Romulus D. Holland was born in Marion County, West Virginia on October 2, 1847, the son of Jacob Holland and Emily Tarlton, both natives of W. Virginia as well. The mother died in 1856 and the next year the father moved to Jackson County, Illinois. In 1859, he moved to Williamson County and followed brick making to supply the bricks for the early buildings in the county built in the early 1860’s. About 1870, he moved to Harrisburg where he died on July 5, 1875.
Romulus D. has resided in this county since his father moved here in 1859 where he followed clerking for several years in merchandise and drug stores. After his father moved to Harrisburg, Romulus was found in the 1870 census living with the Monroe and Nannie Goddard family and their 5 children in what is now West Marion Township. Romulus was listed as a 22-year-old grocery keeper. Interestingly, another boarder inside the home at the time staying with the Goddard family was 18-year-old Adele Hundley who R.D. would marry the following year.
On November 1, 1871, he married Adele Hudley, daughter of Dr. Robert M. Hundley, a prominent doctor and businessman of Marion and Colonel of the 128th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War and Harriet Allen. After the marriage, Romulus D., known to his friends as “Tobe” entered into partnership with his father-in-law, Robert M. Hundley known as Hundley & Holland. The business appeared to be a combination grocery/drug store concern that lasted for about five years.
In 1875, Romulus and Adele built a beautiful, large home located at 513 S. Market St. This home would be continuously occupied by their descendants until around 2014.
In 1877, an article in the Leader newspaper stated that the partnership of Hundley and Holland was dissolved and that Hundley would continue the drug business while Holland would take the grocery business. Later in the year a foreclosure announcement was announced against the two and in the following year their goods were sold off at a Sheriff’s sale to James & Joseph Richardson under the company name of Richardson & Co. Another Sheriff’s sale later that year saw goods sold to Leopold S. Ensel.
The 1880 federal census found the couple living in their home on S. Market Street. They had three children in the home, Robert J. 7, Gussie 6 and Bessie aged 2.
After the collapse of the business with his father-in-law, Romulus went into the stock & livery business until July 20, 1885 when U.S. President Cleveland appointed him Marion’s Postmaster which he served as until April 15, 1889.
Romulus served as Marion Alderman in 1896 under Mayor John H. Burnett and again in 1897 under Mayor Brice Holland, his brother.
In the 1900 federal census Romulus then 50 years old and Adele then 45 had one son still living with them named John aged 17. Also with them were Christina Holland a 6 year old granddaughter and a live in servant named Julia Ragsdale aged 24. Romulus was listed as being an oil salesman.
By the 1910 census, Romulus had reached 64 years of age and Adelle was 59. R.D. was still working as a coal oil salesman and they were still in their home on S. Market Street. Their daughter Bessie had passed away in 1908 and her husband and two sons were living in the home. They were Charles W. Hay 37, and sons Charles C. Hay 10 and John Hay aged 8. Julia Ragsdale aged 34, their live-in servant, was still with the family.
Romulus D. Holland passed away on April 15, 1912. Romulus was a member of the local Masonic Lodge and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Marion. Romulus left two brothers, Major Brice Holland and Justice Caleb T. Holland both active Marion citizens and city councilmen. The Hollands had two sons and two daughters in their marriage and three survived along with his wife. Robert Holland of Arlee, Montana, Mrs. J.C. Watson of Farmington, Mo., and John Holland of Marion. A daughter, Bessie, Mrs. Charles W. Hay died here in 1908. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Adele Holland passed away on March 11, 1919 at her home at 513 S. Market St. of Bright’s disease. According to her obit she was survived by one daughter Gussie Watson of Farmington, Mo., sons john Holland who lived with her in Marion and Robert Holland of Missoula, Montana. Her grandchildren were John & Charles Hay of Marion, Mrs. Christina De Donato of St. Louis and Robert & Penelope Holland of Missoula, sister Mrs. Gussie Burton of Salt Lake City and three half-sisters, Mrs. George Goodall, Mrs. Laura Fitzgerald and Miss Nan Hundley, all of Marion. Burial was in Rose Hill.
Notes on Children:
Bessie Holland Hay, born June 10, 1878, married Charles W. Hay who became a prominent local businessman then living in Carbondale on July 14, 1898 at Murray, Kentucky, died March 1, 1908
(Sources: Egyptian Press, The Leader and Marion Daily Republican newspapers, Marion City Street Directories, Federal Census Records, Marion City Cemetery, Williamson County Marriage Records, Boyd’s Tribute book. Compiled by Sam Lattuca 9/1/2023)