Venango County Commissioner Oct. 1863 - Aug. 1865

PIT HOLE CITY.~The history of this place seems like a dream of romance. In rapidity of growth and excitement during its short career, it exceeded that of any other town in America. From a single farm house, in May, 1865, it suddenly expanded until, in September of the same year, a period of only five months, it had a population of fifteen thousand. It had its hotels, theatres, lecture halls, churches, and other public buildings, on a grand scale. It is situated on Pit Hole creek, from which it derives its name, about eight miles from its mouth, in Cornplanter township. In January, 1865, the first well was put down, on the Thomas Holmden farm. It was called the United States, and soon produced eight hundred barrels per day. This was far out from other wells. In June the Grant well was struck, flowing at the rate of twelve hundred barrels per day. This incited the country to fever heat. Capitalists rushed in; money flowed as freely as oil itself; and for three months, anything like a correct description of things would seem like fiction. The Holmden farm had been bought by Prather & Duncan, who laid it out in lots. These lots brought large prices; one of them $15,000. At the height of the fever the Holmden farm was sold for $1,300,000, and resold for $1,600,000. But business began to decline. The oil belt was found to be merely a small basin amid the rocks, and was soon drained. The town was deserted; property declined in value; the buildings that had been erected at great expense were removed to Pleasantville, Oil City, and Franklin; until the proud city became but an humble hamlet, sitting down to dream of its former glory.
Source:The History of Pennsylvania By William H. Egle, M.D., M.A. Published 1883.

Thomas' farm was 180 acres.
Came to Cleveland, Ohio via Allegheny Township, Venango, Pennsylvania probably about 1865. (see 1860 census)

CENSUS: 1850 Tionesta Township, Venango, Pennsylvania, dwelling 1123. Enumerated as Thomas Homden. His brother Walter and wife are in dwelling 1124. His brother John and wife are in dwelling 1126 along with their mother, Sarah, aged 62.

CENSUS: 1880
Thomas HOLMDEN Self M Male W 61 ENG Privateer ENG ENG
Jerusha HOLMDEN Wife M Female W 50 OH Keeping House OH OH
Mary HOLMDEN Dau S Female W 25 PA ENG OH
James MACKEY SSon S Male W 19 OH At School OH OH
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Source Information:
Census Place 12th Ward, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio
Family History Library Film 1255007
NA Film Number T9-1007
Page Number 350A

Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were the guardians of his brother John's two children, Edwin and Lydia.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Thomas
Date: February 4, 1886
Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden- At his late residence, No. 829 Scranton ave., Thomas Holmden, in his 69th year. Funeral Thursday at 2 p. m. Friends of the family are invited to attend. Warren, O., papers please copy. 1817 - 1886. Monroe Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio.

1. 2. Elbridge J. HOLMDEN   b. Apr 1842, ,, Pennsylvania; d. Jul 1926, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 3. Charles W. HOLMDEN   d. Jul 1935, Madison,, Ohio.
3. 4. Lucy Jane HOLMDEN   b. 21 Sep 1844, Cornplanter, Venango, Pennsylvania; d. 24 Dec 1885.
4. 5. Eliza HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1846, ,, Pennsylvania.
5. 6. Henry C. HOLMDEN   b. Aug 1847, ,, Pennsylvania; d. Jan 1919, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
6. 7. Miles W. HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1852, ,, Pennsylvania; d. Jan 1915, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
7. 8. Mary HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1857, ,, Pennsylvania; d. 2 Dec 1903, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
8. 9. Edwin HOLMDEN  
9. 10. Lydia HOLMDEN  

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Elbridge J.
Date: July 19, 1926
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Elbridge J., age 84, beloved husband of Ellen E., father of Thomas J., Lewis E., Jedson B., Mrs. C. W. Gabriel, Mrs. C. M. Nelson, Mrs. R. A. Blood, at his residence, 2972 Scranton Road. Funeral Monday, July 19, at 2 p. m., from the late residence.

1. 11. Elfleda (Effie) HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1867, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 12. Nancy (Nannie) HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1870, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Aug 1883, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
3. 13. Thomas J. HOLMDEN   b. 4 Apr 1871.
4. 14. Ellen Lou HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1873, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
5. 15. Lewis E. HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1876, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 17 Mar 1929, Lakewood, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
6. 16. Annie HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1878, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
7. 17. Judson B. HOLMDEN   b. Dec 1881; d. Jan 1959, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

CENSUS: 1860
Charles W. Holmden is shown in the 1860 Census for Allegheny Township, Venango County, PA. living with Walter Holmden and his family. Charles is shown as having been born in Pennsylvania.

CENSUS 1880
Charles is still living in Venango County.

Moved from Cleveland to Madison, Lake County, Ohio

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Charles W.
Date: Jul 13 1935
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden: Charles W., beloved husband of Electa, father of Mrs. L. E. Ganyard of Cleveland, Mrs. H. E. Morian, Mrs. M. J. Woods of Madison, W. E. Holmden of Flint, Mich., at his home on River St., Madison, O., Friday morning. Funeral Monday, 1:30 p. m., at the residence. Burial in Riverside Cemetery. Cleveland.

