My Genealogy Hound

Edward F. Holderness, who since 1894 has been engaged in the grocery business at Creston, while since 1871 he has made his home here, was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, March 21, 1853. His father, John Holderness, was a native of England and when a young man came to America. He was married in Ogdensburg, New York, to Miss Caroline Crawford, also a native of England. He became a farmer and after following that pursuit for a time in the east removed westward to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring there when he was fifty-five years of age. His political support was unfalteringly given to the republican party and both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church.

Edward F. Holderness was one of a family of twelve children, ten of whom are yet living. His boyhood days were passed in Wisconsin and at the age of fifteen he left home in order to take his initial step in the business world. He was first employed as brakeman on the Union Pacific Railroad, running out of Omaha, Nebraska, for two years. In 1871 he came to Creston and for twenty-two years thereafter was employed as a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Desirous of entering the field of merchandising, in 1894 he established a grocery at his present location and he now owns his store, which is a fine brick building on Montgomery street. He has it supplied with a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and is accorded a liberal patronage in recognition of the excellent grade of goods which he carries, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his unfailing courtesy.

Mr. Holderness was married in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Miss Catherine Irvin, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John and Mary Irvin, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Holderness have three children: Carrie, at home, Nellie, who is assisting in the management and conduct of her father’s store; and Catherine, a student of Lake Forest, Illinois.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Holderness is a Mason and also an Elk. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is interested in community affairs to the extent of giving active and helpful cooperation to many measures for the public good. That he has efficiently served as a member of the school board of Creston is evidenced by his re-election to that position in the spring of 1908 for a term of three years and has been chosen president of the same. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and does all in his power to advance material, intellectual and moral progress in the community. In his business he has aimed not merely to increase in sales but to improve its character, personnel and service and so approach an ideal business standard. He meets competition in a rivalry of merit rather than in a war of prices, and the business is at all times permeated by a spirit of courtesy, thoroughness, enthusiasm, energy and progressiveness.