By: Mark Holtsberry
Thomas Barzelia Holland was an attorney, one of the leading members of the bar of Paulding County. He was born March 1, 1845, the son of B. A. and Lydia (Osborn) Holland in Lima, Allen County, Ohio. The family living in Lima, Ohio in 1860, gave Thomas an opportunity for him to receive an education in public schools and graduated from high school in Lima, Ohio.
As the country began to go to war with itself, Thomas felt compelled to enlist on August 19, 1861, at the age of 16, (listed himself as 18), 5′-8″, light hair, gray eyes. Thomas found Company H. 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry his home.
His service as a private, was short lived. On, September 24, 1861, at Cheat Mountain, West Virginia, under the direction of a surgeon’s certificate of disability, he was discharged because of sickness, but Thomas would not be denied a chance to serve. On March 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company F. 66th Illinois Infantry, (Gatton’s Home Guard), serving at the rank of Corporal. July 24, 1862 at Corinth, Mississippi, he again was discharged for sickness.
Not giving up, on November 4, 1862, Thomas enlisted in Company K. 118th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, where his father Barton A. Holland, was the Company Captain. Thomas was wounded in the hand and shoulder and discharged. November 8, 1862, found Thomas serving under his father again, in Company A. 180th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve one year.
Promoted September 27, 1864, from Corporal to 2nd Lieutenant. Thomas was discharged July 1, 1865. Returning back home to Lima, Thomas read law with Judge Charles H. Hughes. Thomas was admitted to the bar of Ohio by the Supreme Court August 14, 1869. He began practicing law in Ada, Ohio, in 1870.
On September 24, 1871, in Hardin County, Ohio, Thomas married Mary D. Scott, the daughter of David Scott. July 29, 1873, a son Charles Barton Holland was born in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. In 1874, Thomas and Mary moved to Paulding, Ohio where on October 19, 1874, Thomas was elected Prosecuting Attorney, for a term of two years. He became known as a great trial lawyer.
A daughter, Maud Ray was born in Paulding, September 9, 1875. Thomas became very active in the Paulding Lodge, #577, 1.0.0.F. and Paulding lodge #270, Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Democratic Party. The 1880’s found the Holland family still living in Paulding and his law practice very sound.
January 19, 1892, was a sad day for Thomas and children, as his wife, Mary passed away. She was buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Paulding. On March 1, 1893, Thomas remarried to Harriet (Hattie) Collins. She was born April 30, 1860, in Hicksville, Ohio, the daughter of John and Harriet Collins from Carryall Township.
October 30, 1893, a son, Thomas Barton Holland Jr. was born. (He will go on to serve in World War I). A daughter, Margaret C. Holland was be born June 18, 1900. By 1910, still practicing law, Thomas had purchased farm ground, which became another source of income. By 1920, still practicing law, but aging, Thomas, Hattie and Margaret were still living outside Paulding, what I believe is what we know as Emerald Road.
April 22, 1927, in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, Thomas Barzelia Holland passed away. He is buried with his first wife, Mary in Live Oak Cemetery, Block D, Lot 105, Grave 6. Hattie passed away, January 23, 1941 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is buried with Thomas and Mary, in Live Oak Cemetery.
