Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-11-19
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Horace HOlley, LII. d.

State, was the birth place of the subject O
this memoir. II boasts also of having givel
birth TO many persons who have been high
ly distinguished in our country, and who
still adorn its civil, military and literary
walks. It's iron soil, at once rugged an
fertile, seems to have peculiar adaptation
to the production of vigorous intellect
Glowing patriotism, patient industry, arden,
enterprise, and exuberant fancy, have been
its common Productions. These active en-
erg:es, as exhibited in the character of it's
sons, are diffused throughout the natio .
Its towering mountains, its beautiful lakes.
its luxurian, vallies, though deserted by the
genius they inspired and nurtured, still
claim their share in those ardent aspirations
which sent it forth to an admring world,
and in that affection which, amidst toll and
vicissitude, ever directs its warmest impulses
to the cherished remembrances and dear
scenes Of its birth and infancy. Which of
its sons, on revisiting his native village,
does not direct his eye afar of to the lofty
Tachannac, and the pile of stones which his
boy.hands assisted TO raise as an altar to
fame on its summit? Which of them is
not moved by the sight of the placid Won.
scopomac, with its woods and lawns nd the
little skiff upon its 'waveless mirror or the
ever burning furnace sending up columns
of flame and smoke beyond it. Which Of
them is no, inspired with holy sentiments as
he beholds the dwelling Of his father, with
its orchard and meadow bathed by the lin
pid waters? Which Of them does not feel
his heart glow with religious emotion,
while on Sabbath morning he presses on
with the throng of neatly dressed youths
and maidens, old men and children, and
discovers in the distance,
The village church among the trees
Where first his lisping prayers were given,
Who.e solemn peal still swels the breeze,
Whose taper spire still points to heaven"
LUTHER HoLLEY, Uhe father Of the sub
ject of this memoir,) was descended in a
direct line from Edmund HALEY, eelebra-
ted English philosopher, born the 29th of
October, 1856, in St. Leonard's Parish
Shoreditch, London. His reat-grandfather
came from England and settled in Slratford,
Connecticut, and afterwards removed TO
Stamford in the same State. His grand
father married lady by the name Of Wait.
still Webb, and continued at Stamford until
his children were grown up, when he remov.
ed to Sharon, being one of the first settlers
His second son, John, whose wife's name
was Sarah Lord, was the father of Luther.
Luther was a man Of unusual energy and
enterprise, and rose from comparative in.
digence to circumstances Of independence
and great responsibility. He died in 1926.
HORACE HOLLEY was born in Sails
bury on the 18th of February, 1881. lie
early manifested more than usual degree
of mental vivacity, and, even in childhood
gave indications of high and generous quail
tiles Blessed as birth with a sound an,
healthful frame, no physical infirmitie
checked the expansion of his faculties. Hi
senses were perfect; his perceptions wcr
quick and clear, and his memory retentiv
and ready. Thus qualified 10 learn, he wa
naturally fond Of trying his opening powers
and the acquisition ofnew ideas, from what
ever source, was to him an enjoyment HI
was placed at common district school il
the immediate neighborhood Of his fathers
house, when he was little more than three
years old f.; and the peculiarly rapid progress
which he made in the simple studies suitet
10 his age, proved his aptitude 10 receive in
struclion, and plainly showed that his les
sons were no burden to him.
The first ten years of his life passed i
this way, chiefly at school or in such ligh
labor as was suited to his years, and which
, intermingled with the customary sports {
childhood, served both to deveIope his col
poreal powers, and to give healthful ton
to his mind. With such faculties, and sucl
disposition to use them, he soon becam
familiar with the common rudiments @
knowledge; and as nothing farther was Il
be acquired a, district school, he was per
mitted TO avail himself Of other modes o
gratifying his active spirit. His father, il
addition to the cultivation Of farm, wa
! pretty extensively engaged in country trade
which gave occasion 10 the transportation
of considerable quantities of produce an
merchandise, and to many errands of bust
ness from home. New York was then, a
now, the ultimate market for that quarle
of the country, and intercourse with it the
was, as it S Ill is, carried on through tn
freighting villages on the Hudson river.
drive 10 Redhook, or Rhincoeck, or Pough
keepsie, on smooth road, through a cult
waited and pleasant district, with pair
good horses, under Independent circumsta"
cEs and charoe; mi IN hnSiDeSS, was no re