THOMAS L. HOLLAND
Thomas L. Holland was born in Washington, Ill., February 28, 1838, and was educated in the district schools. He remained on the parental homestead until 1861, going in that year to California, where he spent seven profitable years in the mines. The journey to the Golden State was made by water, the return trip being overland. He moved into the town of Washington in 1887, and has since made this place his home. He has always been an advocate of Republicanism, and has served as Justice of the Peace for one term and School Director for six years.
On January 26, 1869, Mr. Holland was united in marriage to Miss Samaria Schiffer, who was born in September, 1847. The ceremony was celebrated in Marion County, Iowa. Of this union the following three children were born: Charles W., Minina (deceased), and Thomas E.
William Holland, the paternal grandfather, was born in North Carolina in October, 1776, and was the first white settler in Tazewell County, locating there in 1825. He subsequently laid out the city of Peoria. He was the father of twenty-two children and died in 1871.
Lawson Holland, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina. February 24, 1812. He came to Illinois, built the first grist mill in this section of the State in 1827, and in 1834 platted the village of Washington. He owned a farm of 240 acres, which comprised the homestead, and had extensive farms elsewhere. He married Miss Elizabeth Bandy, a native of Kentucky, and they became the parents of nine children.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1025