Hello Readers! My favorite month, and fall is in the air. Talked with Theresa Holladay about a writeup on George Blanton and some of the information in the column. She got in touch with Carolyn Warden who said it would be all right to write about him.
John M. Holladay was born August 22, 1873, to George Washington and Catherine Crider Holladay. John M. Holladay was a lieutenant in company "C" 55th Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A., in the Civil War. He lost his right arm in action. He was prominent in public life, serving as tax collector and as county clerk of Benton County, also postmaster at Holladay, 1887-1896. During the later part of his life, he was engaged in the mercantile business and in farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Holladay had four children. He died February 18, 1898. John and wife Rachel Mathews Holladay are buried in the Mathews Cemetery, located in what was once Chaseville, Tenn., two miles east of Holladay.
One of their children was George Blanton, born February 24, 1873. He married Mary E. Bryd December 27, 1892. George Received his early education in the public schools of his native town and later attended the Holladay Independent Normal School, from which he was graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science. After that he taught one term in one of the public schools, but then entered the mercantile business joining his father. Their business was located at Mt. Carmel. The stock of goods was one of the largest and best carried in the country. The business was conducted in two buildings, one for dry goods, etc., and the other was for grocery etc. The name Mt. Carmel was changed to Holladay on February 23, 1887. After his father's death George continued the business, adding the manufacture of staves and other lumber products. He served as a member of the Benton Co. Fiance Committee, and was a justice of the peace. In 1902 he moved to Camden and bought Captain R.W. Ayres tobacco factory. He also served as Circuit Clerk. Then he entered the real estate and insurance business. In 1919 he was appointed land appraiser for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway until 1920. He was appointed clerk and master of Chancery Court. He served as land appraiser for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Co. during 19221-22 and for the Tennessee Central Railway Co. during 1925-27,. He was a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church and member of the board there. Mr. "Blanty" Holladay spent much of his last years preparing informal historical sketches about Benton County.
Mr. George Blanton "Blanty" Holladay departed this life May 19, 1968. His remains are buried in the Camden City Cemetery.
Friends are our lives pieced together by love, tears, and joy.
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