The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-27
Clark Holden, One Of Prom
inent Citizens, Dead
FOUNDER OFTROW&HOLDEN
He Had Served as Postmaster and Held
Many other Positions--Wm. Bruce,
Once Granite Manufacturer,
Died Yesterday.

Clark Holden, one Of Barre's best
known residents passed away At two
o'clock Christmas morning at bis home,
"A South Main street Two weeks ago
Friday, he underwent an operation at
the City hospital for hernia, his health
during the past few months having be-
come 50 serious that an operation WAS
the only means of relieving bis suffer
ING, III spite Of bis advanced age, he
stood the operation we'll, and the wound
healed rapidly. The shock Of the opera
ton, 1owever, affected his mind and
though at irst it was not thought that
this wou be serious, as his condtivn
VAS otherwise 50 favorable, it brought
on nervous collapse, and last Friday
evening hopes for bis recovery were
given UP.
The funsral viii be held from the late
home Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock
The Rev. Francis Al Poole Of Worcester
Mass, q former pastor Of the Congrega-
tional church in this city, viii ofiiciais.
The interment viii be in the Elmwood
cemetery.
Mr.. Holden was for many years an
active and well known business man and
when Barre was a village corporation
he held many offices Of trust. He was
WIS years of age. having been born No
yember II. 1884, on farm on the VIII
Jamestown road, Just out of the village
Of South Barre. His father, William
Holden, who died when the son WAS
seven years Of age, was the leading car.
penter in this vicinity in those days, and
built the old Methodist and Congrega
tiouaI churches. the old Thwing house
and many Of the ola brick houses INF
the town. His mothers name was Luz
thera Gale
He received his education IN the dis
trict school and at the Barre academy.
After the death Of his father. lie lived
four years in the family of Israel Wood.
and from there he went to live with
Oryis French and until he became Of age
cIerked III AIr French store, which was
located az that titne whore the Granite
Savings bank now stands
On becoming 81 age, Ne bought ont the
store and conducted the business until
1865. whau he. together wish Ffaak a
stafford, bought the fork shop and esiab
lished the Stafford, holden 4 company
llrm, which was conducted until 1876,
when stock company was formed under
the name Of stafford Holden Manu-
featuring company. Mr.. Holden was
superintendent Of this company until
1885. when f. was appointed postmaster
BIZ President Cleveland. He was post
master al the time the Office was moved
from the Old town hall building into the
opera house building that was burned
in 1898. This position he held for five
years and three months.
IN 1889 MIR Holden and John Trow
established the well known firm of Trow
a Holden. granite tool manufacturers
which business they continued Until July,
1906, when they sold ont 20 Mr. Holden's
son, William Nj Holden, who. on account
Of the business having become too ex
tensiye for the old plant on Granite
street, purchased the old fork shop build
ing and has there the largest and most
modern plant for the manufacture Of
granite tools in the state
Beside being postmaster, Mr.. Holden
was the first clerk and treasurer of Barre
village III 1860, to which Office He was
elected sixteen times He also served
the village as bailifr, Justice Of The peace,
member Of the school board for six yaars,
and for many years was one Of the Gem
terry commissioners. He was town clerk
and treasurer at the time the town bond.
ed to have the Central Vermont railroad
run into the village He was one Of
the oldest Masons in the city and was
tho first secretary 81 Granite lodge. hold
ing that Office for about 10 years He
was one of the organizers Of Torrent
Engine company. No l. the first FIRE
company organized in Barre, and was
its foreman for % years.
On January 9, 1857. he married Miss
Myra D Albee. who survives him, Two
years ago they celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary He also leaves
daughter. Mrs George N. Tilden, and
son. William NJ Holden, Of this city;
brother, George and sister. Mrs
George Whitcomb. Of Clarcmont. n. II.