1. 18. Della E. HOLMDEN   d. Mar 1934, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 19. Martha P. (Ena) HOLMDEN  
3. 20. Walter E. HOLMDEN  
4. 21. Charles E. HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1883, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
5. 22. Maud Zephorina HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1889, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Jun 1965, East Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
6. 23. Vivian Ivadel HOLMDEN   b. 17 Dec 1894, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
7. 24. Elmer HOLMDEN   b. Of Flint,, Michigan.

1. 25. John H. PRATHER   b. 21 Nov 1866, Plumer, Venango, Pennsylvania.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, H. C.
Date: January 25, 1919
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-H. C., age 72 years, after long illness, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George C. Hobart, Morton, N. Y. Funeral from his late residence, 3619 Denison avenue at 2 p. m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Burial at Scranton Rod cemetery. Friends invited.

1. 26. Grace Clarmore HOLMDEN   b. 11 May 1885, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 21 Apr 1894, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 27. Harland H. HOLMDEN   b. 14 Oct 1889, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Dec 1979, , Dade, Florida.
3. 28. Minnie (Ermmie) Olin HOLMDEN   b. 22 Nov 1876, Geneva, Ashtabula, Ohio.
4. 29. Herbert HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1875, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Miles W.
Date: 1/26/1915
Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: 1850 - 1/26/1915. Woodland Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio.

1. 30. George T. HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1874, Of Geneva, Ashtabula, Ohio.
2. 31. Ella I. HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1878, Of Geneva, Ashtabula, Ohio.
3. 32. Lucretia HOLMDEN  

OBIT: Name: Craig, Mary Holmden
Date: December 4, 1903
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #017.
Notes: Craig-Mary Holmden, beloved wife of W. E. Craig, passed away Wednesday afternoon, December 2. Funeral from residence, 515 Cedar ave., on Friday at 2:30 p. m., standard time. Burial private.

This may be the "Lyde Holmden" who married Leonard Gurley Foster.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Nannie L.
Date: Aug. 3, 1883
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Nannie L. Holmden, daughter of E. J. and Ellen E. Holmden, aged 14 years, 8 months and 17 days. The funeral will take place Friday at 2 p. m., at the residence, No. 827 Scranton ave. Friends of the family invited to be present.

1. 33. Thomas E. HOLMDEN   b. 23 Oct 1901, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Jun 1944, Lakewood, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 34. David Richard HOLMDEN  

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Louis E.
Date: Mar 18 1929
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Louis E., beloved husband of Florence Kent, father of Kent L. and Louis E., jr., and brother of Mrs. C. W. Gabriel, Mrs. C. W. Nelson, Mrs. R. A. Blood, T. J. and J. B. Holmden, at his residence, 1510 Clarence Avenue, Lakewood, at 3 p. m., March 17. Funeral at 3:30 p. m. Wednesday, March 20, from his late residence.

1. 35. [infant] HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1903, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 13 Oct 1903, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 36. Lucille A. HOLMDEN   b. 1905, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 20 Apr 1915, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
3. 37. Kent L. HOLMDEN   b. 1 Jul 1908, , Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 11 Nov 1996, Wadsworth, Wayne, Ohio.
4. 38. Lois Gertrude HOLMDEN, [infant]   b. 1910, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. 16 Oct 1911, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
5. 39. Louis E. HOLMDEN, Jr.   b. 11 Oct 1911; d. Oct 1978.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Judson B.
Date: Jan 9 1953
Source: Cleveland Press; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #118.
Notes: Holmden, Judson B., beloved husband of Gertrude (nee Oelstrom), brother of Mrs. Annie Holmden Blood, Mrs. Ellen Lou Holmden Nelson, residence, 2972 Scranton Rd. Friends may call at the Daniels Funeral Home, 15800 Detroit Ave., where services will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p. m.

OBIT: Name: Daniels, Delia E.
Date: Mar 21 1934
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #018.
Notes: Daniels: Delia E., age 59 years, mother of Archie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Holmden, sister of Elmer of Flint, Mich.; Maude Morlan, Vivian Wood of Madison, O.; Mrs. Ena Ganyard, Cleveland, O. Funeral Friday, March 23, Madison, O., 1 p. m. Services Riverside Cemetery, Cleveland, 3:30 p. m.

