farm in Mississippi. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Mississippi Volunteer Infantry; was in the bombardment of Pensacola and the battles of Chickamauga and Franklin, serving until the close of the war. He then returned to Mississippi, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Franklin County, Ark., and two years later located on his present farm near Charleston, which is underlaid with coal, and is very valuable. In 1866 Mr. Holder married Emma J. Pettigrew, who was born in 1844, and is a daughter of Ebenezer Pettigrew. Mr. and Mrs. Holder are the parents of five children, viz.: Sallie P., John E., James L., Mattie K. and Augustus B. One infant is deceased. Mrs. Holder is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Holder is a Democrat in politics.