George W. Holdren, M.D.
It is not an easy matter to analyze the forces of character that result in a life of apparently tireless energy and a high degree of professional success; the biographer can do little more than note their manifestation in the career of the gentleman under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the successful physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well-defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose serve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Holdren holds distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Holdren has achieved a notable success and an eminent standing among the medical men of the county. In addition to his creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions, he has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public which he gladly serves in every possible manner. In every relation of life he has been true to his ideal of manhood and has never resorted to methods which have invited criticism or censure.
George W. Holdren was born in Ross county, this state, on June 24, 1862, the son of William H. and Mary (Long) Holdren, being one of a family of five children. He is the second child in order of birth, but the oldest living, the parents having lost one of their children in earliest infancy. Martin R. Holdren, another son of the family, is located at Fruitdale, this state. His wife was Alma Moon before her marriage and they are the parents of one child, Emil. William L. is deceased, while Herbert is a photographer in Washington C. H. He chose as his wife Stella Dallinger and they are the parents of two children, Hazard and Charlotte. William H. Holdren, father of the immediate subject, was also born in Ross county, where practically his entire life has been passed. His entire life has been given over to agricultural pursuits and he has now retired from his strenuous labors and both he and his worthy wife are passing their declining years in peace and comfort. Doctor Holdren received his earliest education in the schools near his home in Ross county, which he attended until his eighteenth year, later finishing at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He had fitted himself as a teacher, which vocation he followed for a few years in the schools of his native county. During the latter part of his career as a teacher he read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. J. W. Hughey, at that time located at Good Hope. He later took up his residence at Washington C. H., where he closed his long and worthy career. After advancing as far as he could under the kindly instruction of Doctor Hughey, young Holdren attended the Medical College of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1889. Directly after finishing his college career, he located in Bloomingburg, where he has since resided and where he has won a host of friends. His career has not only been successful from a scientific standpoint, but he has gained for himself the sincere regard and confidence of the entire community. Doctor Holdren possesses a sincere and broad-minded sympathy with the afflicted and this, combined with an earnest desire to help others, at once wins for him the co-operation of his patient and his entire confidence. His kindly nature carries comfort and cheer into the sick room and this fact has also contributed its quota to the success he has won. He 'is also held in highest respect by his brother physicians because of his genuine worth and he is a welcome addition to any company which he chooses to enter, for he possesses to an eminent degree those qualities which commend one to the good will of others. Doctor Holdren is prominently connected with the various medical societies of the county and state, In 1913, Doctor Holdren was president of the Fayette County Medical Society.
Doctor Holdren manifests a commendable interest in political affairs, being a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He represented his district as senator in the State Legislature, being elected for one term, and has also been a member of the school board for a number of years. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degree of Knight Templar, holding his membership in the commandery at Washington C. H. He also received the Royal Arch degree at the same place. Doctor Holdren is also a member of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and is one of the earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomingburg.
Doctor Holdren was married on September 11, 1884, to Jennie Kearney, daughter of James and Eleanor (Hays) Kearney, farmers of New Holland, both of whom have now passed into the great beyond. To Doctor and Mrs. Holdren have been born four children : Floyd, the son of the family, is a graduate of the Bloomingburg high school and the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio. He is at present connected with the high schools in Hamilton, this state. His first position was held with the Fort Kearney schools, where he remained one year, when he went to Wapakoneta, Ohio, for two years and from there to East Liverpool, Ohio, for two years and then to his present location. He was prominent in school and college circles and is an enthusiastic member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Shirla died in infancy. Bernice married George L. Borders, of Belle Center, Ohio. Her elementarv education was obtained in the schools of Bloomingburg, where she was graduated from the local high school with a post-graduate period at Washington C. H. high school. She finished her musical education at the Stinson Conservatory of Music, at Washington C. H. and made for herself an enviable name in music circles of this locality. Since her marriage they live at New Richmond, Ohio, where her husband is superintendent of schools. Pauline, the youngest daughter of the house, is at present attending high school.
The entire family is most highly regarded in the community where so many years have been passed and where each in his particular way is striving to better the social, moral and educational life. Doctor Holdren stands high in the regard and estimation of his vast number of acquaintances, which is but a fitting tribute to his years of unselfish devotion to the cause of humanity.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)