1. 40. Julia Ellen DANIELS, [infant]   b. 1909, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Jul 1910, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 41. Archie DANIELS  

1. 42. Walter HOLMDEN   d. Sep 1929, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. 43. Beatrice Ann HOLMDEN   b. Abt 1917, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; d. Nov 1937, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
3. 44. Lucille HOLMDEN  
4. 45. Wilbert HOLMDEN  

OBIT: Name: Morlan, Maude H.
Date: Jun 16 1965
Source: Cleveland Press; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #137.
Notes: Morlan. Maude H. Morlan (nee Holmden), beloved wife of the late Howard E., late residence, 1732 Holyoke Ave., East Cleveland, dear mother of Robert, beloved sister of Mrs. Vivian Wood, and grandmother. Memorial services, Austin Memorial Chapel, Windermere Methodist Church, Thursday at 1 P. M. Funeral services 4 P. M. Thursday at Behm Funeral Home, Madison, O., where friends may call 2-4 And 7-9 P. M. Wednesday.

1. 46. Robert MORLAN  

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Grace Clarmore
Date: April 25, 1894
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden- Saturday evening, April 21, of congestion of the lungs, Grace Clarmore Holmden, daughter of H. C. and Mary O. Holmden, aged 8 years 11 months and 10 days. Funeral Wednesday, Apr. 25, at 2:30 p. m. (sun time), from residence, No. 697 Castle ave. Friends invited.

OBIT:
HOLMDEN, HARLAND : -il (Obit.).Plain Dealer 15 Dec, 1979, pg. 10 sec. B
HOLMDEN, HARLAND : Husband of Josephine (Obit.).Plain Dealer 16 Dec, 1979, pg. 05 sec. AA
HOLMDEN, HARLAND : (Obit.).Cleveland Press 17 Dec, 1979, pg. 07 sec. D

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Thomas E.
Date: Jun 20 1944
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden: Thomas E., beloved husband of Ted (Sarah); brother of David Richard; son of the late Thomas and Lena. Friends may call at the Wm. R. & Roy A. Daniels Funeral Home, 15800 Detroit ave. Services and burial private, Tuesday, at 2:45 p. m.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Infant daughter
Date: October 14, 1903
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Holmden, October 13, at residence
201 Newell Ave.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Lucille A.
Date: April 22, 1915
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Lucille A., aged 10 years, beloved daughter of Louis E. and Florence K. Holmden, Tuesday April 20, at 10:30 a. m. Funeral Thursday, Apr. 22, at 2:30 p. m., from late residence, 5701 Quinby ave. Burial at Riverside.

OCCUPATION: State Auditor.

OBIT: Kent L Holmden, 88, state auditor, manager-ObitPlain Dealer 14 Nov, 1996, pg. 13 sec. B
HOLMDEN, KENT L: Grandfather of Jennifer Mills-ObitPlain Dealer 12 Nov, 1996, pg. 10 sec. B

OBIT: KENT L. HOLMDEN, 88, STATE AUDITOR, MANAGER
Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH)November 14, 1996
Kent L. Holmden retired in 1978 after 10 years as an auditor for the state of Ohio.
He previously was the administrator and business manager of Shaker Medical Center Hospital.

OBIT: Mr. Holmden, 88, of West Salem, died Monday at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital.

OBIT: The Cleveland native graduated from Lakewood High School and Ohio State University. He also attended Western Reserve University.

OBIT: Mr. Holmden's wife, Jane; son, Thomas; and daughter, Sally Phillips, all are deceased.

OBIT: Survivors include his grandchildren, Jennifer Mills of Chicago, Katherine Molena of Liverpool Township, Christopher Phillips and Kerry Phillips, both of Strongsville, Kathleen Smith of Lodi and Kevin Phillips of Medina; and five great-grandchildren.

OBIT: Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Matteson Funeral Home, 40 Congress St., West Salem.
Edition: FINAL / ALLSection: METROPage: 13BColumn: OBITUARIES
Dateline: WEST SALEM

1. 47. Kent Thomas HOLMDEN   b. 28 Jun 1944; d. Mar 1969.
2. 48. Sally HOLMDEN  

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Lois Gertrude
Date: October 18, 1911
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Lois Gertrude, daughter of Florence K. and Louis E. Holmden, suddenly Oct. 16, at the age of 1 years. Funeral from the residence of E. J. Holmden, 2972 Scranton rd., Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 2 p. m.

OBIT: Name: Daniels, Julia Ellen
Date: August 1, 1910
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #018.
Notes: Daniels-Julia Ellen, 10 months old, daughter of Irving and Delia Daniels. Funeral 10 o'clock Monday morning from the home, 3877 W. 37th st.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Walter ?
Date: Sep 6 1929
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden-Walter ? beloved son of Lucille and the late Charles, brother of Beatrice, entered into rest Thursday a. m. Remains at Robert K. Huber's Funeral Home, 2709 Archwood Avenue, Services from the Archwood Avenue Congregational Church, Saturday, Sept. 7, at 2:30 p. m. Burial at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery.

OBIT: Name: Holmden, Beatrice Ann
Date: Nov 14 1937
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #038.
Notes: Holmden: Beatrice Ann, age 18 years; 3808 W. 33d st.; beloved daughter of Lucille and the late Charles, sister of the late Walter, Lucille and Wilbert; Friday a. m. Funeral from Spaulding's Funeral Home, 2704 Denison ave., Monday, 4 p. m.