HOLLADAY-Ambrose S. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Ambrose S. Holladay, farmer, Waterman, is a son of Gideon and Martha (Coon) Holladay. Gideon Holladay, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was a farmer and mechanic. He was justice of the peace for years; also at one time high sheriff of Schenectady county, New York, and for some years a member of congress. He died in New York about 1829. His wife was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, New York. She was the mother of thirteen children, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, about 1864. She was a member of the Baptist church. Ambrose S. Holladay was born in Duanesburg, New York, October 17, 1809. He was raised on a farm, and at his father's death assumed the responsibilities of home. He early engaged in dressing calves, buying and selling, being quite successful, financially, but security for others ruined him. He owned two mills, 160 Acres of ground, and much stock, all of which he placed in the hands of those whom he had secured, to the amount of $13,600. He turned westward to retrieve his losses. Money was offered him, but he refused, and arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, one shilling in pocket. There he was offered a partnership in the wholesale grocery house of his brother, J. J. Holladay, about 1837, and largely through his foresight the firm was able to weather the panic of 1837. In 1843 Mr. Holladay came to Covington, Indiana, and engaged in selling goods for five years. He then erected two warehouses, one on the canal and one on the river, and engaged in the grain trade. The failure of the canal again destroyed his fortune. He then bought twenty acres of land in Fulton township, Fountain county, and began farming. By industry and care he has added to his farm till he owns 180 acres, mostly cleared. He is a republican. Mr. Holladay was married in 1852 to Abigail Kies, daughter of Archibald and Hannah Kies. She was born in Killingly, Connecticut, November 4, 1815; was educated at the Charlestown, Massachusetts, Seminary, graduating in seven different languages. She taught a select school in Plainfield, Conne cticut, and was assistant in Smithville (Rhode Island) Seminary. She then came west to assume the preceptresship of Fort Wayne College, but taking sick she was obliged to forego the position. She taught at Goshen and South Bend, and was then recalled to Fort Wayne College, where she spent two years. She then taught a select school at Lodi, where she has taught the district school several terms. Mr. And Mrs. Holladay have two children, Hannah S. A. and Ambrose S. Jr.